Liberal Party (LP) vice presidential candidate Leni Robredo visits the tomb of her husband, the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, together with President Aquino and LP standard bearer Mar Roxas at Eternal Gardens in Naga City Friday. Aquino, Robredo and Roxas offered prayers and candles for the late secretary before attending a campaign kick-off event in Robredo’s hometown later in the day.
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo, who is leading the vice presidential race based on partial and unofficial count, took a bus ride to her hometown in Naga City Monday night despite security concerns.
In an interview with reporters, Robredo said she would rather still ride a bus, but would agree to a “compromise” wherein she is accompanied by her staff.
“Mayroon nga lang changes kagaya ngayon na mayroon ako kasama pauwi samantalang dati palagi akong mag-isa. Ngayon pinayagan lang ako mag-bus basta may kasama,” Robredo said.
She left Manila Monday night to visit the wake of a local leader in Naga.
“Alam ko na syempre ang security concerns ngayon ay iba na kumpara noon. Mayroon na ngayon na mas malaking responsibilidad at naiintindihan ko naman iyon, hindi lang mababago ang dati ko ginagawa,” she added.
Robredo and her three daughters had been taking the provincial bus in shuttling between Manila and Naga since she was elected congresswoman of her province.
Robredo admitted that many expressed concern of her going home via bus as the canvassing for the vice presidential race has yet to start.
But based on partial and unofficial count, Robredo leads Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. by a slim margin.
“Ang pag-uwi ko na ito, ang daming kumontra kasi hindi pa ako napo-proclaim at mas mabuti raw na huwag muna ma-expose masyado dahil mayroong danger,” she said.
She said she wants to keep herself grounded.
“Ang pinaka-ayoko lang ay dahil nagkaroon ako ng mas malaking pagkakataon, dahil mas malaki ang kapangyarihan parang maiiba ang pagkatao ko,” Robredo said.
“Kasi iyon ang dati ko nang takot na magigising na lamang ako isang umaga at ma-re-realize ko na hindi na ako ang dati kung sino ako,” she added.
On Sunday, Robredo claimed victory in the vice-presidential elections after keeping a slim margin over the past few days against her rival, Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (MNS)