Leni Robredo: Kids really stressed

Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo on Sunday said she and her three daughters were under a lot of stress because of all the calls for her to run for vice president next year.

“This is a very difficult time for all of us, especially the children, and they’re not taking it very well,” she said.

The widow of Jesse Robredo has three children: Aika, 28; Tricia, 21, and Jillian, 15.

Robredo, who was also a reluctant candidate for Camarines Sur representative in 2013, was thrust into the position after her husband’s death in a plane crash in 2012. She said she had made “no decision yet” on the offer of Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Mar Roxas to be his running mate.

She said she could only tell her daughters to trust in the power of prayer.

“At this point, all we can do is pray so that we will be guided,” she said. The 51-year-old Robredo is a lawyer and Economics graduate of the University of the Philippines.

Earlier, the first-time congresswoman said she was planning to either run for reelection or seek a Senate seat, provided her awareness ratings improved.

She has consistently said in interviews she is not ready for the No. 2 post due to her inexperience and low profile.

In spite of her reservations, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said he thought Robredo was qualified to be vice president.

“She’s a lawyer, knows politics from her husband’s experience, served creditably in Congress and has a good personal record,” said the Speaker, a vice chair of the LP.

“Kaya niya VP (She can be VP),” Belmonte said in a text message to the Inquirer.

Previously he had said he preferred Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano for Roxas’ running mate.

Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice said Robredo enjoyed certain advantages over Sen. Francis Escudero, the running mate of Sen. Grace Poe, who announced her presidential bid last week.

“She’s not a trapo (traditional politician). She can be trusted. She’s the epitome of simplicity and has sacrificed a lot for her country and people,” the LP political affairs committee chair said of Robredo.