Leni, supporters look back on Jesse Robredo, his 'tsinelas' leadership

The sixth death anniversary of former Department of the Interior and Local Government secretary Jesse Robredo evoked "vehement" messages from his wife Vice President Leni Robredo, his party mates and supporters.

A short, personal reminder was posted by the Vice President, who was widowed in August 2012 when her husband's plane from Cebu crashed off the coast of Masbate.

On Saturday, Leni visited her husband's grave at the Eternal Gardens in Naga City.

Jesse's death was also remembered with a Mass and an event to launch his biography "Jesse Robredo: His Story" written by award-winning author Criselda Yabes.

Leni joined local officials of Naga in dispersing fingerlings into the Naga River as part of the city's observance of the Jesse Robredo Day.

In their own releases, members from the Liberal Party (LP) also recalled Jesse's notable contributions not only from when he was DILG chief under the administration of  President Benigno Aquino III, but all the way back from when he served as mayor of Naga City.

In a statement, Senator and LP president Kiko Pangilinan wrote: "Sobrang miss ka nam namin, Jesse."

"Nag-umpisa siya sa lingkod-bayan bilang meyor ng Naga City, ang 'maogmang lugar' o masayang lugar na humakot ng mga international at local award para sa kaayusan at pag-unlad na tinatamasa pa rin ng lungsod at ng mga naninirahan at bumibisita rito," the senator said.

"Nang maging kalihim ng (DILG), in-apply niya at pinalawak pa ang mga natutunan sa people empowerment at good governance," he added.

Sa kanyang sinseridad sa pamumuno, malinaw na kahit matagal na sa serbisyo, kailanman, hindi naging “trapo” si Jesse Robredo, kundi isang lingkod bayang inuuna ang kapakanan ng kanyang mga nasasakupan.

Basahin ang buong mensahe: https://t.co/MW9K0rOBxn pic.twitter.com/RlNwz7kCIy

— Leila de Lima (@SenLeiladeLima) August 18, 2018

Meanwhile, it was Jesse's "tsinelas-styled" leadership that Senator Leila De Lima looked back on, saying in a written dispatch that his wife emanates the same type of leadership as vice president.

"Sa kanyang “tsinelas leadership”, ipinakita ni Jesse ang tunay na pagkalinga at malasakit sa kapwa. Hindi sa pagyayabang. Hindi sa pagdaldal. Lalo na, hindi sa pagiging epal," part of De Lima's statement read.

"Hindi na nga nakapagtatakang ito rin ang klase ng pamumunong nakikita natin sa asawa niyang si Vice President Leni Robredo: May nakakakita man o wala, minamaliit man ang kanyang kakayahan ng ilang makapangyarihan, tuloy lang sa trabaho at pagsisilbi si VP Leni," the detained former Justice secretary added.

Senator Bam Aquino and Former Quezon 4th District representative Erin Tañada also shared fond memories and wisdom from the late secretary.

Isang paggunita sa isang natatatanging lingkod-bayan Sec. Jesse Robredo. #ArawNiJesse pic.twitter.com/Yq4pvgLqrV

— Bam Aquino (@bamaquino) August 18, 2018

 

Today is the 6th Death Anniversary of Sec Jesse Robredo. He remembered my birthday and greeted me 2days before he boarded the plane to go home 6 years ago. Today, I sat with to him to reflect on the need of our country to have more “Matino, Mahusay at Matapat” leaders! The challenge for 2019 is that we hope the voters realize this and “do what is right and not what is popular”.

A post shared by Lorenzo "Erin" Tañada III (@erin_tanada) on

Aug 17, 2018 at 6:15pm PDT

 —LBG, GMA News