Leni Robredo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Leni Robredo
Official portrait, 2016
14th Vice President of the Philippines
In office June 30, 2016 – June 30, 2022
President	Rodrigo Duterte
Preceded by	Jejomar Binay
Succeeded by	Sara Duterte
Chairperson of Angat Buhay
Incumbent
Assumed office July 1, 2022
Preceded by	Office established
Co-chairperson of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs
In office November 6, 2019 – November 24, 2019 Serving with Aaron Aquino
President	Rodrigo Duterte
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Dante Jimenez
Chairperson of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council
In office July 12, 2016 – December 5, 2016
President	Rodrigo Duterte
Preceded by	Chito Cruz
Succeeded by	Leoncio Evasco Jr.
Member of the House of Representatives from Camarines Sur's 3rd district
In office June 30, 2013 – June 30, 2016
Preceded by	Luis Villafuerte
Succeeded by	Gabriel Bordado
Chairperson of the Liberal Party
In office August 10, 2017 – June 30, 2022
Preceded by	Benigno Aquino III
Succeeded by	Francis Pangilinan
Personal details
Born	Maria Leonor Santo Tomas Gerona (1965-04-23) April 23, 1965 (age 60) Naga, Camarines Sur, Philippines
Political party	Liberal
Spouse	Jesse Robredo ​ ​ (m. 1987; died 2012)​
Children	3, including Tricia
Residence	Naga, Camarines Sur
Alma mater	University of the Philippines Diliman (BA) University of Nueva Caceres (LL.B)
Occupation	Lawyer Politician Social Activist Economist
Signature

Maria Leonor "Leni" Gerona Robredo (born April 23, 1965) is a Filipino lawyer and politician. She served as the 14th vice president of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022. Before that, she was a representative for the 3rd district of Camarines Sur from 2013 to 2016.

Robredo won the 2016 vice presidential election by a small margin against Bongbong Marcos. After a review, her win was confirmed. She is the second woman to become vice president of the Philippines, after Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. She is also the first vice president from the Bicol Region.

As vice president, Robredo led many projects through the Office of the Vice President (OVP). Her main program, Angat Buhay (meaning "Uplifting Lives"), worked to help people in areas like education, rural development, and healthcare. It partnered with over 300 organizations. During the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, her office provided free rides for frontline workers, swab tests, and online health services. They also raised money for relief efforts across the country.

In 2016, the government of Thailand honored Robredo for her work in women's empowerment and gender equality. Under her leadership, the OVP also received a special quality management certification (ISO 9001:2015).

During her time as vice president, she was the leader of the Liberal Party. She was also a key figure in the opposition to President Rodrigo Duterte's government. She briefly served as chairperson of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and co-chairperson of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs. She faced criticism for speaking out against some of Duterte's policies and her views on China. She was also often targeted by false information online.

Robredo ran for president in the 2022 elections with Senator Francis Pangilinan as her running mate. She lost the election to Bongbong Marcos. After leaving office, she started Angat Buhay, a nonprofit organization. She is now running for mayor in Naga, Camarines Sur in the 2025 Naga, Camarines Sur, local elections.

Early Life and Education

Maria Leonor Santo Tomas Gerona was born on April 23, 1965, in Naga, Camarines Sur, Philippines. She was the oldest of three children. Her father, Antonio Gerona, was a judge, and her mother was Salvacion Santo Tomas.

Robredo went to school in Naga. She finished elementary school in 1978 and high school in 1982. She studied Economics at the University of the Philippines Diliman and graduated in 1986. Later, she studied law at the University of Nueva Caceres, finishing in 1992. She passed the bar exams in 1997, becoming a lawyer.

Before becoming a lawyer, Gerona worked as a researcher for the Bicol River Basin Development Program. This government agency focused on development in the Bicol Region. There, she met Jesse Robredo, who later became her husband.

After passing the bar exam, Robredo worked at the Public Attorney's Office. In this role, she often defended people in cases that her husband, who was then the Mayor of Naga, was involved in.

From 1998 to 2008, Robredo was a coordinator for SALIGAN, a legal support group in Naga. SALIGAN helped young lawyers and provided legal services to people in rural areas who couldn't easily get legal help. They also worked to suggest new laws based on the needs of these communities. Later, they focused on helping rural women get money to start businesses.

