DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo: Determined to hang on. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo was intent on staying in office for the full term of President Aquino despite nagging demands for his resignation, said Harvey Keh, lead convenor of Kaya Natin Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership.
“He planned to finish P-Noy’s term, after which he might have run for a higher position or returned to the private sector. He did not feel any pressure from the crises faced by his department. He always enjoys challenges,” said Keh in a text message on Sunday
Kaya Natin, which Robredo founded, appealed to the public to continue praying for the safe rescue of Robredo. They called him the “epitome of effective, ethical and empowering leadership in our government.”
Former Isabela Governor Grace Padaca said Robredo was “too busy to think of his own plans for 2016.”
“I remember, during his first few months as Cabinet secretary, when I asked Mrs. Leni Robredo how he (Robredo) was, she said he just wanted to go home to Naga: ‘Sa Naga na lang ako.’ After a while, seeing him in the news and talking with him once in a while, I was glad to know he was getting the hang of it and was fast showing and spreading to local governments the programs and initiatives that are ‘tatak Robredo’ – ethical, effective, empowering,” said Padaca.