PNoy discusses vice presidential run with Leni Robredo, two daughters

President Benigno Aquino III has met with Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo and two of her daughters—Tricia and Aika—to talk about her possible vice-presidential bid in the 2016 elections.

Aquino said another meeting has been set with the widow of former Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo after she told the President her issues with running for a higher office.

“Kahapon nagkaroon kami ng pagpupulong...Maganda ang usapan. 'Yung mga palaisipan, ibinahagi sa atin ni Leni," Aquino told reporters on Wednesday.

Joining them in the meeting were Aquino's anointed successor, former Interior Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas II and Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman.

Aquino said he understood the apprehensions of the neophyte congresswoman, considering that she and her daughters were still adjusting to living their life without the head of their family, the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo.

“Mag-uusap kami ulit, pero maganda ‘yung parang clearing the air, ano. ‘Yung expectation settings, lahat, nandoon nailagay; bakit kami pabor na siya ang maging vice president natin,” Aquino said.

Aquino said Robredo would be an ideal partner for Roxas in continuing the “daang matuwid” platform of the ruling Liberal Party (LP).

“Kung maghahanap ka ng talagang hindi pwedeng masasabing ‘trapo’ o traditional politician parang, ‘di ba, ‘yon ang isa sa mga mukha nito—si Leni Robredo,” the president added.

Robredo had admitted being hesitant to run for vice president citing her lack of experience in politics, and her daughters’ opposition to the idea.

“Yung pamilya ko ayaw talaga. Kasi wala naman kaming ambisyon na tumaas sa politika. Parang yung pagko-congressman nga, sobra na ‘yun sa pinlano at pinangarap namin,” Robredo earlier told GMA News.

Last week, members of the LP asked Robredo to be Roxas' running mate in next year’s elections.

This came after LP’s first choice, Senator Grace Poe, announced that she will run for president.

The recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted from September 2 to 5 ranked Robredo 11th in the vice presidential preference poll with three percent.

LP vice president for political affairs Caloocan City Rep. Edgar Erice said the party would announce Roxas’ vice president and the LP’s senatorial slate on September 28, two weeks before the filing of certificates of candidacy.  

Aquino was in Apayao on Wednesday to inspect the Far North Luzon General Hospital. He was also briefed on the major infrastructure projects being implemented in the province. —NB, GMA News