New CamSur Rep. Leni Robredo: I will still take bus to Bicol

MANILA, Philippines - She will still be Leni from the block.

Camarines Sur Representative-elect Leni Robredo promised yesterday to remain as she is and do the things she normally does, like taking public transportation home to Bicol.

“We will not change our lifestyle just because I won the elections. It’s hard to get used to privileges,” she told ABS-CBN News Channel.

Like her late husband Jesse Robredo, she said she would continue taking the bus to Naga City.

She revealed that on Monday night, she and her children boarded the bus to Metro Manila from Naga.

She promised not to enjoy the perks of her office even after assuming office on June 30 as the new representative of Camarines Sur’s third district.

She ran under the ruling Liberal Party (LP), beating Nelly Villafuerte by a mile. Villafuerte is the wife of outgoing Rep. Luis Villafuerte, who in turn lost the gubernatorial race to his grandson Migs.

“I am not used to privileges. I will not let power enter my head. You are doomed the moment you let power into your head,” Robredo said.

She said the lesson politicians should learn from her victory is that one need not spend so much money to win.

“People did not expect anything from me. They did not expect money because I had no money. I could not afford big caucuses. I held meetings on street corners, under the tree. I made house-to-house visits,” she said.

She said she did not receive financial assistance from her party.

“But the President came over twice and gave us moral support. I really survived on all the goodwill my husband left behind. It was a difficult fight. I did not have resources,” she added.

She revealed that she and her children continue to send text messages to her husband.

“We send him simple messages. It’s as if he’s still alive,” she said.

After her television interview, Robredo visited the House of Representatives to have a look-see of the chamber she will be part of, at least for the next three years.