NAGA CITY — No drama. No political maneuvering. Just work.
That was the clear message from Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo as she confirmed her upcoming meeting with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. this Saturday.
With rumors swirling about possible alliances — especially after Vice President Sara Duterte announced her plan to run for president in 2028 — Robredo did not hesitate.
She sounded certain. Calm. Grounded.
“Ako sigurado akong hindi siya magbi-bring up ng politics kasi alam ko na trabaho ‘yung sadya niya dito.”
(I’m sure he won’t bring up politics because I know he’d be here for work matters.)
For Robredo, the visit is simple: flood control.
Nothing more.
Marcos is set to visit Naga City to oversee the implementation of Oplan Kontra Baha, the government’s flood mitigation program. Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro confirmed that the President’s trip on February 21 is focused entirely on addressing flooding concerns in the area.
Still, speculation has been loud.
Too loud.
Robredo, who has not even been a year in office as mayor, gently pushed back against the noise.
“Hindi ’to pulitika, at saka ang layo pa ng election. Hindi pa nga ako nagwa-one year sa puwesto ko, di pa umiinit yung upuan ko, tapos pulitika na agad… Magtrabaho muna tayo.”
This isn’t about politics, she stressed. The next election is still far away. She has barely settled into her seat — and yet, political talk has already begun.
Her focus, she said, could not be clearer.
“Sobrang focused ako sa mga problema ng Naga. ‘Yung farthest from my mind ‘yung mga pag-uusap sa Maynila. Ang primary obligation ko ay yung trabahong pinag-applyan ko. Malayo pa yung eleksyon.”
She isn’t thinking about Manila.
She’s thinking about Naga.
About floodwaters. About city problems. About the job she applied for — and was entrusted with.
And if any national leader wants to visit?
They are welcome.
Party lines do not matter, Robredo said, as long as the goal is to help solve the city’s challenges.
Meanwhile, Malacañang also called for cooler heads. Following Duterte’s announcement, talk of a possible Marcos-Robredo alliance spread quickly, drawing mixed reactions from political parties and analysts.
But the Palace urged the public to stop speculating.
“Huwag munang gumawa ng imahinasyon. Mag-focus sa kanyang-kanyang trabaho para hindi maligaw sa tamang mithiin… Tumigil muna ang lahat sa pamumulitika,” Castro said.
Do not be carried away by imagination. Focus on your work. Stop politicking.
For now, at least in Naga City, the message is steady:
Less politics.
More action.
And as Robredo firmly put it —
Magtrabaho muna tayo.
