Palace declares new holiday: August 18 is Jesse Robredo Day

The Late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

President Benigno Aquino III recently signed a law declaring August 18 of every year as Jesse Robredo Day, a special working holiday.

Republic Act 10669 was signed into law by Aquino last August 18, which also marks the third death anniversary of the late interior secretary.

August 18 will be celebrated in all elementary and secondary schools in the country where they will conduct activities remembering Jesse Robredo’s “legacy of good governance and leadership.”

The holiday seeks “to encourage students to continue the same for the good of the Philippines and the Filipino people.”

Robredo and pilots Capt. Jessup M. Bahinting and Kshitiz Chand died in a plane crash into the waters off Masbate last August 18, 2012.

Robredo, who was not confirmed as interior secretary, is a multi-awarded mayor who transformed Naga City in Camarines Sur province.

Other awards he received include the 1990 Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines, 1994 Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World, Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2000, and the Legion of Honor in 2012.

The law was signed around the time when the administration coalition was urging Robredo’s wife, Camarines Sur representative Leni Robredo, to run as the Liberal Party’s vice presidential candidate. Aries Joseph Hegina/JE