INCOMING VICE President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo said that she may no longer take a bus in going home to Camarines Sur following her proclamation as the second most powerful government official in the country.
In a press conference shortly after she was proclaimed as the country’s 14th vice president, Robredo said that she would consider the concern of supporters on her safety when she and her daughters take their weekly bus commute.
“Naiintindihan ko po yung concern. Nagpapasalamat po ako sa inyo at humihingi po ako ng pag-unawa,” Robredo said.
Plane ticket too expensive
She said that they once tried to book plane tickets to Naga, but she said she was dismayed to find out that a ticket would cost them P9,000 each.
“Mas safe po talaga sumakay ng bus. Yung sinasakyan po namin na bus, kapag lampas na ng 100 kph (kilometers per hour), nag-a-alarm na po yun kaya kampante kami na nakasakay doon,” the vice president-elect said.
Robredo said that to allay fears about her safety, she would let her security personnel to accompany her in her weekly commute.
She said that she may no longer hail a bus when going home to Camarines Sur, adding that this change in her lifestyle would not necessarily affect her personality.
“Siguro mai-internalize ko rin. Ngayon kasi, hindi pa po masyadong nag-si-sink-in kaya matigas pa ang ulo ko. Basta promise po over time magpapalit po yun basta hindi lang magpapalit ang pagkatao natin,” she said.
In an interview, the outgoing congresswoman from Camarines Sur said that the bus ride “is a reminder of who we really are.”