President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. dismissed suggestions that his recent visit to Naga City to meet Mayor Leni Robredo carried political undertones.

During the engagement, Marcos was asked whether the visit to his former political rival was politically motivated. His response:

“Serbisyo muna bago politika… The most political thing that I did today, I wore my pink socks.”

The remark drew attention for its light tone, particularly referencing pink—a color widely associated with Robredo’s 2022 presidential campaign.

Marcos emphasized that the visit focused on governance, particularly on inspecting flood control programs in the area. The President and Robredo have faced each other in past elections, most notably in the tightly contested 2016 vice-presidential race and the broader 2022 political landscape.

Despite their political history, the President framed the meeting as part of official duties rather than coalition-building or political signaling.

Governance Over Rivalry?

The visit highlights a recurring dynamic in Philippine politics: former rivals working within official capacities after elections. While political observers often analyze optics and symbolism, Malacañang maintains that the engagement centered on service delivery and infrastructure oversight.

Naga City has long been associated with Robredo’s political career, making the meeting symbolically notable. However, both sides have publicly emphasized cooperation in matters related to development and public welfare.

The Political Context

Given ongoing speculation about shifting alliances and future electoral scenarios, any public interaction between major political figures draws attention.

Political analysts note that gestures—intentional or not—can shape narratives. Still, official government activities often require coordination across political lines, especially on infrastructure and disaster mitigation projects.

At this stage, there is no indication of a formal political alliance.

The President’s message remains consistent: service first, politics second.

What It Signals

Whether symbolic or simply administrative, the meeting reflects an important aspect of democratic governance—engagement across political differences.

In the end, voters may interpret the optics differently. But the official stance is clear:

The visit was about public service.