MANILA, Philippines - The widow of former Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo is running as representative of Camarines Sur's Third District.
Leni Robredo filed her certificate of candidacy at the provincial office of the Commission on Elections on Friday afternoon, the last day of filing of the COC.
Mrs. Robredo is running under the ticket of the Liberal Party.
She will run against Nelly villafuerte, wife of incumbent Camarines Sur 3rd District Rep. Luis Villafuerte and former solicitor general Anselmo Cadiz.
In an interview by ABS-CBN News, Mrs. Robredo said had to make a last-minute decision after the LP's congressional bet in the province, Naga City vice Mayor Gabby Bordado backed out of the race.
Bordado had said that he is backing out from the congressional race to give way to Mrs. Robredo.
"I was 200% sure I did not want to run. Even my own kids were surprised. They begged me not to run. But I also had to explain that my husband spent 19 years of blood, sweat and tears. Nakita ko lang too small a price to pay yung isasakripisyo ko yung sarili," Mrs. Robredo said in the ABS-CBN News interview.