In a rare moment of unity, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and former Vice President Leni Robredo met and briefly shook hands at the inauguration of the Sorsogon Sports Arena on Thursday. The event, which brought together notable political figures, marked a significant encounter between two former rivals.
Robredo, accompanied by former Senator Bam Aquino, welcomed Marcos at the event. The invitation extended by Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero aimed to reflect the unity of the Bicol region. In his remarks, Escudero expressed hope that the exchange could be a step toward healing political divisions. “They just greeted each other,” he said. “I think this is the first step towards healing any wound… Our differences were merely political, not personal.”
In his speech, Marcos emphasized the importance of unity to achieve effective governance. “We may have differing beliefs and opinions, but we share a common goal—to uplift the lives of every Filipino,” he stated in Filipino.
The two politicians previously faced off in the 2016 vice-presidential race, where Robredo emerged victorious by a narrow margin. Marcos later won the 2022 presidential election. Despite their political history, their brief encounter at the sports arena is seen as a symbolic gesture of reconciliation.
Robredo, who is set to run for mayor of Naga City in 2025, left the event early to attend another engagement. As Escudero noted, “She just waited for President Marcos to arrive before leaving for Naga.”