In 1989, Robredo also started the Lakas ng Kababaihan ng Naga Federation. This group helps women by offering training and ways to earn a living. In 2012, she became the chairperson of the Liberal Party in Camarines Sur.

Political Career

Congressional Career

Leni Robredo unveiling the Jesse Robredo Monument at the Cararayan National High School in Naga, May 27, 2016

Robredo ran for a seat in the House of Representatives for Camarines Sur's 3rd district in the 2013 elections. On May 16, 2013, she was announced as the winner. She defeated Nelly Favis-Villafuerte, who was part of a powerful political family.

Robredo delivering a speech during an LP campaign rally in Quezon City, February 17, 2016

During her time in Congress, Robredo was the vice chairman of committees on good governance and public accountability. She was known for strongly supporting the Freedom of Information Act. This law aims to make government information available to the public. She also supported the Bangsamoro Basic Law.

Robredo's main goals in Congress were to make government more open and to allow citizens to participate more. She wrote the Full Disclosure Policy Bill (HB 19). This bill would have required all government agencies to openly share their budgets and financial deals. She also sponsored the Open Door Policy Act (House Bill No. 6286). This law stops government offices from having strict dress codes that might prevent people from getting services.

Robredo also wrote the People Empowerment Bill (HB 4911). This bill aimed to give Filipinos more say in government decisions. She also authored the Participatory Budget Process Bill (HB 3905). This bill sought to increase local participation in decisions about government project budgets. She also wrote the Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Bill (HB 3432). This bill aimed to stop discrimination based on things like ethnicity, religion, gender, or disability.

To make taxes more clear, she supported the Tax Incentives Management and Transparency Act (RA10708). This law helps track tax benefits given by the government. Other important laws she helped write include the Anti-Dynasty Bill and the Healthy Beverage Options Act.

Vice Presidency (2016–2022)

Presidential styles of Leni Robredo
Reference style	Her Excellency
Spoken style	Your Excellency
Alternative style	Madame Vice President

Robredo became the vice president of the Philippines on June 30, 2016. She took her oath at the Quezon City Reception House, which became her office.

Robredo paying a courtesy call to President Rodrigo Duterte on July 4, 2016

Robredo is sworn in by Duterte as HUDCC Secretary at the Malacañang Palace on July 12, 2016.

Robredo attends the Malasakit at Pagbabago Social Development Agenda Summit in Davao City on August 17, 2016.

Robredo and President Duterte at the Philippine Military Academy Graduation Rites at Fort General Gregorio Del Pilar, Baguio on May 26, 2019

As vice president, Robredo led many programs through the Office of the Vice President (OVP). Her main program, Angat Buhay (meaning "Uplifting Lives"), focused on helping people. It addressed important areas like education, rural development, and healthcare. The program worked with over 300 different organizations.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, the OVP under Robredo helped by giving free shuttle services to frontline workers. They also provided swab tests and telehealth services. Her office raised money for relief efforts across the country. In 2016, the government of Thailand recognized Robredo for her work in women's empowerment and gender equality. The OVP also received a special quality management certification (ISO 9001:2015) under her leadership.

She faced criticism from some government supporters. This was because she often spoke out against President Duterte's policies, including his approach to illegal drugs and the COVID-19 pandemic. She also had different views on China. She was often targeted by false information online that tried to discredit her.

2022 Presidential Campaign

Robredo files her certificate of candidacy for president, October 7, 2021

Robredo during her campaign rally in Antipolo on April 5, 2022

Robredo (right) with fellow presidential aspirants Isko Moreno (center) and Manny Pacquiao (left) during the closing moments of the 2nd PiliPinas Debates 2022

Robredo announced her campaign for president in the 2022 elections. Senator Francis Pangilinan, a leader of the Liberal Party, was her running mate. However, she lost the election to Bongbong Marcos.

Post-Vice Presidency (2022–present)

On October 17, 2024, Robredo met President Bongbong Marcos for the first time since the 2022 election.

After her term as vice president ended, Robredo started a non-profit organization called Angat Buhay. She used the same name and idea from her anti-poverty program when she was vice president.

