Memories of her late husband Jesse came flooding back to Camarines 3rd District Rep. Leni Robredo as she visited Mandaue City on Thursday, November 5.
Robredo, Mar Roxas’ running mate in 2016, said she could not help but become emotional whenever she sets foot on Mandaue, the last stop of the late Interior secretary before his plane crashed in Masbate in 2012.
“Emotional ako pag nasa Mandaue City. Bago namatay si Jesse, he was here. Kayo ang kasama niya,” the Bicol lawmaker told city officials and residents of Paknaan relocation site, as quoted by The Freeman.
The 6.5-hectare relocation site is located in Paknaan village.
Reliving her husband’s years as mayor of Naga City, Robredo said the Mandaue’s project is also close to Jesse’s heart as housing for the poor was one of his top priorities back then.
She said she is happy that Mandaue City was able to replicate what Jesse did to Naga during his time as mayor.
Mandaue Mayor Jonas Cortes said the relocation site, which will house 1,200 households, will get a P15 million funding for its road and drainage system.
The late Interior secretary attended an event in Mandaue on August 18, 2012 before rushing on a plane back to Naga.
The Piper PA-34 Seneca, however, developed engine trouble and crashed off the waters of Masbate Island. Only Robredo’s aide survived.
