LEGAZPI CITY (PIA) – In a landslide victory in her hometown of Naga City, former Philippine Vice President Maria Leonor ‘Leni’ Gerona Robredo is poised to become the city’s first female local chief executive since Naga received its chartered city status in June 1948.
A strong believer in people’s participatory governance, Robredo said in an interview that she will focus on programs that give equal opportunities to all Naga residents.
“Malaking bagay sa amin ‘yung people empowerment. Meron kaming working people’s council. Pag ako ang umupo, bibigyan namin ng malaking diin yong equal participation kasi ang tingin ko, isa ‘yun sa malaking pillars ng governance,” Robredo said in an interview shortly after casting her vote Monday afternoon at the Naga City Science High School.
(For us, people empowerment is a big deal. We have a working people’s council. If I’m elected, we will give strong emphasis on equal participation, because I believe that’s one of the major pillars of good governance.)
Robredo added that she will continue to strengthen good governance, a trademark left by her late husband, former Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, who served as Naga City mayor from 1988 to 1998, and again from 2001 to 2010.
She also expressed her commitment to strengthening transparency mechanisms to promote accountability and build public trust in how the administration manages its operations and uses taxpayers’ money.
Robredo is a lawyer by profession and served as the representative for the 3rd District of Camarines Sur from 2013 to 2016.
In 2016, she made history by becoming the second woman ever to be elected vice president, a role she held until 2022.
In 2022, she ran for president but was defeated by Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who is the current president. Nevertheless, she continued to advocate for the marginalized sector, or the “laylayan,” before announcing her candidacy for mayor of Naga City.
Robredo won a huge victory in her mayoral campaign, defeating her opponent by more than 84,000 votes.
Robredo was officially proclaimed mayor during a 10 a.m. ceremony yesterday, along with Camarines Sur 3rd District Representative now Vice Mayor-elect Gabriel Bordado, eight councilors from Team Robredo and two independent candidates. (PIA 5)
Cover photo: Courtesy of Naga City government FB page