Leni Robredo asks self: Why me?

MANILA, Philippines — Camarines Sur Rep. Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo on Monday admitted that she hesitated before accepting the offer of Liberal Party (LP) standard-bearer Manuel "Mar" Roxas II to be his running mate in the 2016 elections.

During her acceptance speech, Robredo revealed that the past weeks have been the hardest for her as she was on the process of deciding her plans for the upcoming elections.

"Noong una pong lumitaw ang pangalan ko na isa sa naiisip na puwedeng maging kasama ni Sec. Mar sa laban na ito, aaminin ko po na ang tanong ko sa sarili ko, 'Bakit ako? Sa dinami-dami ng puwedeng pagpilian, bakit ako pa?,'" Robredo said.

The Camarines Sur lawmaker noted that if her late husband, former Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, were alive, he would have chosen to serve the people.

She noted that a lot of her loved ones discouraged them from seeking higher office.

"Maraming nagmamahal sa asawa ko ang sumubok na pigilan ako sa pagkatakot na baka mayurakan lamang ang magandang pangalan na kanyang iniwan sa pagpasok ko sa maruming mundo ng pulitika," the lawmaker said.

Robredo expressed her gratitude to her family, especially her daughters, for giving their blessing for her to run as vice president.

"Hindi po ako susulong sa laban na ito kung hindi ko sila kasama. Ang pamilya po ang buod ng pagkatao namin ni Jesse bilang mga lingkod bayan," Robredo said.

Roxas officially proclaimed Robredo as the administration party's vice-presidential candidate during an event called "Daang Matuwid: To Be Continued" on Monday morning.

The LP is scheduled to announce its complete senatorial lineup on Friday.

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