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Agence France-Presse

The widow of a popular Philippine politician has accepted a ruling party offer to run as vice-president in an election in May which should boost the chances of victory for President Benigno Aquino’s successor.
More than 54 million Filipinos will vote for a new president, vice-president, and about 18,000 lawmakers and local government officials in elections that happen every six years.
“After deep soul-searching, broad consultation and fervent prayers, I am accepting the challenge to run as vice-president of Secretary Mar Roxas,” Leni Robredo told a cheering crowd, referring to former Interior Minister Manuel Roxas.
Aquino has endorsed Roxas, the grandson of the country’s first post-war president, to lead the ruling party into the polls and Robredo, a 51-year-old lawyer who won a seat in Congress in 2013, should boost the credibility of the ticket, analysts said.

While Roxas’ popularity ratings has jumped, he is still in third place, trailing a novice senator, Grace Poe, and the incumbent vice-president, Jejomar Binay.
Analysts say Robredo brings a feeling of warmth and accessibility to Roxas’ image as a straightforward, technocrat.
Robredo has earned a reputation as a lawyer who helps poor farmers and fishermen and for being a steadfast opponent of corruption. Her late husband, Jesse Robredo, was interior minister when he was killed in a plane crash in 2012.
“I am offering my whole self to our countrymen, especially those wearing flip-flops out in the streets, at the bottom, and at the edges of our society,” Robredo told the crowd, echoing her husband’s crusade as a champion of the poor.
Under Aquino, the Philippines has seen economic growth of more than 6 per cent on average, its best five-year record in four decades.

 


Widow of popular Philippine politician killed in plane crash to run as vice-president for ruling party 

Leni Robredo was elected to Congress in 2013, less than a year after her husband, Jesse Robredo's death in a plane crash (below).  Photo: Reuters and AP

Philippine movie stars’ daughter Grace Poe launches presidential bid with pledge to defend nation's interests in South China Sea 

Grace Poe announces her intention to run for the 2016 presidential elections the alumni hall at the University of the Philippines. Photo: AP

Grace Poe announces her intention to run for the 2016 presidential elections the alumni hall at the University of the Philippines. Phpto: AP

President Benigno Aquino has endorsed and Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas to succeed him when he steps down next June. Photo: Reuters

Philippine Vice-President Jejomar Binay is also running. Photo: EPA

Fernando Poe Jr. is flanked by his wife actress Susan Roces in 2003.  File photo: EPA

Beijing derides 'groundless' warning of election sabotage after Philippines shifts voting machine production from China to Taiwan

A Filipino voter casts her ballot in Hong Kong during the 2010 election.  The voting machine dispute is just the latest to sour Philippine-Chinese relations. Photo: AFP 

Big shoes to fill: Philippine dictator Marcos’ son ‘Bongbong’ considers presidential run

Philippine Senator Ferdinand Marcos (R) smiles with his mother, former first lady Imelda Marcos, during the 2014 birthday celebration of the former first lady. Photo: AFP

Ferdinand Marcos (right) inducts son Ferdinand Jnr, then 21, as special assistant to the president in 1978. Photo: UPI

Philippine President Benigno Aquino endorses interior minister Manuel Roxas as next leader, despite poor polling numbers

President Benigno Aquino (left) shares a light moment with Interior Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas. Photo: Reuters

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