With great power comes great security, and when it’s given to a person who exudes remarkable humility like Vice President Maria Leonor ‘Leni’ Gerona-Robredo, expect that she will owe you an apology.
Robredo appeared on the July 18 episode of GMA News TV’s “Bawal ang Pasaway with Mareng Winnie” where she talked about the challenges of her transition from being a congresswoman to the country’s second most powerful official.
“‘Nung congresswoman po ako I (could) even drive myself still. Nag-bu-bus ako pauwi nang mag-isa, walang security. ‘Pag nasa Naga po ako, ako pa rin ang nag-dri-drive sa sarili ko. Namamalengke ako mag-isa dati…” Robredo told the show’s host, Solita ‘Mareng Winnie’ Monsod.
“Parang noon it was possible to be anonymous. Pero ngayon hindi na po ‘yon pwede. Like ‘nung Friday, umuwi po ako sa amin, nag-bus po kaming mag-iina. May kasama na po kaming security,” the vice president said, adding she had to apologize to their fellow passengers for causing inconvenience.
As Robredo wanted nothing to change in her lifestyle even after winning the vice presidential race, she knew she had to make adjustments at some point and she’s aware that she and her family are not the only ones who have to deal with it but their ‘kababayans’ in Naga City as well.
“Humihingi ako ng tawad sa kanila, sa mga kababayan ko, kasi nagkaroon po ng big celebration doon. Sa aming plaza merong thanksgiving party. Siyempre, lahat excited to embrace me, to kiss me. Parang ’yun ‘yong mga people I grew up with. Pero, siyempre, naiintindihan mo rin ‘yung security.
Frantic sila na lahat pupunta sa’yo. So ‘yung iba sa kanila parang nag-cre-create ng wall around me. Kaya ‘nung nagkaroon po ako ng chance to speak on stage, humingi na lang ako ng tawad. Sabi ko pagpasensyahan niyo na, medyo umiba talaga, pero sana maintindihan niyo…” Robredo said.
When asked if her fellow Bicolanos were okay with it, Robredo told Monsod: “Sana po. Kasi ako mismo nahihiya ako na dati… ‘Yung service ko po sa Naga, ‘yung sasakyan namin doon, lumang Honda City. Solo lang ako. ‘Nung congresswoman ako paminsan may driver ako, paminsan wala. Tapos ngayon parang three- or four-car convoy na kami.”
Instead of basking in the glory of her vice presidency, Robredo said she and her kids view it as a ‘constant struggle’ now that they have to deal with a number of security details who follow them around to ensure their safety.
“Actually po nagrereklamo sila na ikaw lang naman ‘yung VP bakit pati kami binigyan? ‘Yung dalawa ko pong anak na nag-aaral pa ang tanong po nila… Kasi summer break nila ngayon. Mag-re-resume sila I think end of July pa. Ang tanong po nila: ‘Pag-resume ba ng klase ibig sabihin sasama din sila sa school?’
Ang sabi ko po sa kanila: ‘Pwede bang i-set aside muna natin ‘yan? Marami pa tayong inaasikaso. Pag-usapan natin ‘pag malapit nang magbukas ‘yung school.’ Pero it’s something that we have to (accept). Siguro po as time goes by mag-a-adjust din,” Robredo said.
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