Leni-Marcos tandem 'unlikely' in 2028, says Liberal Party lawmaker

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February 23, 2026 | 3:14pm

MANILA, Philippines — President Bongbong Marcos' recent visit to Naga City has fueled rumors of a possible alliance between him and Mayor Leni Robredo for the 2028 national elections — especially after he wore pink socks to honor her. 

Marcos, however, was only visiting to inspect the city's flood mitigation efforts as part of the Department of Public Works and Highways Oplan Kontra Baha program.

Rep. Edgar Erice (Caloocan, 3rd District), a fellow Liberal Party member, also dismissed the speculation as unlikely, joking that the party's late leaders would probably "rise from their graves" if such an alliance were to happen.

"Palagay ko po 'yan po ay napakalayo," he said in a radio interview over 105.9 True FM on Monday, February 23. "Sa palagay ko po, pati 'yung namatay naming mga leader, baka bumangon sa kanilang mga kinalalagyan kung kami ay makikipagkoalisyon sa administration."

(I think that is very far-fetched. I believe even our late leaders would probably rise from their graves if we were to form a coalition with the administration.)

Erice also set the record straight that the Liberal Party, which Robredo is a member of, has not formally discussed plans on who to field for the opposition in the upcoming 2028 elections.

Talks of potential tandems surged on social media after Vice President Sara Duterte announced her bid for the presidency.

Robredo, considered by some lawmakers as the "most winnable candidate" and strongest bet to face Duterte, has repeatedly said that she decided years ago not to run for president again, considering she wants to take her role as Naga City's mayor seriously. The former vice president ran for president against Marcos in the 2022 elections but lost.

If not Robredo, opposition figures who have expressed openness to higher office in the 2028 elections include Sen. Risa Hontiveros and Sen. Bam Aquino. Aquino, however, has stated on the record that he has no plans to run for vice president. Liberal Party stalwart Florencio "Butch" Abad, meanwhile, said both senators are open to seeking the presidency.

Although former president Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III has passed away, Erice said his approach to alliances and coalitions remains guided by what he thinks the late president would have done.

He added that Aquino III likely would not have endorsed partnering with the Marcos administration, given their political history and the current government's corruption issues.

"At hindi po, sa tingin ko, papayag si PNoy na maging kabahagi nitong administrasyon na may ginawang ganito kalaking kalokohan," he said. (And I don’t think PNoy would agree to be part of an administration that has committed such a grave wrongdoing.)