Vice President Leni Robredo continues to tell memorable stories about the late former President Benigno Aquino III who was her and her late husband, Interior secretary Jesse Robredo’s friend.
Jesse, who died in a plane crash in August 2012, served under the Aquino administration, and always had good things to say about the late ex-president, the vice president said.
Robredo recalled Aquino was very particular about honoring her husband in his death.
“During the first day of Jesse's wake in Naga, the Malacañang people who were in Naga were scrambling to find a big Philippine flag in all the stores in Naga. They said PNoy saw the TV coverage and he didn't like the flag draped on the coffin because it was too small,” she said in a Facebook post.
But since they cannot find a big enough flag in Naga, they had a big one flown from Manila on the next available flight.
On that same day, the former Chief Executive suggested to the Robredo family to bring Jesse’s body to Manila for a short wake seeing as he served as one of Aquino’s Cabinet members.
READ: Robredo reveals PNoy offered hero’s burial for husband Jesse
“I wasn't sure if it was a good idea. I remember telling Sec Dinky Corazon Juliano-Soliman at that time that Jesse only had few friends in the City and very few people might come. I was assured that so many people wanted to pay their respects but couldn't go to Naga. I finally agreed,” she said.
Robredo initially thought that the wake will be at the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) headquarters or in Jesse’s office at Camp Crame.
It turned out that Aquino wanted to bring Jesse to Malacañang, which was not the usual case for a Cabinet secretary.
Robredo remembered being worried that the security protocols would be tough “and Jesse's friends from the different sectors he has been working with might not be able to have access.” Her husband worked with fisherfolks, informal settlers, farmers, and many more.
“They promised that they would find a way. So, eventually, they decided that the wake would be at the Kalayaan Hall because it would be easier to secure and they guaranteed that everyone will be given access,” she said.
Together with their three daughters—Aika, Tricia, and Jillian—they rode on a small plane with her husband’s casket beside them.
They were brought to Malacañang where the then President was already waiting to receive them personally.
READ: ‘Heartbreaking loss’: Robredo says Aquino a good friend, honest president
Since they were already informed about the formality of the event, the vice president said she wore a black dress and a pair of old black pumps that her mother-in-law has gifted her.
She hadn’t worn those shoes for a long time and by the time that they were marching with Aquino, who was then clad in a formal barong along with the other members of the Cabinet, the entire rubber sole of her right shoe started falling.
Robredo remembered that the Presidential Security Group (PSG) was quick to notice her predicament. They picked up the detached sole while she dragged her feet until they all reached Kalayaan Hall.
After a short ceremony, Aquino suggested they take a rest first because they haven’t slept a wink since the night before. By then, the PSG already has a glue on hand to attach the sole of her shoes, but not before former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte arrived to present to her the Resolutions of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
“Hinarap ko sila na nakapaa ako (I faced them barefooted),” Robredo wrote with a smiley emoticon.
Then, Social Secretary Susan D. Reyes asked someone to buy a new pair of black pumps for her from nearby SM Manila. Robredo said that nine years after, she wore that same pair when she went to Aquino’s wake at the Heritage Park last June 24.
After Enrile and Belmonte left, Robredo said she felt so exhausted that she fell asleep on the couch. But when Aquino came and saw her sleeping, he had a bed moved to that room for her and the kids.
The ex-President also left Daim chocolates for them because Jesse apparently loves taking those from his office to bring home to them.
“Nakakahiya talaga kami (We’re really embarrassing). So whenever I see those red wrappers Daim is known for, si PNoy naalala ko (I remember PNoy),” Robredo said.
She added that after work, Aquino spent time at the wake and stayed there until “way past midnight” talking with the staff.