It’s still Jesse for Leni as House admirers send gifts

MANILA, Philippines – While she may have suitors and admirers, Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo continues to carry the torch for her late husband Jesse Robredo, who died in a plane crash in 2012.

Robredo, who is the administration vice presidential candidate, said up to now, she and her children are still trying to come to grips with the death of the late interior secretary whose plane crashed off Masbate Island on Aug. 18, 2012.

She admitted receiving gifts from admirers from her colleagues in the House of Representatives but said she described them as just “biru-biruan” (teasing).

 “I’m often being teased in Congress. I’m single but not available,” the 51-year-old Robredo disclosed as she bantered with STAR editors, columnists and reporters yesterday. 

She said she does not encourage hints or overtures from her colleagues but instead dismisses them and “don’t take them seriously.”

 “I really can’t imagine (having another husband). I was given 25 blissful years with my husband,” Robredo said, adding her three children – all girls – were not aware of her colleagues circling her.

She said she doubts that the children would be open to her marrying again.

She said they were able to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary that June before tragedy struck.

Their last long face-to-face conversation was when she drove him to the airport, Robredo said.

She recalled that she was able to call up her husband minutes before the crash but had no inkling that there was trouble as Jesse spoke calmly.

His aide, who survived the crash, said it was because they thought they would be able to land at the Masbate airport, which was already in sight.

Robredo earlier told STARweek that she got a lot of support in her work as a lawmaker because people respected and loved her husband.

She said up to now she has yet to get around to packing up her late husband’s things in their small condominium unit in Quezon City. His favorite shirts and shoes remain in the closet, she said.