Marcos, Leni to meet in Naga on Feb. 21

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. and former Vice President Leni Robredo are set to meet over the weekend for the implementation of Oplan Kontra Baha in Naga City, Camarines Sur.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro told reporters in a press briefing on Thursday that Marcos' scheduled visit to Naga City on Saturday, February 21, is in relation to the government's flood mitigation measures. 

'''Yung Oplan Kontra Baha ay pinasimulan na po sa Naga City ng ating Pangulo. Busy po ngayon ang kawani ng DPWH para linisin ang mga kanal at estero sa Naga City. 'Yan po ang bibisitahin ng Pangulo at totoo po na bibisita po siya at makakasama niya po ang Mayor Leni Robredo ng Naga City,'' Castro said.

(The President directed the start of Oplan Kontra Baha in Naga City. The officials of the DPWH are busy cleaning the esteros in Naga City. The President will inspect that, and it's true that he'll be meeting Mayor Leni Robredo of Naga City.)

She said no information yet was given if the two will discuss political plans.

Castro, dressed in pink, was also asked about whether the administration has been taking steps to "court" Robredo for the national elections in 2028.

Pink was the campaign color of Robredo when she ran for president in 2022. 

''Wala po! Ang kulay na sinuot ko ngayon ay wala pong kaugnayan sa anumang politika. Wala pong anumang update kung nililigawan ang sinuman dahil ang sabi nga po natin kahapon po ay wala pa po sa isipan ng Pangulo at ng administrasyon na ito ang patungkol sa pamumulitika o humanap ng sinumang kandidato para sa 2028,'' Castro said.

(None. The color that I'm wearing right now has no connection to politics. There's no update if the administration is courting anyone since the President and the entire administration is not thinking about politics at this time nor its candidates for 2028.)

''Darating po ang panahon na iyan. Sa ngayon po, ang tutok po ng Pangulo ay trabaho, ‘ayan po, ayusin ang mga isyu patungkol sa baha at ang pag-angat po ng ekonomiya ng bansa,'' she added. 

(That time will come. Right now, the focus of the President is his work, addressing the flood control issues and improving the country's economy.) 

In 2024, Marcos expressed elation over what seems to be a "political reconciliation" between him and Robredo. 

To recall, Robredo welcomed the President at the inauguration of the Sorsogon Sports Arena after being invited by then Senate President Francis ''Chiz'' Escudero.

The two, who were rivals in the 2016 and 2022 polls, met and briefly shook hands before the start of the event. —VAL/VBL, GMA Integrated News