Marcos, Robredo shun politics in rare talks

President Marcos brushed aside questions about alliances and the 2028 elections during his inspection of flood control works in Naga City, saying his visit is "serbisyo muna bago politika" (service first before politics).

- ARGYLL CYRUS GEDUCOS

Marcos emphasized this as he led the inspection of the ongoing flood control operations under Oplan Kontra Baha, the national government's flood mitigation initiative, at Sagop Creek in Barangay Triangulo on Saturday, Feb. 21.

Asked in a media interview if he was open to forging alliances with Naga City Mayor and former vice president Leni Robredo, Marcos said there was no talk of politics between the former election rivals.

“You know, we did not discuss that... service first before politics,” he said.

“The most political thing that we did today, I wore my pink socks in honor of Mayor Leni [Robredo],” he quipped, as he gestured to his pink socks, drawing laughter.

Marcos stressed that his visit to Naga was not politically motivated and had been planned months in advance due to the worsening floods in the Bicol region.

"We have been planning this for a few months already," he said, noting that he had instructed Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon and Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo to assess the situation.