‘PERSONAL FRIEND’ | Robredo regrets not visiting Aquino often, vows to champion his legacies

June 28, 2021 , 12:00 PM

By Cherry Salazar

(June 28, 2021) – Vice President Leni Robredo regretted not having been able to visit former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III before he died on Thursday.

Robredo admitted her schedule had been more hectic during the COVID-19 pandemic so she wasn’t able to check on Aquino, whom she described as a “personal friend.”

“Sobrang lungkot kasi siyempre maraming regrets,” said Robredo said in her weekly radio show on Sunday. “May few times after noong presidency niya na binibisita ko siya, nakikipagkuwentuhan or nakaka-text. (Pero) actually, ‘yung buong pandemic hindi ko siya nabisita tapos bihira ko siyang makausap sa text message kasi naging busy.”

Robredo also said she could have been more active in presenting the facts about Aquino’s administration, which was hounded by disinformation campaigns after his term. His successor, President Rodrigo Duterte, has also repeatedly blamed Aquino’s leadership for some of the country’s continued problems, discrediting his achievements.

“Sana mas nag-exert kami ng effort para ipakita ‘yung lahat ng kanyang accomplishments, para ipakita lang ‘yung mga hindi tama na lumalabas,” said Robredo, noting some of the projects under Aquino’s term are now being claimed by other politicians.

Duterete’s administration has claimed credit for several infrastructure projects that were actually approved during Aquino’s term, conveniently including them under the Build Build Build program.

After stepping down, Aquino lived a life away from the public spotlight. His friends and former colleagues shared he had always shunned attention, believing that God and history will judge him rightly.

“Ang daming regrets na sana pinaalam natin na mas maayos kung gaano natin ina-appreciate ‘yung mga ginawa niya. Pero tingin ko kasi ngayon na wala na siya, may obligasyon kami o tayo na nakakaalam na ipaalam sa tao,” said Robredo.

She also pointed out Aquino’s clear moral compass, only entering politics when his mother, former President Cory Aquino, no longer held public office.

“Puwedeng-puwede siyang pumasok lalo na ‘yung presidente ‘yung nanay kasi ‘di ba ‘yung lahat ng advantages nandiyan, pero sila ‘yung pamilyang ganoon, ‘yung sense of righteousness napakataas,” said Robredo.

She also recalled having worked with Aquino while she was still a representative of Camarines Sur, describing the then-senator as “very hands-on” and detail-oriented.

Aquino died peacefully in his sleep due to renal disease linked to diabetes. He was 61 years old.

His ashes were interred last Saturday beside the graves of his parents at the Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque. (PM)

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