Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday said that true leaders should be attuned to their people’s needs, so they can respond effectively and serve well.

This was how Robredo remembered her late husband, former Interior secretary Jesse Robredo, and his brand of leadership, eight years after the plane crash that took his life.

“Jesse always stood by his principles. He fought for accountability and transparency for justice and truth. This is reflected in his style of leadership,” she said.

“Datos at tamang impormasyon ang pundasyon ng decision-making ng anumang proyekto or programa sa Naga habang boses naman ng taong bayan ang naging gabay niya sa araw-araw na pamamahala,” Robredo added.

(Data and correct information are the foundation of decision-making on any project or program in Naga, while the people’s voice guide him everyday in governance.)

The vice president delivered the keynote message during the launch of Jesse Robredo Institute for Leadership and Good Governance, an online learning platform for public and private sector leaders.

The launch was part of the commemoration activities to mark her late husband’s 8th death anniversary.

Jesse, a longtime Naga mayor, died in a plane crash off Masbate on August 18, 2012.  He left behind his wife and their three daughters—Aika, Tricia, and Jillian.

Known for his “tsinelas” leadership, his legacy continues to live on in his hometown of Naga City, where he empowered the people to achieve governance.

The lady official went down memory lane recalling Jesse’s life as a mayor of Naga City for almost two decades.

According to Robredo, her late husband was “hands-on” on his job. She also mentioned how he published the budget and procurement online for his constituents and worked on to remove illegal gambling.

“Jesse was able to show us good public service is the best campaign platform of all,” Robredo said.