Vice President Sara Duterte announced that she is eyeing a meeting with her predecessor, former Vice President Leni Robredo, when she visits Naga, Camarines Sur, for the upcoming Peñafrancia festival.
Speaking in a chance interview in The Hague, Netherlands, Duterte said she intends to attend the celebration upon returning to the Philippines. “We haven’t finalized our schedule yet. But yes, we would like to meet with the local government officials not only of Naga but of the entire Bicol Region, if the schedule permits,” she said.
She clarified that her main purpose is to join Bicolanos in prayer and thanksgiving. “But mainly, we are there to celebrate with the Bicolanos, to pray with them during their biggest festival, the Peñafrancia Festival,” Duterte added.
The Vice President also noted she will take part in smaller gatherings with various groups in the region. “We will have small sectoral gatherings there to discuss issues in Bicol, which I’m sure has also fallen victim to corruption in government projects,” she said.
The Peñafrancia festival, recognized as Asia’s largest Marian celebration, is held annually every third Sunday of September in honor of Our Lady of Peñafrancia.
Duterte’s planned attendance comes as she earlier disclosed a scheduled trip to Japan on September 21–22, days before the International Criminal Court’s confirmation of charges hearing against her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, set on September 23.
