Palace: Marcos to be accompanied by Leni Robredo in Naga City visit

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will visit Naga City on Saturday, February 21, where he is expected to meet with former presidential rival and now Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo, Palace press officer Claire Castro announced Thursday.

Castro said the visit will focus on the government’s “Oplan Kontra Baha” project, which is set to be implemented in Naga City.

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“The personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are currently busy cleaning the drainage canals, esteros, and river in Naga City. That is what our President will be visiting, and it is true that he will visit and will be accompanied by the mayor, Leni Robredo, of Naga City in February 2021, on Saturday,” Castro, speaking in Filipino, said at a briefing.

When asked whether Marcos and Robredo will engage in discussions beyond the anti-flood activity, Castro said it is best to wait and see.

“That’s what you should watch out for. That is the only information provided because the President is just starting the Oplan Kontra Baha, and one of the areas he is focusing on is Naga City. So, that’s all. As for what else they will discuss, we’ll just have to wait and see,” Castro said.

Too early for politics talk

Castro added that it is too early to discuss alliances or other matters related to the 2028 elections, even if some analysts have already mentioned Robredo as a potential strong candidate against Vice President Sara Duterte, who announced her presidential bid at a press conference on Wednesday.

“There really hasn’t been any discussion about campaigning or who might be a candidate in 2028. It’s not yet the time—it’s still too early for anyone to announce whether they will run or not. It’s too early for politicking. There are so many things that need to be addressed in our country, many interests of our fellow citizens that need attention,” Castro said.

“So, it’s still too early to talk about who will run in 2028,” she added.

READ: Leni Robredo proclaimed winner in Camarines Sur

In 2022, Robredo ran for the presidency but lost to Marcos, earning only 14.8 million votes—less than half of Marcos’ 31 million votes.

She later ran in the May 2025 elections and was proclaimed mayor of Naga City, becoming the first woman to hold the position. /mr