The late Jesse Robredo. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Leaders of the Liberal Party (LP) admit that the sudden death of Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo is a big blow to the ruling party, especially because it is seeking to expand its representation in Congress and local governments in next year’s midterm elections.
Sen. Franklin Drilon said that aside from losing a great man, the Liberals considered Robredo’s death a major loss to the party because his ability to reach out to mayors and governors boosted its membership.
Local negotiations
“We have to exert more effort,” Drilon said when asked about the impact of Robredo’s death on the Liberals’ preparations for next year’s elections.
Sen. Francis Pangilinan confirmed that Robredo was in the thick of party negotiations at the local level nationwide when he died.
“Our party efforts will suffer,” Pangilinan said. “But we must work on an effective transition to ensure that all he was handling in terms of the negotiations will be addressed and resolved,” he said.
‘One of them’
He added: “He is a major loss to the party and the nation. He was our executive vice president. We entrusted him with such a position in the party precisely because he represented good governance and exemplary public service—two issues that the LP wishes to espouse and champion.”
Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone said Robredo was able to reach out to governors, mayors and councilors from rival parties because they saw him as “one of them.”
Robredo was a former mayor of Naga City.
Evardone said Robredo was a “silent, low-key, but successful operator” in terms of helping iron out differences between warring parties such as those in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and Nueva Ecija.
“The party will be hard-pressed to find a replacement [for him],” Evardone said.
Sen. Teofisto Guingona III also called Robredo’s death a “great loss” to the LP. “Especially with mayors and governors, his (Robredo) commitment and tenacity was amazing. His death will be a challenge to all of us to continue his advocacy,” Guingona said.
Candidates
Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III said that Robredo was a loss to the Liberal Party not because of his contribution to party building but because the “principles he stood for were what being an LP is all about.”
The names of at least four members of the LP—Cavite Rep. Joseph E.A. Abaya, former Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca, Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim—have been floated as candidates for a replacement for Robredo in the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), which is seen as crucial to the administration’s performance in the 2013 elections.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who is serving his last term, is so far the only non-LP with the best chance of succeeding Robredo, according to reports concerning President Aquino’s personal preference.