President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday thanked Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero for helping him reconcile with his political rival, former vice president Leni Robredo.

During the ceremonial signing of the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Law at Malacañan Palace in Manila, Marcos said he appreciates Escudero’s goodwill gesture of inviting Robredo during the inauguration of the Sorsogon Sports Arena (SSA) in Sorsogon City on Thursday.

“Senate President Chiz Escudero… has taken a very important step towards political reconciliation yesterday,” he said as he acknowledged Escudero’s presence during the signing ceremony.

Marcos, who led the inauguration of the SSA, had a brief meeting with Robredo and her political ally, former senator Bam Aquino, at the venue’s holding area.

It was Escudero who invited Robredo to welcome Marcos on behalf of the Bicol Region.

The Bicol Region is the bailiwick of Robredo, who is running for mayor in Naga City, Camarines Sur in the 2025 midterm elections.

On the sidelines of the event, Marcos briefly shook the hands of Robredo and Aquino.

Marcos said he is happy to patch things up with Robredo.

“Well done. I’m so happy you did that,” he told Escudero.

Marcos and Robredo were rivals in the 2016 vice presidential race and the 2022 presidential elections.

Marcos lost to Robredo in 2016 but took a wide lead against her in 2022. (PNA)

Photo credit: Presidential Communications Office