Marcos, Robredo meet, shake hands in another arena

(UPDATES) SORSOGON CITY, Sorsogon — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former vice president Leni Robredo met on the sidelines of the inauguration of the Sorsogon Sports Arena here on Thursday. Robredo and her political ally, former senator Bam Aquino, were among the former and current government officials who greeted Marcos upon his arrival at the sports arena. During their face-to-face encounter, Marcos briefly shook hands with Robredo, who was in pink, her election campaign color. In a chance interview, Senate President Francis Escudero said he invited Robredo to join them as she is a Bicolana and he toured her in Sorsogon's museum, the People's Mansion, and their provincial disaster risk reduction and management office. "We invited a lot of people but they left early. Former vice president Robredo opted to stay and wait for the President to welcome him," Escudero said. "But you know her, she doesn't like hogging the limelight so I let her decide what she wanted to do," he added. Escudero described the meeting between Marcos and Robredo as "symbolic," saying this could be the start of "healing" amid their political differences. "For me it is symbolic because we, the odd trio, met here at the sports arena. They just exchanged pleasantries. I think this is the first step toward healing whatever wound or misunderstanding they have," Escudero said. "Remember, our differences are political, not personal. So that's easier to cure," he added. Escudero also recalled their encounter when he, the President and Robredo attended a debate for the 2016 vice presidential elections. "Remember that we all fought for the vice presidency in 2016 and then they (Robredo and Marcos) both ran for president in 2022. VP Leni won in 2016 and President Marcos won in 2022. So the three of us have history," he said. Escudero said he believed that the short exchange between his former rivals was something politicians could learn from. "As they say, in politics, let us practice sportsmanship — following the rules and regulations and wholeheartedly accepting the result of the competition," he said. Escudero said Robredo was supposed to sit with them on stage but had to leave as she was running late for her next commitment in Naga where she is running for mayor in 2025. "She just waited for President Marcos before she left for Naga," Escudero said. "She didn't use a plane or a chopper. It's a three-hour car ride for her. So she just wanted to make sure she'll make it to Naga," he added. Marcos, in his speech at the inauguration, noted the importance of unity in driving progress, regardless of political differences. "We could have opposing beliefs and opinions but I know that we are one in our goal to improve the lives of every Filipino," Marcos said. "That's why I'm hoping for the support of Filipinos. Through your help, we can attain our goals to develop our country," he added. This was the first meeting of the President and Robredo since the 2022 presidential elections.‌ Marcos and Robredo were stiff rivals both in the 2016 vice presidential race, and into the May 2022 presidential race. Marcos lost to Robredo in 2016, but overwhelmingly won the 2022 elections against her. The Bicol Region is a known bailiwick of Robredo, who is now running for mayor in Naga City, Camarines Sur in the 2025 midterm elections. Last month, Vice President Sara Duterte also had a "personal meeting" with Robredo in Naga City while attending a religious festival.