The late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/ JONAS CABILES SOLTES
MANILA, Philippines – A series of activities in Naga City, Camarines Sur and in Metro Manila marked the 10 death anniversary of the late Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary Jesse Robredo on Thursday.
Robredo’s family and colleagues delivered speeches honoring him in the “Isang Dekada: Commemorating the Life and Service of Jesse M. Robredo” program at the “Museo ni Jesse Robredo,” which was streamed on the Facebook page of former vice president Leni Robredo.
The former vice president remembered her husband fondly in her speech, describing him as loving and diligent.
“Kapag sinasabihan ako ng marami na hindi ako napapagod at napakasipag ko, ang palagi kong sagot ay ‘hindi niyo nakita asawa ko’,” she said.
(Whenever I am told by a lot of people that I do not get tired and that I am so hardworking, I always answer, ‘you have not seen my husband’).
Jesse Robredo’s younger sister Dr. Josephine R. Bundoc, also recounted how her brother was strict and protective. She had dreams of her brother several times after his death, including one when his widow ran for president in 2022.
“Napaginipan ko naman siya and, yung dream ko is nag-oobserve siya… ano nangyayari, ano ginagawa natin, pero ano siya, kampante. Para bang message niya is ‘alam ko na alam niyo ang ginagawa niyo’”, said Bundoc.
(I dreamt of him observing what was happening, but he looked calm. It was like he was saying, ‘I am confident that you know what you are doing).
The late DILG secretary’s daughters, Dr. Tricia Robredo, Aika Robredo, and Jillian Robredo also attended programs in Naga City to mark the death anniversary.
The Naga City local government held its “Commemoration of 10th Jesse Robredo Day,” a program remembering their former mayor, which the Robredo family also attended. A wreath-laying ceremony was held in the Eternal Gardens Memorial Park, where Robredo was buried.
In Quezon City, a commemorative Mass was also held at the Ateneo de Manila College Chapel, presided by Fr. Manoling Francisco SJ.
The late secretary Robredo is considered as a champion of participatory governance, establishing the Good Governance Model as a template for people’s participation programs in Naga City. He was eventually tapped by the late former president Benigno Aquino III as to take charge of the DILG.
The late secretary Robredo died in a plane crash on August 18, 2012.
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