Aquino has high hopes for Leni Robredo as Roxas’ VP

LUNA, Apayao—President Aquino has high expectations that Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo will accept his offer for her to be the running mate of Liberal Party presidential standard bearer Mar Roxas in next year’s elections.

Robredo, the widow of Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, has said she was hesitant to seek higher office as it might be too early in her quite young political career and that her children were lukewarm to the idea.

But when Roxas formally asked her last week, she said she needed three more weeks to consult her family and political supporters before she makes her decision.

Aquino, who was making his very first visit to this highland province that is 12 hours away from Baguio City, told reporters Wednesday that nothing has been finalized yet.

“I will still talk to Leni. But I have good expectations which justifies why I and Mar want her to run for vice president,” he said.

Aquino said he needed to have one more session with Robredo to help her make up her mind. “It’s understandable [that she would hesitate] particularly as her children are reluctant,” he said.

“They (the children) are still adjusting to their mother’s new political career. [But] we have had good discussions with Leni Robredo. She gave us insights to consider,” he said.

The President, along with Roxas and Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman, had met with Robredo and two of her three daughters on Tuesday.

Asked what Robredo could contribute to Roxas’ chances of winning the contest, Aquino said in Filipino: “Leni, I think, has a very positive image.”

“If you had to look for someone who cannot be called a trapo or traditional politician, one of those would be Leni Robredo,” he said.

According to the President, the junior legislator could be compared to his mother, the late President Corazon Aquino.

“If you think about it, she seems like my mother, a housewife who was thrust into the position of leader of the opposition when my father was killed. Leni is somewhat like that,” he said.

Aquino believes the Roxas-Robredo tandem “would speed up what we’ve been doing under Daang Matuwid.”

Robredo earlier said she would have to carefully think about the offer before making any decision. She asked for prayers so she can make the “right decision”.

She said the biggest factor in her decision would be her children. In earlier interviews, she disclosed that her three daughters are all against her running for vice president.

Earlier still, she said she would consider running as Roxas’ running mate under the administration coalition if she is the only candidate being considered.

“[But] honestly, I do not see a point in time where I will be the sole candidate to be considered. There are other candidates who are more able and ready,” she told Radyo Inquirer.

Robredo said she was humbled and thankful, “it is a big thing for me to be considered for the position. I am thankful that other people think highly of me.”