Speculation over a possible political alignment surfaced this week as President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. is scheduled to travel to Naga City, but Mayor Leni Robredo dismissed any suggestion that the meeting would venture into electoral matters.
The two officials are expected to meet on Saturday in connection with the rollout of Oplan Kontra Baha in Naga City, Camarines Sur, part of broader government efforts to address flooding concerns. The planned visit comes amid heightened political chatter following Vice President Sara Duterte’s declaration that she intends to seek the presidency in 2028.
Robredo maintained that the agenda would center strictly on governance. “Ako, sigurado akong hindi siya magbi-bring up ng politics kasi alam ko na trabaho ‘yung sadya niya dito,” she said in an interview aired on 24 Oras.
She stressed that her attention remains fixed on local concerns rather than national political developments. “Hindi ’to pulitika, at saka ang layo pa ng election. Hindi pa nga ako nagwa-one year sa puwesto ko, di pa umiinit yung upuan ko, tapos pulitika na agad… Magtrabaho muna tayo,” Robredo said.
“Sobrang focused ako sa mga problema ng Naga. ‘Yung farthest from my mind ‘yung mga pag-uusap sa Maynila. Ang primary obligation ko ay yung trabahong pinag-applyan ko. Malayo pa yung eleksyon,” she added.
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro clarified during a Thursday briefing that the President’s February 21 visit is tied to flood mitigation initiatives. She also urged the public to avoid reading political motives into the engagement.
“Huwag munang gumawa ng imahinasyon. Mag-focus sa kanyang-kanyang trabaho para hindi maligaw sa tamang mithiin… Tumigil muna ang lahat sa pamumulitika,” Castro said.
