October 18, 2024 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Years after the political landscape was shaken by the bitter exchanges between their supporters, President Marcos and erstwhile political rival, former vice president Leni Robredo, shook hands in Sorsogon, a development seen by Senate President Francis Escudero as the start of “healing.”
Robredo was among the prominent personalities who welcomed Marcos yesterday during the inauguration of the Sorsogon Sports Arena, a four-story facility that can accommodate up to 20,000 people and can serve as a venue for international and local events.
She was accompanied by former senator Bam Aquino, who served as her campaign manager during the 2022 presidential race, which saw Marcos winning by landslide with more than 31 million votes. Robredo was Marcos’ closest rival during that election, garnering more than 15 million votes.
Clad in pink polo, her campaign color two years ago, Robredo smiled as she shook hands and briefly exchanged greetings with Marcos. After the very brief interaction, Marcos greeted and hugged House Deputy Speaker and Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar, one of the senatorial bets of the administration coalition for the 2025 midterm polls.
“I invited her (Robredo) to welcome the President (on) behalf of Bicol,” Escudero said.
According to Escudero, who served as governor of Sorsogon, the encounter between Marcos and Robredo was “symbolic,” noting that he too was an opponent of the two political figures.
“Remember, we were rivals in 2016, if you remember, for vice president. They (Marcos and Robredo) ran for president in 2022. VP (Vice President) Leni won in 2016, if you recall, while President Marcos won in 2022 as president. So the three of us, actually, have a history,” the Senate president said.
“For me, that is symbolic because we were together in a sports arena, an odd trio. Maybe politicians can learn something from what happened in the sports coliseum of Sorsogon. In politics, we have to remember, even in sports, to follow the rules and regulations, to accept gracefully whoever wins,” he added.
Escudero said Marcos and Robredo did not talk about anything but expressed belief that their interaction would start the “healing of wounds.”
“They just greeted each other. I think this is the first step towards the healing of wounds or whatever misunderstanding. Whatever debate or differences in views are political, not personal. That is easier to heal. That is easier to fix than personal ones,” he said.
During the race for the vice presidency in 2016, Robredo won by a narrow margin, obtaining 14.41 million votes against Marcos’ 14.15 million votes. Sen. Alan Cayetano placed third with 5.9 million votes while Escudero was fourth with 4.9 million votes.
While Marcos did not mention Robredo in his speech, he cited the need for Filipinos to unite despite differences in views.
“We may have differences in beliefs and opinions but I know we are united by one goal — to raise the level of life of each Filipino. That’s why I am counting on the support of Filipinos. With your help, I know we can achieve our goal for the development of the country,” the President said in Filipino.
Escudero revealed that Robredo was supposed to join Marcos on stage during the inauguration of the arena. However, the scenario did not materialize because the former vice president had to catch an appointment in Naga.
“She (Robredo) was supposed to join us briefly on stage and watch the synchronized dancing that was prepared (by organizers). But she was running late for her next appointment in Naga because she is running for mayor and she was supposed to attend an event with their bishop in the cathedral and she cannot be late,” the Senate president said.
“In fact, she just waited for President Marcos to arrive before traveling back to Naga. She did not have a plane or a chopper. She had to travel by car. The trip lasts for three hours,” he added.
In September, Vice President Sara Duterte, who resigned as education secretary amid souring relations with the Marcoses, visited Robredo in Naga. However, Robredo clarified that no politics was involved in the visit, which coincided with the festival in honor of Our Lady of Peñafrancia. – Marc Jayson Cayabyab
