President Marcos and former vice president Leni Robredo, rivals in the 2022 presidential elections, briefly met and even shook hands in Sorsogon during the inauguration of the Sorsogon Sports Arena.

Marcos and Robredo met at the entrance of the sports arena before the President proceeded to the inauguration ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 17.

In a short video taken by the media before the event, Marcos was seen approaching former senator Bam Aquino, shook his hands, and then doing the same to Robredo.

According to Senate President Francis Escudero, they invited  Robredo and Aquino to welcome the President on behalf of Bicol.

"In-invite namin si VP Leni para maging bahagi ng Kasanggayahan festivities at gayundin samahan ako para salubungin bilang Bicolana dito sa Bicol Region si Pangulong Marcos sa kanyang pagbisita dito sa lalawigan ng Sorsogon (We invited VP Leni to be part of the Kasanggayahan festivities and to accompany me in welcoming as a Bicolana in the Bicol Region President Marcos in his visit to the province of Sorsogon)," Escudero said.

According to Atty. Barry Gutierrez, spokesperson of Robredo, "VP Leni was in Sorsogon upon the invitation of SP Escudero for them to welcome the President in Bicol."

While it was the case, Marcos, however, did not mention Robredo and Aquino during his speech, where he usually begins with paying respects to the officials and personalities in attendance.

Robredo will run as mayor of Naga City in the 2025 local elections, while Aquino will be seeking a comeback in the Senate in the 2025 midterm elections.

In his speech during the inauguration ceremony of the 7.1-hectare Sorsogon Sports Complex, Marcos reiterated his call for unity, which was also his campaign slogan in the 2022 polls.

"Mula pa sa simula, pagkakaisa ang hangad ko para sa isang mas mabisa at epektibong pamamahala (Since the beginning, unity is what I aspire for an effective governance)," Marcos said, referring to government's effort in implementing key projects such as the Sorsogon Arena, Sorsogon Provincial Sanitarium Facilities, and improvement of the Bacon Airport.

"Kailangan nating magtulungan upang mas marami pang mga bata ang mabakunahan, higit pang mapabuti ang seguridad [at] kapayapaan, at mapababa ang kahirapan sa Sorsogon (We need to help each other to vaccinate more children, to intensify security and peace, and to lower poverty rate in Sorsogon)," Marcos added.

Marcos told the people of Sorsogon that he is hoping for their cooperation despite their differences.

"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 (We may have differences in beliefs and opinions, but I know that we have the same aspiration—to improve the quality of life of every Filipino)," the President said. 

"Kaya naman umaasa ako sa suporta ng mga Pilipino. Sa tulong ninyo, alam kong makakamit natin ang mga hangarin natin para sa ikauunlad ng bansa (So I am hoping for your support. With your help, I know we will achieve our dreams for the progress of the country)," he added.

As part of the  Kasanggayahan Festival, the Sorsogon Sports Arena was inaugurated.

Inspired by Rome’s famous Colosseum landmark, the arena has a seating capacity of 15,000 with the potential to accommodate up to 20,000 for full-house sports activities, making it capable of hosting local and international events.  

It also has various amenities that include an athletics oval and a three-storey facility capable of housing athletes and spectators.

The Provincial Government aims to turn the complex into a national training camp for all Filipino athletes for national and international sporting events.