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Jesse Robredo

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Jesse Robredo
Official portrait, 2010
Official portrait, 2010
23rd Secretary of the Interior and Local Government
In office
July 9, 2010 – August 18, 2012
President Benigno S. Aquino III
Preceded by Benigno S. Aquino III (Acting in Concurrent Capacity)
Succeeded by Paquito Ochoa (Acting)
13th & 15th Mayor of Naga
In office
June 30, 2001 – June 30, 2010
Vice Mayor Esteban Abonal (2001–2004)
Gabriel Bordado (2004–2010)
Preceded by Sulpicio Roco
Succeeded by John Bongat
In office
February 2, 1988 – June 30, 1998
Vice Mayor Lourdes Asence
Preceded by Carlos Del Castillo
Succeeded by Sulpicio Roco
Personal details
Born Jesus Manalastas Robredo
May 27, 1958
Naga, Camarines Sur, Philippines
Died August 18, 2012 (aged 54)
Masbate Island, Philippines
Cause of death Airplane crash
Resting place Eternal Gardens Memorial Park, Naga, Camarines Sur
Party Liberal (2001–2012)
Other political
affiliations 		Aksyon (1998–2001)
Lakas (1991–1998)
LDP (1988–1991)
LnB (1988)
Spouse Leni Gerona
(m. 1987)
Children 3, including Tricia
Relatives Butch Robredo (brother)
Education De La Salle University (BS)
Harvard University (MPA)
University of the Philippines, Diliman (MBA)

Jesus "Jesse" Manalastas Robredo QSC CCLH (Tagalog: [ˈdʒɛsi ɾɔˈbɾɛdɔ]; Chinese: 林炳智; pinyin: Lín Bǐngzhì; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Lîm Péng-tì; May 27, 1958 – August 18, 2012)[1][2] was a Filipino politician who served as 23rd Secretary of the Interior and Local Government in the administration of President Benigno Aquino III from 2010 until his death in 2012.[3] Robredo was a member of the Liberal Party.

Beginning in 1988, Robredo served six terms as Mayor of Naga in Camarines Sur.[4] In recognition of his achievements as Naga mayor, Robredo was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service in 2000, the first Filipino mayor so honored. He was appointed to the Cabinet of President Aquino in July 2010.[3]

Robredo died on August 18, 2012, when the light aircraft he was traveling in crashed off the coast of Masbate after suffering an engine failure.

Early life and education

Jesse Manalastas Robredo was born on May 27, 1958, in Naga to José Chan Robredo Sr. and Marcelina Manalastas-Robredo. Jesse is of Chinese descent through his paternal grandfather, Lim Pay Co, who immigrated to the Philippines from Fujian province at the beginning of the 20th century and adopted the surname of the priest who baptized him, thus becoming Juan Lim Robredo.[5] Jesse's Hokkien Chinese name is Lim Pieng Ti.[6] He has one brother and three sisters.

Robredo finished elementary at the Naga Parochial School and entered high school at the Ateneo de Naga University in 1970. Robredo obtained his undergraduate degrees in Industrial Management Engineering and Mechanical Engineering at De La Salle University. In 1985, Robredo finished his Masters in Business Administration at the University of the Philippines, Diliman as a scholar and was named the Graduate School and Faculty Organization awardee for scholarly excellence.[7] He was later accepted as an Edward Mason Fellow and graduated with a Master of Public Administration degree from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government in 1999. The Far Eastern University bestowed Robredo with a Doctorate in Humanities, honoris causa, during its 80th commencement exercise on April 4, 2008, in recognition of his efforts to develop Naga.[8]

Political career

In 1986, Robredo returned to Naga, where he became program director of the Bicol River Basin Development Program (BRBDP), an agency tasked to undertake integrated area development planning in the three provinces of the Bicol region. While working at the BRBDP, he met fellow Nagueño Leni Gerona, whom he would marry the following year.[9][10]

In the 1988 Philippine local elections, Robredo was elected mayor of Naga at age 29,[11] making him the youngest person who was elected mayor in the vote.[12] His entry to politics was influenced by his uncle, then-Camarines Sur governor Luis Villafuerte. However, the two fell out in 1992 following allegations of corruption and jueteng involving the Villafuertes, which led to Villafuerte disowning Robredo.[13] In 1995, Robredo was elected president of the League of Cities of the Philippines and chaired the Metro Naga Development Council."[7] His three terms as mayor ended on June 30, 1998, and was succeeded by Robredo's endorsed candidate Sulpicio S. Roco, Jr.[14][15] In 1999, Asiaweek Magazine credited Robredo with transforming Naga into one of the "Most Improved" cities in Asia.[16]

He re-elected as city mayor in 2001 and again served for three consecutive terms until June 30, 2010.[14] He served for a total of 19 years as mayor of Naga before being appointed as secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government on July 9, 2010.[3]

Robredo's appointment was met with political opposition. Luis Villafurte and another Bicolano politician, Luis Agregado Ortega, expressed opposition to Robredo's confirmation by the Commission on Appointments of which Villafuerte himself was a member.[17] In March 2012, the Commission on Appointments bypassed Robredo's nomination.[18] His nomination was bypassed again in June 2012.[19] Another confirmation hearing had reportedly been set on August 29, 2012, eleven days after Robredo's death.[20]

