Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo (left), President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (PCO)
President Marcos considers all local chief executives, including Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo, as allies, Malacañang said.
In a Palace briefing on Wednesday, Aug. 26, Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro was asked whether the President considers Robredo as an ally now.
Castro did not single out Robredo, who was Marcos' closest competitor in the 2022 presidential election.
The Palace spokesperson instead said that the President considers everyone as allies, except the "obstructionists."
"Lahat naman po sa paningin ng Pangulo. Lahat ng bayan, lahat ng leaders, itinuturing niya iyan na dapat ay kaalyado, kaya nga dapat magkakaisa tayo (From the President’s perspective, everyone. All towns and all leaders are considered allies, which is why we should all work together)," Castro said.
"So doon lang sa mga obstructionist lang naman nagkakaroon ng ibang pananalita ang Pangulo (He only takes a different tone toward obstructionists)," Castro added.
The Palace mouthpiece pointed out that anyone can criticize the administration if it helps the President see what else needs to be done.
"Pero may mga obstructionist na walang nakikita kung hindi manira nang manira (But there are obstructionists who do nothing but criticize and tear others down)," Castro said.
"So, kung sinuman po, kung anuman ang kulay ninyo, hindi po kayo ituturing ng Pangulo na kalaban. Lahat po kayo kaalyado (So, regardless of who you are or what political color you represent, the President will not consider you an enemy. All of you are allies)," she stressed.
Castro was asked the question after citing Robredo's positive assessment of the implementation of the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF).
She explained that the former vice president was cited because she stressed the importance of the LGSF without engaging in politics.
"Kasi po siya iyong pinaka—nakita nating na-interview na napakita niya ang kahalagahan ng LGSF nang hindi namumulitika (Because she was the one we saw being interviewed who underscored the importance of the LGSF without engaging in politics)," Castro said.