President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. shakes hands with former Vice President Leni Robredo during the inauguration of the Sorsogon Sports Arena on Oct. 17, 2024. Then-Senate President Francis Escudero, a former Sorsogon governor, invited Robredo to welcome Marcos on behalf of Bicolanos. (Courtesy: PCO)
Malacañang said Wednesday that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. regarded Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo as a partner in governance, putting their rivalry in the 2022 presidential race aside as the administration sought a larger funding pool for local governments.
Palace press officer Claire Castro made the statement while explaining the proposed Php 58.32-billion Local Government Support Fund under the 2027 National Expenditure Program. The amount would surpass the Php 57.88 billion allocated this year and is more than twice the Php 23 billion provided in 2025.
Castro pointed to Robredo’s support for strengthening the LGSF as an example of cooperation that crosses political lines. She said Marcos viewed mayors and other local chief executives as allies in carrying out government programs regardless of their affiliations.
The Palace official said political criticism did not automatically make someone an opponent of the President. She maintained that the administration remained receptive to criticism that identified areas needing improvement, while distinguishing such criticism from actions it considered deliberately obstructive.
Robredo had previously advocated additional resources for the LGSF, citing its role in channeling assistance from the central government to local communities. Budget records showed that Naga received Php 32 million through the program for rice assistance intended for low-income residents.
The rapid increase in the fund, however, has drawn scrutiny from budget observers. Critics have warned that a large pool of discretionary support for local governments could carry patronage risks as political maneuvering intensifies ahead of the 2028 elections.
Marcos and Robredo were rivals for the presidency in 2022, with Marcos winning the election while Robredo finished second. Their political paths crossed again when Marcos visited Naga earlier this year, although both camps rejected speculation that their meeting involved negotiations for a future electoral alliance.
Robredo has since said she does not intend to seek the presidency again in 2028. The broader political landscape has also shifted since 2022, with the Marcos-Duterte alliance that won the last presidential election subsequently fracturing after Vice President Sara Duterte left the Cabinet in 2024.