During his time as the secretary of DILG, Robredo focused on relocating thousands of residents in Manila's slums into housing projects to clear Metro Manila's waterways and make way for flood mitigation projects and other development.[21] As head of an inter-agency body for relocation, Robredo pushed for the building of in-city tenement housing units for thousands of informal settler families living in identified "danger zones" such as estuaries, riverbanks, waterways, railroad tracks, garbage dumps and similar areas.[22][23] These contrasted with earlier government housing efforts, which relocated informal settlers to areas away from the city which deprived residents from their usual livelihoods.[24]

Robredo's opposition to forced evictions were met with resistance from some local government officials, notably Makati mayor Junjun Binay, who argued that such arrangements broke long-standing agreements with private land owners and undermined the city government's authority.[25]

Death and legacy

Robredo died on August 18, 2012, when the Piper PA-34 Seneca light aircraft he was traveling in crashed off the coast of Masbate Island. He was flying to Naga to assist in his daughter's swimming competition. The plane suffered an engine failure en route from Cebu City, and was attempting an emergency landing at Masbate Airport.[26] Robredo's aide, Police Chief Inspector June Paolo Abrazado, was also on board but survived. Robredo's body was found on August 21, 800 meters (2,600 feet) from the shore and 54 meters (177 feet) below sea level.[27]

His lying-in-repose was at the Archbishop's Palace in Naga before his remains were transferred to Malacañang Palace for his lying-in-state and official rites on August 24, 2012. His remains were then returned to Naga for a state funeral with full military honours at the Peñafrancia Basilica, and subsequent cremation at Naga Imperial Crematory and Columbary. Robredo's ashes are entombed at the Eternal Gardens Memorial Park in Naga.[28][29]

Following Robredo's death, August 18 was declared "Jesse Robredo Day".[30] President Benigno Aquino III conferred the Philippine Legion of Honor with the rank of Chief Commander upon Robredo on August 28, 2012, just before the state funeral.[31][32] In addition, two roads were named in his honor, Sec. Jesse Robredo Avenue in Naga and Jesse M. Robredo Boulevard in Masbate City. The Naga City Coliseum was renamed into the Jesse Robredo Coliseum, and the Naga City Governance Institute to the Jesse M. Robredo Good Governance Center.[33][34] In 2016, a major diversion road in Koronadal City was named as J.M. Robredo Avenue that was witnessed by his daughter, Tricia.[35] In 2017, the Museo ni Jesse Robredo opened in commemoration of his fifth death anniversary.[36]

His alma mater, De La Salle University, renamed the La Salle Institute of Governance into the Jesse M. Robredo Institute of Governance.[37]

Personal life

Robredo married pro bono lawyer and future congresswoman and vice president Leni Gerona on June 27, 1987.[38] They had three daughters[39] named: Jessica Marie "Aika", Janine Patricia "Tricia", and Jillian Therese.[40][41]

Electoral history

Electoral history of Jesse Robredo
Year Office Party Votes received Result
Total % P. Swing
1988 Mayor of Naga City LnB 14,086 36.12% 1st Won
1992 Lakas-NUCD 33,487 78.62% 1st +42.50 Won
1995 38,408 78.62% 1st +18.29 Won
2001 Liberal - - 1st - Won
2004 - - 1st - Won
2007 37,549 76.30% 1st - Won

