NAGA CITY — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. brushed aside talk of political alliances and the 2028 elections during his visit to Naga, joking about his pink socks for former Vice President Leni Robredo but underscoring that the trip was focused on flood relief, not politics.
Marcos led the inspection of ongoing operations under Oplan Kontra Baha at Sagop Creek in Barangay Triangulo on Saturday, Feb. 21, stressing that the trip had been planned months in advance to tackle worsening inundation in the Bicol region.
Asked if he was open to forging alliances with Leni Robredo, Marcos brushed off the speculation. “Alam mo, hindi namin pinag-uusapan yun… serbisyo muna bago politikaMarcos,” he said.
The President lightened the moment with a quip: “The most political thing that we did today, I wore my pink socks in honor of Mayor Leni,” he said, drawing laughter as he gestured to his footwear.
Marcos emphasized that his visit was not politically motivated, noting that he had instructed Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon and Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo months earlier to assess the flood situation.
His remarks came just days after Vice President Sara Duterte announced her intention to run for president in 2028. Marcos downplayed the move, saying, “Nothing really. That’s her choice.”
He assured local government units that national support would be based on need, not political ties. “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 only depends on the need, and that’s why we are here today.”
Marcos added that the flood issue in Naga had been flagged during an earlier inspection of the Maharlika Highway rehabilitation project, where local officials raised concerns about worsening inundation in the area. (Argyll Geducos)
