Battle lines drawn

COMMONSENSE - Long before she decided to run for mayor in Naga City, former vice president Leni Robredo has been seeking advice "in politics in general and options she was considering" from her fellow Bicolano political leader Senate president Francis "Chiz" Escudero.

- MARICHU A. VILLANUEVA

So it was not a surprise if ex-VP Leni obliged Escudero's inviting her to attend and join him as "welcoming party" to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (PBBM) at the Kasanggayahan Festival in Sorgoson last Thursday.

VP Leni first met with Escudero amid the offer for her to run as one of the LP senatorial candidates in next year's elections. That was months before the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) when Escudero recalled his meeting with ex-VP Leni at the sidelines of the Kapihan sa Manila Bay news forum where he was a guest last August 28.

Ex-VP Leni apparently finds much more comfort with the pragmatism of 55-year-old Escudero in looking at the political landscapes in our country. In turn, PBBM thanked Escudero for arranging what he dubbed as his "reconciliation" meeting with Mrs. Robredo.

A lawyer before she first served as Congresswoman of the third district of Camarines Sur, the 59-year-old widow opted to file her COC in the mayoral elections in their family homebase. After all, her late husband Jesse was Naga City Mayor for 19 years.

"For me, it is not an issue. In fact, it was a show of respect to the position," Robredo clarified. "I did not hesitate to say 'yes' to Sen. Chiz when he asked me to join in welcoming (Marcos). I think that is only right, especially since he is our visitor here in Bicol region," she pointed out. She explained her very short meeting was due to another previously scheduled event to attend to in Naga.

In short, Mrs. Robredo was gently telling political kibitzers they should not read too much from her brief meet-up with PBBM.