PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Sunday led the inauguration of a 12,000-capacity sports arena in Sorsogon in the Bicol region, at an event attended by his closest rival in the 2022 presidential race.
The arena, which can accommodate up to 20,000 for full-house sports activities, could serve as a national training camp for Filipino athletes, he said in a speech. It is a step toward increasing the number of Filipino Olympians, he added.
The President said the arena could be used for conferences, summits, concerts and competitions.
Mr. Marcos briefly shook hands with former Vice-President Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo and ex-Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” A. Aquino IV at a holding area before leading the inauguration.
Senate President Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero, who was Sorsogon governor before returning to the Senate in 2022, said he had invited Ms. Robredo to welcome the President on behalf of the Bicol region.
“We may have opposing beliefs and opinions, but I know that we are one in our goal to improve the lives of every Filipino,” Mr. Marcos said in his speech in Filipino.
Mr. Marcos lost to Ms. Robredo by a hair in the 2016 vice presidential race. He filed an election lawsuit, alleging fraud, that the Supreme Court unanimously dismissed in 2021.
He made a comeback in 2022 by beating Ms. Robredo in the presidential election. He became the first candidate in the history of the Fifth Republic to win by a majority, getting nearly 59% of the vote. — KATA