Former Vice President Leni Robredo | Zoom In (July 6, 2024)

Summary

In this Zoom In interview, former Vice President of the Philippines Leni Robredo discusses her transition from political office to citizen, focusing on her grassroots empowerment program 'Buhay sa Kalikasan' (Life in Nature). Despite no longer holding a national position, she continues to influence Filipinos through her advocacy work, and is now considering a run for mayor of Naga City. Robredo reflects on her experiences in the 2022 presidential elections, the challenges of governance, and her future plans to implement replicable programs at the local level.

Takeaways

• 😀 Lenny Robredo, former Vice President of the Philippines, is considering running for mayor of Naga City to continue her service and advocacy work.
• 🌟 Despite not being in a national position, Robredo continues to influence through speaking engagements and by championing her principles in politics.
• 🏆 She reflects on her time as Vice President, acknowledging the limitations she faced but also the opportunities to make a macro-level impact.
• 🔄 Post-election, Robredo has been able to spend more time with her family and pursue other advocacies, showing a balance between public service and personal life.
• 🌱 Robredo's organization, Angat Buhay, has been successful in implementing programs, especially in education, which she is most proud of.
• 🏥 During the pandemic, her team launched a telemedicine program that served over 50,000 COVID-19 patients and later transitioned to a mental health platform.
• 🏛️ The organization has also been involved in building classrooms and dormitories to address accessibility issues in education, particularly for students living far from schools.
• 🤝 Robredo emphasizes the importance of partnerships and resources in replicating successful programs and expanding their reach.
• 💡 She discusses the challenges of balancing multiple responsibilities, including being a public figure, a mother, and leading an NGO, highlighting the importance of prioritization.
• 🌐 Robredo's influence extends beyond the Philippines, as she has had opportunities to teach and engage in international speaking engagements.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the interview with former Vice President Lenny Robredo?

The main focus of the interview is to discuss her transition from Vice President to a private citizen, her continued influence and work in grassroots empowerment, and her future plans, including her potential run for mayor of Naga City.

How has Lenny Robredo's role changed since she was Vice President?

Since stepping down as Vice President, Lenny Robredo has been involved in speaking engagements, spending more time with her daughters, and pursuing her advocacies. She has also been able to partner with local government units to pilot programs that are replicable and demonstrate good governance.

What are some of the challenges Lenny Robredo faced during her term as Vice President?

During her term, Lenny Robredo faced challenges such as political limitations and a lack of space to implement her governance ideals fully. She also encountered frustration due to the political landscape, which hindered her from maximizing her potential impact.

What is Lenny Robredo's view on the volunteerism that emerged during her presidential campaign?

Lenny Robredo finds the volunteerism that emerged during her presidential campaign very inspiring. She believes it reflects the Filipino people's desire for a certain kind of leadership and that the spirit of volunteerism has continued even after the elections.

How does Lenny Robredo feel about the possibility of joining forces with the administration?

Lenny Robredo is open to working with the government on specific programs, but she emphasizes the importance of considering values and leadership. She also acknowledges the sentiments of her supporters and the need to send the right message, not just to win elections.

What is Lenny Robredo's stance on being labeled as an opposition leader?

Lenny Robredo became the leader of the opposition due to her position as the highest-ranking member from the opposition in government. However, she has tried to restrain herself from issuing statements on national issues and has been supportive of other opposition leaders like Senator Daa.

What are Lenny Robredo's future plans regarding her political career?

Lenny Robredo has decided to run for the mayorship of Naga City, focusing on local governance and the implementation of programs that have proven effective. She believes that even as a local leader, she can make a significant impact and potentially serve as a model for other areas.

How has the operation of 'Angat Buhay' changed since Lenny Robredo's term ended?

Since Lenny Robredo's term ended, 'Angat Buhay' has become a smaller organization, relying more on volunteers and focusing on efficient use of resources. The organization has also seen an increase in partners who are more comfortable dealing with them, leading to more energetic partnerships.

What are some of the programs Lenny Robredo is most proud of from 'Angat Buhay'?

Lenny Robredo is most proud of the education programs, particularly the reading programs and the construction of classrooms and dormitories, which have a direct impact on improving educational outcomes. She also highlights the health programs, including the telemedicine program for COVID-19 patients and the mental health platform.

How does Lenny Robredo balance her multiple responsibilities as a public figure, mother, and leader of an NGO?

Lenny Robredo balances her responsibilities by prioritizing what is important and forgoing less important activities. She credits her ability to multitask to her early life experiences of juggling law school, work, and motherhood. She also emphasizes the importance of decompression and focusing on one thing at a time.