Leni Robredo: The reluctant candidate now seeks VP post in 2016

Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Gerona Robredo has accepted the Liberal Party’s offer to become its vice presidential candidate, more than two weeks after being asked to be former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas' running mate in the 2016 elections.

 

Robredo earlier expressed reluctance to run for vice president due to her three daughter’s opposition, and because she feels there are other politicians more qualified than her to assume the position.

 

In an interview at the House of Representatives last September 28, Robredo said her children are reluctant about her possible vice presidential bid because they are wary of the attacks that could be launched against her once the campaign season comes full swing.

 

“Kailangan kong sagutin ang apprehensions ng mga bata. Alam nating sa elections, kahit anong ayos ng gawa mo, nagiging vicious ang ibang mga tao. Kailangan kong masiguro na mapo-protektahan ko ang mga anak ko,” she said.

 

The unassuming widow of the late former Naga City Mayor and erstwhile Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo is on her first term as a member of the House of Representatives.

 

Prior to entering politics, Robredo worked as a lawyer for the Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Pang Legal (Saligan), a nongovernment organization dedicated to empowering members of marginalized sectors. For a decade, she did pro-bono legal work for clients which include farmers, urban poor, and indigenous peoples.

 

Following the death of Jesse in 2012 in a plane crash, public clamor for Robredo to run as the congressional representative of the 3rd district of Camarines Sur grew as she was seen as a viable candidate against Nelly Villafuerte, a member of the powerful political clan which had long held sway in the province.

 

Though she was only convinced at the last minute to run for Congress, Robredo defeated Villafuerte in the 2013 polls.

 

At present, Robredo serves as vice chair of the House of Representatives committees on good governance and public accountability, and revision of laws. She is also a member of 11 House panels.

 

In the 16th Congress, Robredo has advocated for the passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill, and the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

 

She is one of the primary authors of the proposed Tax Incentives Management and Transparency Act (TIMTA), which is a priority measure of the Aquino administration. 

 

Robredo has a degree in Economics from the University of the Philippines and a law degree from the University of Nueva Caceres. — ALG/RSJ, GMA News