Honors

National Honors

Awards

References

  1. Back to citation "商總高層領導人前赴總統府 向內政部長林炳智靈前致敬 | FFCCCII 菲華商聯總會 Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc". FFCCCII 菲華商聯總會 Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. August 29, 2012. Archived from the original on January 17, 2022. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  2. Back to citation "菲律宾已故华裔内政部长林炳智遗孀参选副总统-中国新闻网". Archived from the original on March 30, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  3. Back to citation occurrence 3.0 Back to citation occurrence 3.1 Back to citation occurrence 3.2 "Jesse Robredo named DILG chief". Manila, Philippines: ABS-CBN Interactive. July 10, 2010. Archived from the original on July 13, 2010. Retrieved September 14, 2014.
  4. Back to citation "City Officials: 1945–2004". City Government of Naga. Archived from the original on April 1, 2016. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  5. Back to citation "Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation - Awardees". August 23, 2013. Archived from the original on August 23, 2013. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  6. Back to citation Wilson Lee Flores. "Jesse Robredo and his siblings read newspapers and books to their blind dad". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on July 1, 2016. Retrieved May 14, 2016.
  7. Back to citation occurrence 7.0 Back to citation occurrence 7.1 "Jesse Manalastas – Robredo Naga City Government Website". City Government of Naga. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved September 14, 2014.
  8. Back to citation "Hon. Jesse M. Robredo « Dagos po sa Maogmang Naga". Archived from the original on February 7, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  9. Back to citation "Jesse Robredo feared dead after plane crash". Coolbuster. August 18, 2012. Archived from the original on August 31, 2012. Retrieved August 18, 2012.
  10. Back to citation Alcober, Neil A. and Depasupil, William B. (August 21, 2012) Robredo family hopeful but prepares for worst. Manila Times. Accessed July 31, 2022.
  11. Back to citation "Philippine top minister feared dead in crash". Al Jazeera. August 19, 2012. Archived from the original on August 20, 2012. Retrieved August 20, 2012.
  12. Back to citation "Dismay over Leni's endorsements: yes to Pacquiao, Abalos; none for CamSur bets". Philippine Daily Inquirer. August 21, 2012. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  13. Back to citation "Dismay over Leni's endorsements: yes to Pacquiao, Abalos; none for CamSur bets". Rappler. April 25, 2025. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
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  18. Back to citation "5 Cabinet members, envoy to China bypassed by CA". The Philippine Star. March 22, 2012. Retrieved August 21, 2012.
  19. Back to citation "CA bypasses De Lima, 4 other Cabinet members for nth time". Philippine Daily Inquirer. June 6, 2012. Archived from the original on August 8, 2012. Retrieved August 21, 2012.
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  21. Back to citation Burgonio, Marlon Ramos; Tarra Quismundo, TJ (August 15, 2012). "'100,000 slum folk must go'". INQUIRER.net. Archived from the original on February 7, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  22. Back to citation Andrade, Jeannette I. (August 21, 2012). "Urban poor on Robredo death: Why him?". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  23. Back to citation "Expanding Jesse Robredo's legacy, Pangilinan pushes for in-city relocation of informal settlers". Senate of the Philippines.
  24. Back to citation Murphy, Denis (August 26, 2012). "Imitating Jesse Robredo". INQUIRER.net. Archived from the original on February 7, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  25. Back to citation Frialde, Mike. "Robredo told: Makati government has right to evict Laperal settlers". Philstar.com; Murphy, Denis (August 26, 2012). "Imitating Jesse Robredo". INQUIRER.net. Archived from the original on February 7, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022; "Robredo, Makati mayor clash over demolition". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on February 7, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  26. Back to citation "Robredo's plane crashes off Masbate". ABS-CBN News. August 18, 2012. Archived from the original on May 15, 2013. Retrieved August 20, 2012.
  27. Back to citation Robredo found dead. Archived August 25, 2015, at the Wayback Machine ABS-CBN News (August 21, 2012), Retrieved on August 21, 2012
  28. Back to citation Gutierrez, Natashya (August 24, 2012). "Naga prepares for Robredo burial". RAPPLER. Archived from the original on September 1, 2023. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  29. Back to citation Orellana, Faye (November 2, 2018). "LOOK: Leni visits Jesse's tomb in Naga City". INQUIRER.net. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  30. Back to citation Hegina, Aries Joseph (August 21, 2015). "Palace declares new holiday: August 18 is Jesse Robredo Day". inquirer.net. Archived from the original on May 4, 2018. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  31. Back to citation "Philippines holds state funeral for Jesse Robredo". BBC News. August 28, 2012. Archived from the original on September 1, 2023. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  32. Back to citation "Bulletin No. 11 from the Committee on Funeral Arrangements and Burial of the late Secretary Jesse M. Robredo". Official Gazette, Government of the Philippines. August 27, 2012. Archived from the original on April 15, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
  33. Back to citation "JMR Coliseum". Naga.gov.ph. Bicol Mail. Archived from the original on October 4, 2015. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
  34. Back to citation "Naga City Coliseum is now known as Jesse M. Robredo Coliseum (JMR Coliseum) "THE BIG DOME OF THE SOUTH"". NagaCityDeck.com. Naga City Deck. Archived from the original on October 7, 2015. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
  35. Back to citation Cupin, Bea (January 12, 2016). "There's a street named after Jesse Robredo, and it's not in Naga". RAPPLER. Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  36. Back to citation Mella, Mylce (August 18, 2017). "Museo ni Jesse Robredo opens in Naga". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on August 23, 2020. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  37. Back to citation "Our Institute - DLSU-JRIG". De La Salle University Jesse M. Robredo Institute of Governance. Archived from the original on April 19, 2020. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
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  39. Back to citation Cepeda, Mara (August 18, 2021). "'He never left:' Leni Robredo, daughters mark 9 years after Jesse's death". RAPPLER. Archived from the original on August 31, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  40. Back to citation "Vote PH 2016: Leni Robredo". Philippine Daily Inquirer. April 10, 2016. Archived from the original on April 5, 2016. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  41. Back to citation Punzalan, Jamaine (October 9, 2015). "Leni Robredo relives 'whirlwind' romance with Jesse". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on January 11, 2016.
  42. Back to citation "Speech of President Aquino during the conferment of the Quezon Service Cross on Jesse Robredo, November 26, 2012". Official Gazette. Office of the President of the Philippines. November 26, 2012. Retrieved June 2, 2013.
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  44. Back to citation "Top gov't men get awards". Manila Standard. Kagitingan Publications, Inc. PNA. September 24, 1990. p. 17. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
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