PNoy to visit Jesse Robredo's grave on Tuesday

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III will visit the tomb of the late Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo on his third death anniversary on Tuesday.

Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Aquino and his Cabinet members will visit Robredo's grave at the Eternal Gardens in Naga City.

In a statement, Lacierda remembered the legacy of Robredo, a Ramon Magsaysay awardee known for his good governance reforms, transparency, humility and simplicity as a public servant.

Robredo died in a plane crash in 2012.

"Throughout his decades of public service, Secretary Robredo consistently demonstrated his outstanding capabilities as a leader, whether as mayor of his hometown Naga City or as head of the Department of the Interior and Local Government," Lacierda said.

Lacierda said Robredo's six terms in Naga City were marked by improvements in development and public participation in governance.

"Today we remember him for the reforms he initiated, including the Full Disclosure Policy, which advances transparency in local governance," he said.

Aquino will be visiting Robredo's grave as certain groups are urging the late official's widow, Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo, to run for vice president in the 2016 polls.

She is being pushed to be the running mate of Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II, the Liberal Party's standard-bearer and Robredo's successor.