Courtesy: PCO MANILA (UPDATE) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his election rival, former Vice President Leni Robredo, crossed paths on Thursday at the inauguration of the Sorsogon Sports Arena. 

Robredo was among the former and current government officials who greeted Marcos as he entered the arena in Barangay Balogo, Sorsogon City at around 10 a.m. 

A video showed Marcos briefly shaking hands with Robredo, who was in pink, her election campaign color.

The two ran for vice president in 2016, with Marcos accusing Robredo of rigging the results of the elections in her favor. The Supreme Court in 2021 threw out Marcos' poll protest. 

They again faced off in the 2022 presidential elections, in which Marcos claimed a landslide victory.

Senate President Chiz Escudero, a Sorsogon native, said Robredo, a Bicolana, was invited to take part in the Kasanggayahan Festival of the province and to accompany him in welcoming the President to the Bicol region.

“Ininvite namin si VP Leni para maging bahagi ng Kasanggayahan Festivities at gayundin para samahan ako na salubungin, bilang Bicolana, dito sa Bicol Region, si Pangulong Marcos sa kanyang pagbisita dito sa lalawigan ng Sorsogon,” Escudero said in a video sent to Palace reporters.

Robredo, however, was unable to attend the program as she had prior commitments in Naga.

“Well, originally as planned, sasama siya saglit sa stage at papanoorin nya yung synchronized dancing na hinanda. Magkakatabi dapat kaming lahat. Pero nahuli siya sa kanyang susunod na appointment sa Naga dahil nga tumatakbo na sya bilang mayor at may event yata sa kanilang bishop sa cathedral na hindi daw siya pwedeng mahuli,” Escudero said.

The inauguration of the Sorsogon Sports Arena coincides with the celebration of the 50th founding anniversary of the province of Sorsogon.

According to the provincial government, the Sorsogon Sports Arena is a 15,000 to 20,000-capacity facility that can host local sports activities and international and national events. It includes a three-storey sports facility that can house athletes, technical officials and spectators with complete amenities and an athletics oval.

The President welcomed the completion of the facility, which he calls a symbol of progress in the province.

“Ito ay isang mahalagang hakbang upang maitaguyod natin ang ating mga kababayan na may angking galing sa larangan ng palakasan. Sa tulong nito, mabibigyan sila ng pagkakataon upang mahasa pa ang kanilang mga talento,” Marcos said in his speech. 

“Harinawa ay maidagdag pa natin sila sa hanay ng ating Olympian at atletang Pinoy.”

Meanwhile, amid differing opinions and beliefs, the President appealed for public support to help government accomplish its goals to uplift the lives of the Filipino.

“Maaaring may pagkakaiba tayo sa paniniwala at sa opinyon, ngunit alam ko na tayo ay pinagbubuklod ng iisang hangarin—na maiangat ang antas ng pamumuhay ng bawat isang Pilipino,” he said.

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