Marcos-Robredo meet a step to healing - Escudero

Metro Manila, Philippines — The brief encounter between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former Vice President Leni Robredo is a significant step towards healing after the divisive 2022 elections, Senate President Chiz Escudero said on Thursday.

Marcos and Robredo shook hands in a holding area ahead of the inauguration of the Sorsogon Sports Arena. Robredo was with former Senator Bam Aquino during the meet and greet.

Escudero said he invited Robredo to welcome the president, adding that the meeting between Marcos and Robredo was "symbolic."

“Alalahan niyo, naglaban-laban kami ng 2016 kung maaalala niyo for vice president. Naglaban sila for president noong 2022. Nanalo si VP Leni noong 2016, nanalo naman si Pangulong Marcos noong 2022. So, kaming tatlo actually may kasaysayan. Para sa akin, symbolic yun dahil sa sports arena kami nagkasama-sama. An odd trio, di ba?” said Escudero.

[Translation: Remember, we fought against each other in 2016, if you recall, for vice president. They fought for president in 2022. VP Leni won in 2016, and President Marcos won in 2022. So, the three of us actually have a history. For me, it's symbolic because we all came together at a sports arena. An odd trio, right?]

The senator said the facility is a reminder that, similar to sports, politics has a winner and a loser, and people should learn to accept defeat.

Escudero said Marcos and Robredo did not talk.

“Unang hakbang tungo sa paghilom ng kung anumang sugat, anumang hindi pagkakaunawaan. Dahil alalahanin ninyo, anumang debate o pagkakaiba namin ng pananaw ay political, hindi personal,” said Escudero.

[Translation: The first step towards healing any wound or misunderstanding. Because, remember, any debate or difference in our views is political, not personal.]

Escudero said the original plan was for Robredo to join Marcos on stage during the inauguration, but the former vice president had to return to Naga - where she is running for mayor - for a prior engagement.

In a separate statement, Aquino described the interaction with Marcos as "cordial." The Aquino and Marcos families also have a history of political feud.