'Take a stand for your children's sake'

MAYOR Jesse Robredo opened the door this morning to the possibility of backing out in favor of his wife Leni if the feared conspiracy involving Malacañang remains on track.

Addressing City Hall employees on top of a jeep after power supply again went out, Robredo also clarified that he remains a candidate for the meantime, as the controversial decision of the Special First Division of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) only concerns a quo warranto case for his current term, not his candidacy for reelection as mayor

The message that most roused the hundreds who massed for their weekly flag rite came when Robredo pointed out that the issues involved is no longer just about him. Rather, it is about teaching powerful politicos here and in Malacañang that the people of Naga will not back down from fighting for what is right and true and just.

He also emphasized the importance of sending that message now to prevent evil-minded politicians from doing the same to the next generation of Nagueños.

A Malacañang-backed conspiracy

Robredo also disclosed reasons why he believes Malacañang is involved.

1. A Comelec official in Manila warned him during the Holy Week break that he is being set up for the kill. "The 2004 case is now being resurrected," the source added. The Brawner decision all but confirms that warning.

Except for the case title and complainant, that quo warranto case is the same one that 2001 mayoralty rival Rodolfo Fortuno filed against him, which the Comelec dismissed at the division and en banc levels, and the Supreme Court also threw out for lack of merit.

It also finally convinced Leni beat the March 29 deadline, filing her own candidacy for mayor at 9:30 pm -- as Jesse's insurance just in case.

2. DepEd-Naga's acting superintendent Ruby Abundabar was unceremoniously replaced in the middle of the ongoing electoral campaign -- the first in six mayoral tiffs that he figured in.

Senator Mar Roxas, Robredo's Liberal partymate, and Solita Monsod, his fellow trustee at Synergeia Foundation, managed to finally track down Education Secretary Jesli Lapus for an explanation. They both got the same answer: "My hands are tied. Those are my marching orders."

Kinship with the Villafuertes

Robredo also explained how he and Luis Villafuerte, the Kampi national president, former governor, incumbent congressman of Camarines Sur's 2nd congressional district, and a bitter political adversary since the '90s, share a common ancestor -- a Chinese migrant who adopted the christian name Serafin Lim Robredo.

Serafin, who came to the Philippines during the latter part of the Spanish times, sired both Soledad Robredo and Juan Robredo with different women. The former is Villafuerte's mother, which explains his Robredo surname; the latter -- also known as Lim Teng -- was Jesse's grandfather.

Keep the faith amidst difficulties

Finally, he encouraged city hall employees to be patient in the middle of difficulties arising from the oppositionist stand he took.

"Dai ta nguna pagparasiribotan an mayo. Ta pag napasala kita, baka pati an yaon na, mawara pa." (We should not worry so much about what we don't have. Because if we commit a mistake, we might even lose what we have.)