Leni Robredo: I'm only true Bicolano among VP bets

MANILA, Philippines — Camarines Sur Rep. Leonor "Leni" Robredo, the Liberal Party's vice presidential aspirant, claimed that she is the only one in the race truly from the Bicol region.

"I am the pure and true Bicolano," Robredo said on Saturday in an impromptu dialogue with local media, as reported by a state news outfit.

Robredo said she is a genuine as she was born and raised in Bicol, unlike other vice presidential hopefuls who studied outside the region.

Robredo studied at the Unibersidad de Santa Isabel in Naga City for her elementary and secondary schooling before pursuing a degree in Economics at the University of the Philippines in Quezon City.

Even when she lived in Manila for college, Robredo said she would always go back to Bicol during breaks. She also chose to study law at the University of Nueva Caceres in Naga City, passing the bar in 1990.

The Liberal Party candidate, who is running with standard-bearer Manuel Roxas II in 2016, was also born from Bicolano parents. Her father hails from Bulan, Sorsogon, while her mother is from Camarines Sur.

Robero will potentially run against fellow politicians claiming constituency in the Bicol region, namely Sens. Francis Escudero, Gregorio Honasan of the United Nationalist Alliance, Antonio Trillanes IV and Alan Peter Cayetano. Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., another vice presidential hopeful, hails from Ilocos. — Camille Diola