PNoy, Mar honor Jesse Robredo in Naga City

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday commemorated the third death anniversary of former Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo.

The president and some of his Cabinet members including Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II visited Robredo's tomb at the Eternal Gardens in Naga City, Camarines Sur this morning.

Aquino lit a candle at Robredo's grave and offered a prayer for the late official. A Holy Mass was held prior to the president's arrival.

Aquino was joined by Robredo's widow, Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo, and their three daughters.

After paying his respects to Robredo, Aquino went to the Naga City hall to lead the Jesse Robredo Day Multi-sectoral forum.

Aquino, Roxas and Leni Robredo were set to deliver speeches during the program.

Apart from Roxas, other Cabinet members who went to Naga City were Justice Secretary Leila De Lima, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman, Education Secretary Armin Luistro, Transportation Secrtary Joseph Abaya and Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda.

In a statement on Monday, Lacierda praised Robredo, saying he "consistently demonstrated his outstanding capabilities as a leader."

Robredo, a Ramon Magsaysay awardee, served as Naga City mayor before he was appointed as interior secretary. He was known for his simplicity, humility and reforms in good governance and transparency.

Robredo died in a plane crash off Masbate in 2012.

The president is commemorating Robredo's death anniversary as some groups are urging the latter's widow to be the running mate of Roxas in the 2016 elections.