ASEANEWS HEADLINE-2028 PH NATIONAL ELECTION | MANILA: Marcos: No politics in Naga
MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos did not talk about politics or a possible alliance with Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo during his visit to his former political rival’s bailiwick yesterday, but the Chief Executive wore pink socks in honor of the local chief executive.
Accompanied by Robredo and other officials, Marcos inspected the implementation of Oplan Kontra Baha, an ongoing flood control initiative by the administration which involves waterways clearing and cleaning operations to reduce flooding in the city.
Marcos first visited the Jesse M. Robredo Coliseum (JMRC), named after Robredo’s late husband, then proceeded to Sagop Creek in Barangay Triangulo to personally inspect dredging, waste-clearing and cleaning activities in the area.
“You know we did not talk about that. You know, I think the mayor will agree with me that service first before politics,” Marcos told reporters when asked about a possible alliance with the former vice president.
“The most political thing that we did today, I wore my pink socks,” the President said laughing as he showed his pink socks to Robredo and other guests.
“My pink socks in honor of Mayor Leni,” Marcos said.
Pink was Robredo’s campaign color.
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Marcos lost to Robredo in the 2016 vice presidential race but won in their rematch in the presidential race six years later.
“There is a lot – a lot more to do. We still have a lot to do. So, we will get there. We will get there,” he said.
A political scientist has floated the idea of Marcos endorsing Robredo for 2028 to defeat his former ally-turned-arch critic, Vice President Sara Duterte, who earlier announced her presidential bid.
Malacañang on Friday said it “respects” the suggestion but it is “untimely.”
Marcos on Sara, Imee
Marcos also had a brief response when asked about Duterte’s presidential bid in 2028.
“Nothing really. It’s that – that’s her choice,” Marcos said about his former running mate’s pronouncement.
Asked about the idea of his sister, Sen. Imee Marcos, becoming Duterte’s running mate, “Again – again, this is all politics. I’m not going to – we’re not going to discuss politics now.”
“What we are here for is to try and find solutions to this very important problem, the very critical problem that we have not only here in Naga City but also in CamSur (Camarines Sur). And for that matter, for the whole of Bicol. That’s the – that’s what we are concentrating on,” the President said.
Renovation
During the visit, Marcos formally turned over a Special Allotment Release Order or SARO worth P500 million to fund the retrofitting and modernization of the JMRC.
The budget includes the installation of a community kitchen capable of feeding thousands during disasters, improvements to sanitation facilities, roofing system upgrades and structural strengthening.
The funds would also cover the enhancements of the drainage system to prevent flooding and the addition of dedicated medical response areas for emergencies.
Built in 2010, the coliseum – widely known as the “Big Dome of the South” – can accommodate 12,000 people seated and up to 15,000 for standing-room events. It regularly hosts basketball games, concerts, school tournaments and major cultural gatherings in the region.
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Over the years, the JMRC has served as a critical evacuation and relief center, which withstood powerful typhoons, including Super Typhoon Rolly and Typhoon Kristine, as well as several earthquakes, without sustaining major structural damage.
Address flooding
Marcos further dismissed speculations of possible coalition, saying his visit to Robredo’s hometown had long been planned.
“Because this has really become critical, especially with the storms that came in. Then we – I already instructed Sec. Vince and Sec. Ping to look at the situation here because, you know, we – of course, we know that Bicol is always the pathway of the storms,” Marcos said, referring to Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon and Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling.
“But the problem that they – the immediate problem that we saw, the change in pattern that we saw, is the heavy rain. It used to not be that much,” he said.
Marcos said he was told by Robredo that some areas that previously did not experience flooding are now being affected, attributing it to environmental changes and the increasing impact of climate change.
Robredo told Marcos they had experienced a huge amount of rain, surpassing that of tropical cyclones Ondoy and Yolanda.
Marcos said a long-term approach is necessary to address flooding in the city.
After visiting Sagop Creek, the President proceeded to Sitio Magaya-gaya Creek in Barangay Concepcion Pequeña to also inspect ongoing dredging and clearing operations in the area.
The Oplan Kontra Baha operations in Naga City began on Feb. 18 and are scheduled to be completed on July 31. The initiative covers 29 rivers and creeks and two lakes, handling a total water volume of 26,621,370.51 cubic meters.
The project also includes cleaning and clearing the city’s drainage system, which spans 250.51 kilometers, with 75,152.19 cubic meters of sediment slated for removal.
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Asked whether the public can expect him to conduct more visits to Robredo’s hometown to support such projects, Marcos said the national government is here to help.
“So, as you know, I came from the local government so I have great sympathy for the situations of local government… the cities, the provinces, the towns, the municipalities. So whoever comes to us for help, we will do what we can to help,” he said.
“There is not an increase, there is not a decrease. It’s not political. It’s only because it depends on the need and that’s why we are here today,” he said.
Marcos said he is likely to return to Naga to inspect the completion of the project.
“We’ll bring you back here, especially Maharlika Highway… In fact, many of the problems were identified because of our inspection of the Maharlika Highway rehabilitation and repair,” he said.
