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Janvic Mateo - The Philippine Star
February 21, 2026 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Preparations are underway in Naga City for the expected visit of President Marcos this weekend.
Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo, on her social media accounts, shared photos and videos of clearing-up operations in the city as part of the national government’s “Oplan Baha” program.
On Instagram, Robredo captioned one story with “Ocular for PBBM’s visit,” using the initials of the President.
Malacañang confirmed that Marcos will meet with Robredo and other local officials today.
The President will oversee the implementation of a flood mitigation program in the city, Palace press officer Claire Castro said on Thursday.
Robredo defeated Marcos in the 2016 vice presidential elections, but lost to him in the 2022 presidential race. Various groups are urging Robredo to run again for president in 2028.
Their meeting will happen days after Vice President Sara Duterte, erstwhile ally of the President, apologized to the nation for supporting Marcos and declared her intent to run for the highest office in 2028.
Untimely
“A suggestion that is appreciated but is untimely.”
This was how Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro responded yesterday to the idea floated by a political analyst about the possible endorsement by Marcos of Robredo, his erstwhile political rival, to defeat Duterte in the 2028 presidential race.
“This is a suggestion that is respected, sorry, but it is not timely,” she added.
Castro on Thursday said there are no discussions yet on the possible candidate of the administration in 2028, saying that there are a lot of things to fix in the country.
To those opposing the Marcos-Robredo alliance, Castro said: “Everyone must stop politicking for now.”
Asked to comment on the analyst’s assessment that the Duterte camp is now in panic mode, which was why the Vice President made an early announcement to run in 2028, Castro said that whatever the reason is “irrelevant” to the President.
“This is not the view of the Palace. The Vice President’s declaration that she will run for president is irrelevant,” Castro said. “Why is it irrelevant? That is not what the President sees right now because there is no need for Filipinos to be divided.”
Robin open to being Sara’s VP
Sen. Robinhood Padilla yesterday said he would consider running as Vice President Duterte’s running mate in 2028, but only if he is ordered to do so by his idol, former president Rodrigo Duterte.
Padilla swore his loyalty to the Duterte family at a Zoom press briefing yesterday. “No one can order me. Only Digong can. If Digong tells me, I will follow him,” Padilla said.
He recalled that even though he didn’t want to enter politics, the former president persuaded him to join the 2022 Senate race.
Padilla said he would defer to his veteran colleagues – Senators Imee Marcos, Rodante Marcoleta, Alan Peter Cayetano, Bong Go and Ronald dela Rosa – to be the Vice President’s running mate.
The actor-turned-politician said he would be happy to be Duterte’s campaign manager in 2028. But if push comes to shove and there are no other options, Padilla said that he is ready to be Duterte’s running mate, even though the vice president is just a “spare tire.”
Padilla also took pride in calling himself a loyal follower of the Dutertes, a name he likens to an ideology or philosophy.
“We were born ready. For me, Duterte is an ideology, not just a persona. Ideology of change,” Padilla said. “Wherever Inday is, I am with her.”
No loyalty check among LGUs
There is no loyalty check among local government units after Vice President Duterte declared her intention to run for the presidency in 2028, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said yesterday.
Remulla said local chief executives are free to support whoever candidate they will choose as the country’s next leader.
“We are not stopping anyone, there is no loyalty check here,” he said over ABS-CBN News.
Remulla, who has expressed openness to running for president in 2028, said he believes Duterte will run a great election campaign. — Helen Flores, Marc Jayson Cayabyab, Emmanuel Tupas
