NAGA CITY, Camarines Sur — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and former Vice President (now Naga City Mayor) Leni Robredo held a rare face-to-face meeting on Saturday, February 21, 2026. While both leaders insisted the meeting was strictly about governance, the optics were heavy with political significance.
The meeting took place just days after Vice President Sara Duterte announced her intention to run for the presidency in 2028, leading many to speculate about a potential Marcos-Robredo alignment.
Key Highlights of the Visit:
- “Politisocks” Diplomacy: In a viral moment, President Marcos showed off his pink socks, worn in honor of Mayor Robredo. Robredo, who was wearing a pink blouse, laughed at the gesture. Marcos noted this was the “most political thing” he did during the trip.
- ₱500 Million Grant: The President handed over a ₱500-million Special Allotment Release Order for the retrofitting and modernization of the Jesse M. Robredo Coliseum. The funds will upgrade the facility to better serve as a regional logistics hub and evacuation center, including the addition of a community kitchen and improved sanitation.
- Flood Mitigation: The primary purpose of the visit was to inspect “Oplan Kontra Baha,” a pilot flood control program for the Bicol River Basin. The leaders visited the silted Magaya-gaya Creek to review ongoing works aimed at protecting Naga from chronic inundation.
- No Talk of 2028: Both leaders flatly dismissed questions about the 2028 elections. Robredo, who has been mayor for less than a year after winning in the 2025 midterms, stated that discussing politics now would be a “disservice to the people.” Marcos echoed this, saying the focus remains on “service first.”
Despite their history as fierce rivals in the 2016 and 2022 elections, Robredo noted that there was “no trace of rancor” during their lengthy conversation. This was only their third face-to-face meeting in a decade.