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Quiet birthday at home as Leni Robredo turns 52

By ROSE-AN JESSICA DIOQUINO, GMA News

Amid a busy year, Vice President Leni Robredo opts for quiet as she marks her 52nd birthday.

Robredo is spending "her birthday quietly with her family," just at their home in Quezon City, her office said.

Her three daughters, Aika, Tricia, and Jillian, have taken to social media to greet their mother, who got the customary cake and flowers from them on Sunday midnight.

Allies from the Liberal Party have also sent their greetings to their interim chair, who is facing ouster threats, including a possible impeachment and an ongoing electoral protest.

"Maligayang kaarawan sa ating Vice President @lenirobredo! Salamat sa sakripisyo at serbisyo," Sen. Francis Pangilinan, LP president, said in a series of tweets.

"Salamat sa pag-asa at inspirasyong iyong handog tuwing ika'y naglalakbay at nagtratrabaho nang may ngiti at walang pag-aalinlangan para maabot ang mga pinakanangangailangan sa lipunan," he added.

Sen. Leila de Lima, an LP member, greeted Robredo through a handwritten note sent from detention.

"On behalf of the Filipino people, I thank you for tirelessly working on your advocacies and serving the country, for standing firm in your principles, and living with compassion and respect for human rights," wrote the senator.

"Pilit man ng ilan na siraan ka at ang pangalan ni Jesse dahil sa kanilang pansariling interes, hinding hindi sila magtatagumpay. Laging nagwawagi ang katotohanan laban sa kasinungalingan, ang mabuti laban sa masama, at ang mabuting adhika para sa ating bansa," she added.

De Lima is detained due to allegations that she was involved in the illegal drug trade in the New Bilibid Prisons.

'Birthday gift'

The day before, the Vice President attended the launch of "'Nay, Ano ang Bayani?" a children's book on the leadership of her husband, the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo.

While she declined to tell reporters what her birthday wish was, Robredo said in her remarks at the launch that she considers the book a wonderful gift for her birthday.

"Itong children's book na ito ay talagang napakalaking regalo. Hindi lang po para sa aking kaarawan, pero regalo din para sa mga anak ko, na muling isinasabuhay ang kanilang tatay, na talaga naman pong pinagyayabang namin parati," she said.

'Work over bashing'

The Vice President has been the subject of criticisms and ouster threats, particularly after her exit from the Cabinet of President Rodrigo Duterte.

She has said she tries to remain unfazed in the face of hate, coursed through social media, by focusing on her office's flagship advocacy program.

"[L]inggo-linggo bumababa kami sa pinakamahihirap na communities. 'Pag bumababa kami, naririnig mo 'yung mga kuwento nu'ng mga mahihirap. 'Yung mga kausap mo, wala namang kaalam-alam sa nangyayari sa Facebook. Wala silang pakialam kung ano 'yung pinag-aawayan sa Facebook, kasi ang pakialam nila ay 'yung kanilang kakainin sa araw-araw," she said in a forum at the University of the Philippines-Los Baños on Friday.

"Parang kapag nakakausap mo sila, 'yung bashing doesn't matter anymore. Parang ito 'yung mas importante. Bakit ito (bashing) ang aasikasuhin mo?" she added.

"Of course that is not to say na, hindi importante iyong lahat ng bashings, kasi meron namang criticisms na constructive, na I think kaming mga public officials should still be in touch with this.Pero halimbawa, 'yung sa akin, parang 100 percent yata kasinungalingan. So bakit ko pag-aaksayahan ng panahon, kung merong mga tao doon sa Agutaya (a fifth-class municipality in Palawan), meron doon sa Siayan (in Zamboanga del Norte), meron sa Kauswagan (in Lanao del Norte) na walang ibang aasahan kundi tayo? 'Yun na lang 'yung asikasuhin natin," she went on. —ALG, GMA News

Tags: lenirobredo, lenirobredo52ndbirthday
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