More Senate hopefuls visit Leni

MANILA, Philippines — Months before the official start of the campaign period, Naga City is starting to become an important stop for candidates in the 2025 elections.

Two more Senate hopefuls visited former vice president Leni Robredo on Friday at the local office of Angat Buhay, the non-government organization she co-founded in 2022.

Robredo shared photos of her with SAGIP party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, whom she described as a “former colleague” at the House of Representatives, and retired colonel Ariel Querubin, whom she said is a “co-parent at the Ateneo de Manila University.”

Before becoming vice president, Robredo served as Camarines Sur representative from 2013 to 2016. Her daughters Aika and Tricia studied at the Ateneo.

Both candidates did not support Robredo in her presidential bid in 2022.

Marcoleta is a known ally of former president Rodrigo Duterte and his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte.

Querubin, meanwhile, falsely accused Robredo of having ties with communist groups during the 2022 elections.

The former vice president did not disclose details of her meeting with the two candidates.

On Facebook, Querubin expressed gratitude to Robredo, saying he has “much respect” for her and the people of Naga.

“God works in mysterious ways to bridge gaps and bring His people together in peace,” the former military officer wrote.

Marcoleta also posted photos with Robredo, but did not provide details regarding the visit.

The two are the latest in the string of visitors that Robredo received in recent weeks.

Last Sept. 20, Vice President Duterte, who was supposedly in Naga City for the annual celebration of the Feast of Peñafrancia, visited Robredo in her home.

A day later, the former vice president met with Sen. Bong Revilla and then Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos. Both are running for the Senate next year.

In an earlier interview, Robredo said everyone is welcome to visit the city, especially during Peñafrancia.

Last Thursday, she had a brief encounter with President Marcos during the Kasanggayahan Festival in Sorsogon.

Among the Senate candidates present at that event were reelectionist Sen. Lito Lapid, former Senate president Vicente Sotto III, former senator Bam Aquino and Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar.

Robredo, who is running for mayor of Naga City under the Liberal Party (LP), has so far endorsed two candidates for Senate next year: Aquino, who served as her campaign manager in 2022, and former senator Francis Pangilinan, her running mate.

“Less than 24 hours with Sen. Bam Aquino in Sorsogon but always fun when I’m with him. Even if I am older than him, I depended so much on him during my vice presidential and presidential run,” Robredo said of Aquino.

“Exceptional, kind and dependable. He deserves to be back in the Senate,” she added.

Robredo also previously expressed her commitment to support human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, who abandoned his third Senate bid to be the first nominee of Akbayan party-list.

LP is fielding its own sectoral organization, the Mamamayang Liberal, in the 2025 party-list race. Former senator Leila de Lima is ML’s first nominee.