Camarines Sur 3rd District Representative Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo delivers her acceptance message to be the official LP Vice Presidential Candidate for the 2016 National Elections during the “Daang Matuwid: To Be Continued…” of the ruling Liberal Party (LP) at the Corazon C. Aquino Kalayaan Hall of the Club Filipino in San Juan City on Monday (October 05). (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) — Administration presidential candidate Manuel “Mar” Roxas II on Friday said his running mate, Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo, won’t be his “spare tire” if they both win in the May elections.
Roxas said, “Malaki ang magiging papel ni Leni Robredo. Itinuturing ko siyang full partner, hindi spare tire, hindi ‘yung parang nag-aantay lang.”
“May kakayahan siya, may mako-contribute siya at siya ay magiging action person,” Roxas added.
Roxas and Robredo are both running under the ruling Liberal Party (LP). Robredo is the widow of the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo who died in a plane crash on August 18, 2012.
Roxas was the one who succeeded Jesse as Interior Secretary in 2012 and held the post until he resigned in 2015 to focus on his presidential campaign.
Roxas said Robredo, a lawyer by profession, does not want to be tied up with administrative work if she wins the vice presidency.
“Sabi niya sakin, kung sakaling manalo tayo, hindi niya nais na yung humawak ng burukrasya kasi mauubos ang oras sa kakapirma ng mga papeles, yung sa mga administrative,” he said.
Robredo said she wants to pursue regional development if elected vice president.
As a congresswoman of Camarines Sur, Robredo spends three days a week making unannounced visits to barangays in her district.
Robredo said she prefers making unannounced visits as barangay leaders tend to make a fuss when they are expecting an official visit from her.
Robredo and her husband Jesse are known for their simplicity.
Jesse was extolled for his “tsinelas leadership,” as he would show up for work in slippers especially as he went around flood-stricken areas in the country. He was the first Filipino local official to receive the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award, said to be the Asian equivalent of the Nobel prize. (MNS)