MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno S. Aquino III said Wednesday that he met with Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo to convince her to run for vice president.
In an interview with reporters in Apayao, Aquino said he met on Tuesday with Robredo and two of her daughters, with Liberal Party standard bearer Manuel Roxas II and Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman.
Aquino said the meeting with Robredo went well and the lawmaker was able to air her concerns regarding her possible vice presidential bid.
"'Di ba, iminumungkahi nga una tumakbong senador, tapos nu'ng senador biglang pinapatakbo ng bise presidente, ang laki ng laktaw," Aquino said.
"So medyo nakakagulat, nakakabigla at understandable, lalo na doon sa mga anak nila na kung tutuusin talagang nag-re-readjust pa rin sa buhay na wala 'yung kanilang ama," he added, referring to the late Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo.
Aquino said nothing was sealed after the meeting.
"Wala pang tapos na usapan. Mag-uusap kami ulit, pero maganda 'yung parang clearing the air, ano. 'Yung expectation settings, lahat, nandoon nailagay; bakit kami pabor na siya ang maging vice president natin, et cetera," the president said.
Aquino is confident that Robredo would be a good vice president, saying she's not a traditional politician.
"Si Leni palagay ko positibong-positibo ang imahe... kung maghahanap ka ng talagang hindi pwedeng masasabing 'trapo' o traditional politician parang, 'di ba, 'yon ang isa sa mga mukha nito — si Leni Robredo," the president said.
Aquino said a Roxas-Robredo leadership will continue and even surpass the achievements of his administration.
"Ang dami na niyang dinemonstrate na kahanga-hanga talaga. So, ito, isasama niya sa pagkampanya—kasama ni Mar at 'pag pinalad silang dalawa—mayroon tayong talagang isang team na talagang magpapabilis ng lahat ng nagawa na natin dito sa 'Daang Matuwid,'" Aquino said.
"Kung 'yung nagawa na natin at pinagtulungan nitong papuntang anim na taon, 'pag ikinumpara doon sa gagawin nitong dalawa, palagay ko masasabing sobrang layo 'nung nagawa na dahil mag-uumpisa na naman siyempre sa mas mataas na antas," he added.