2025 Naga Mayoral Bid

On June 21, 2024, Robredo shared that she would like to run for Mayor of Naga in the 2025 elections. She officially confirmed her plan to run for mayor on September 20.

On October 5, 2024, Robredo officially submitted her papers to run for mayor under the Liberal Party. Her running mate is Gabriel Bordado Jr., who is currently a representative for Camarines Sur's 3rd District.

Political Views

Domestic Policies

Martial Law

During the Marawi siege, Robredo asked for unity as soldiers fought against a group in Marawi. She helped organize donations and relief for those affected. She visited wounded soldiers to offer support. Robredo respected President Duterte's decision to use martial law in Mindanao to fight terrorism. However, she asked for steps to ensure it would not lead to "abuses and violations" like during the time of Ferdinand Marcos. She also questioned how long it would last and asked Congress to review it. Robredo said that martial law in Mindanao had not fully solved the threats. In November 2019, she asked the government to promise that sending troops to other regions would not lead to martial law there.

Political Dynasties

Robredo supported a proposed law against "turncoatism" in the House. This means changing political parties often. During her time in Congress, she also helped write the Anti-Dynasty Bill. This bill aims to limit political power held by the same families for a long time.

Foreign Policy

Robredo criticized China for placing missiles in the South China Sea. She believes China must first accept the Philippines v. China court ruling before making any agreements with the Philippines. This view is different from Duterte's more diplomatic approach. Robredo also called for transparency in government deals with China.

Personal Life

Robredo with her daughters.

Robredo and her family at the funeral of her mother, Salvación Gerona, at Peñafrancia Basilica in 2020.

Leni was married to Jesse Robredo from 1987 until he died in a plane crash in 2012. They met while working at the Bicol River Basin Development Program. They have three daughters: Jessica Marie "Aika" Robredo, Janine Patricia "Tricia" Robredo, and Jillian Therese Robredo. Their oldest daughter, Aika, worked at the Office of Civil Defense. Their second daughter, Tricia, is a doctor. Their youngest, Jillian, studied economics and mathematics at New York University.

From May 14, 2017, Robredo hosted her own public service radio program called BISErbisyong LENI. It aired on DZXL until June 26, 2022, when her term as vice president ended.

Robredo speaks Filipino, English, and her native Central Bikol fluently.

Honors and Recognition

Leni Robredo has received many honors and awards for her work. These awards show her dedication to helping women, promoting equality, and serving the public.

• Honorary Outstanding Woman Award of the Year 2016 (August 1, 2016): The Thai government gave her this award for her important work in women's empowerment and gender equality.
• Most Influential Filipina Woman of the World Award (August 23, 2016): The Filipina Women's Network gave her this award for her impact as a public figure.
• Golden Peacock Award of Excellence (June 17, 2022): The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce Philippines Inc. gave her this award. It recognized her efforts to build stronger ties between the Philippines and India. It also honored her work with the Angat Buhay program.
• Outstanding Bicolano Award (June 21, 2022): The University of Nueva Caceres (UNC) gave her this award. It recognized her contributions to society, especially in helping communities that need it most.
• Harvard University's Hauser Leaders Program (Fall 2022): In September 2022, she was named a Hauser Leader at Harvard University. This program recognizes leaders who can bring about change.
• Leadership and Governance Award (March 4, 2023): St. Theresa's College Quezon City honored her for her excellent leadership and dedication to public service.
• 2023 UP's Most Distinguished Alumna (August 19, 2023): The University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA) honored her for her continuous work in helping Filipinos. They recognized her as a lawyer, development worker, and government official.
• Rockefeller Foundation Residency Program (March 4, 2024): The Rockefeller Foundation announced her as a fellow at their Bellagio Center Residency Program in Bellagio, Italy.

Robredo has also received honorary doctorates from several universities:

Remembrance

A pathologist named Dr. Raymundo Lo named a pink orchid hybrid after Robredo. It is called Rhyncholaeliocattleya Leni Robredo. This flower took seven years to bloom after its parents were pollinated. It is not yet sold commercially.

In July 2022, the Ateneo de Manila University announced the discovery of two new types of water scavenger beetles. One of them, Anacaena angatbuhay, was named after Robredo's Angat Buhay program. It was found in Ifugao.

Electoral History

See also

In Spanish: Leni Robredo para niños