Leni Robredo tells Roxas: You were a good friend, a ‘second spouse’ to Jesse

Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo (rightmost) shares a light moment with Sec. Mar Roxas and Pres. Benigno Aquino III. MARK ALVIC ESPLANA/INQUIRER SOUTHERN LUZON

“You were a second spouse to my husband.”

Thus said Camarines Sur Representative Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo to Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II on Tuesday during her speech at the third death anniversary of her husband Jesse Robredo.

Leni remembered Roxas as her husband’s “good friend” way before the two became Cabinet members of the Aquino administration.

“Marahil marami ang hindi nakakaalam, ngunit matagal nang matalik na magkaibigan silang dalawa ni Jesse,” she said.

(Maybe not many knew that Mar and Jesse have long been good friends.)

READ: Roxas on Jesse Robredo: He showed us how to lead

But Leni said that more than their friendship, her husband has high regard for Roxas as a public servant.

“Ngunit higit pa sa pagkakaibigan, isa rin po kayo sa mga taong pinaniwalaan at hinahangaan ng aking asawa mula noon pa man ,” she said.

(But more than friendship, you are one of the people that my husband trusted and admired even before.)

The lawmaker recalled how her husband would frequent Roxas’ house in Manila for breakfast when he was appointed as Interior Secretary. Roxas was then Transportation Secretary.

“Ang tawag ko po sa inyo, pangalawang asawa ni Jesse. ‘Yung asawa ko po nu’ng buhay pa ‘yun trabaho lamang tsaka bahay. ‘Yung nasa Maynila na po siya at kalihim na siya madalas siyang makipag-almusal sa bahay niyo,” she said, addressing Roxas.

(I called you Jesse’s second spouse. When my husband was still alive, he would just report for work then go home. When he was in Manila serving as a secretary, he would usually have breakfast in your home.)

“Kaya Secretary Mar, maraming salamat sa hindi mo pag-iwan sa aking asawa hanggang sa kahuli-hulihan,” she said.

(So Secretary Mar, thank you for never forsaking my husband until the end.)

Leni is being eyed as the running-mate of Roxas in the 2016 elections. She, however, has said that she is not keen on running for vice president, saying she plans to seek reelection as Camarines Sur Representative or run for a senate seat.

READ: Leni Robredo not keen as Roxas’ VP | Robredo daughters don’t want Leni to run for VP or senator

The Robredo daughters, however, have expressed opposition in the prospect of their mother seeking higher office next year. Nestor Corrales/IDL