Jillian Robredo, the youngest of Vice President Leni Robredo’s three daughters, said during a live “kwentuhan” on Sunday, Feb. 6, that it was the hardest for her to accept that her mother planned to run for another national post.
For Jillian, it was a “slow burn” because the Vice President had to tell about the decision in a gradual manner.
“Ako ‘yung pinakanahirapan mag-accept na kailangan niya tumakbo. Ayoko na talaga siya tumakbo (I had the hardest time accepting that she needs to run. I really don’t want her to run) for another national position, pero nung nag-announce, all in na rin (but when she announced, we’re all in, too),” she told YouTuber Janina Vela.
Miel, the youngest daughter of Senator Kiko Pangilinan and movie star Sharon Cuneta, added that it took a while before she got used to her father’s decision to run as Robredo’s vice presidential running mate.
“It took some getting used to, I'm still getting used to it now,” she said.
Jillian, who will graduate this May with a double degree in Mathematics and Economics at the prestigious New York University, shared it was what happened in the past six years that made her hesitant to let her mother run again.
“Kasi (Because) the last 5, 6 years, parami nang parami ‘yung fake news at trolls (fake news and trolls are increasing). As a bunso, medyo nahuhurt ka na ‘yun sinasabi (the youngest, you get hurt about what they say) about your parents kasi alam mo naman na hindi totoo (because you know it is not true),” she added.
But Kakie, Pangilinan’s daughter, understood why the senator has to do it.
READ: Jillian Robredo, Frankie Pangilinan to help campaign for parents while studying in US
“For me, this is a pivotal, important election and it couldn't have been about our comfort. It was about integrity and things we fundamentally believe in,” she said.
Having the Vice President at home with her is no different from an ordinary mother-daughter day, Jillian shared, adding that Robredo cannot be a “VP” at home because she still asks her to do things for her.
Jillian is currently at home in Naga to prepare for the campaign kick off on Tuesday, Feb. 8, while Kakie is back in New York to continue school.
Their parents' political status, however, did not deter them from their roles at home.
Kakie and Miel shared that Pangilinan is an active member of the Parent-Teacher Association at school, and that he would be the only “Daddy” in the meetings.
“He'll really make time, he'll really sit there in the little tiny school desks, really talk to the teachers, pick you up, take you to lunch after,” Kakie shared.
“Quality time talaga (really) love language ni (of) Daddy,” Miel said, with Kakie sharing that Pangilinan would always spend whatever free time he has with his children.
On the other hand, Jillian said Robredo was a “tiger mom” because she remembered being more scared of her than her teachers.
READ: VP Leni admits she's a ‘bad cop’ to 3 daughters
“Medyo ganoong vibes si Mama before dahil kapag tinetest ka niya, mas na-stress ako sa (That’s Mama’s vibes before because when she tests you, you get more stressed with her) practice tests niya than actual test sa (in) school,” she added.
But now that she’s back home for the time-being to help with her mom’s campaign, Jillian said she looked forward to having her bedmate.
However, because the Vice President had to study for interviews and debates recently, she usually fell asleep on the couch, leaving Jillian by herself in their room.