Jesse Robredo
Encyclopedia
Jesse Manalastas Robredo (born May 27, 1958) is the current Secretary of the Interior and Local Government
of the Philippines
. Robredo is a member of the Liberal Party
.
On July 9, 2010, President Benigno Aquino III
named Robredo as Secretary of the Interior and Local Government
. Robredo was formerly the Mayor of Naga City
in Bicol
. Robredo is the first Filipino Mayor to receive the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service in 2000.
, Bicol
. Robredo is a second-generation Chinese Filipino
and is the third of five children (one of Jose Chan Robredo Sr. and Marcelina Manalastas two sons and three daughters).
Robredo's paternal grandfather was a Chinese immigrant named Lim Pay Co who arrived in the Philippines
at the turn of the 20th century. Lim Pay Co would later convert to Christianity and adopt the name, Juan Lim Robredo, because it was a custom that Chinese immigrants who convert to Christianity to adopt the name of their godparents at baptism and Lim Pay Co chose the name of the priest who baptized him. Jose Chan Robredo, Sr., Robredo's father, acquired the middle name Chan from his mother, it was her maiden name.
in Naga City
, for his elementary education. While studying there, Robredo began to hone his talent and love for the game chess
. Naga Parochial School was known and had established a record for winning Bicol
's annual province-wide chess tournament
and Robredo's brother had been among its champion competitors. However, when it was Robredo's turn to represent his school, Robredo only garnered second place.
In 1970, Robredo studied at Ateneo de Nagaand in September 1972, when Robredo was in the middle of high school, President Ferdinand Marcos
declared Martial Law
. Ateneo de Naga and its administration immediately called for an assembly and warned its students against getting involved in anti-government activities and efforts that this may result to the school's exposure to the risk of closure.
Robredo obtained his undergraduate degrees in Industrial Management Engineering
and Mechanical Engineering
at the De La Salle University
. Robredo was an Edward Mason Fellow and a graduate of Masters of Public Administration at John F. Kennedy School of Government
in Cambridge, Massachusetts
in 1999. In 1985, Robredo finished his Masters in Business Administration at the University of the Philippines
in Diliman, Quezon City, as a scholar and was named the Graduate School and Faculty Organization awardee for scholarly excellence.
in Mandaluyong City
, in the Physical Distribution Technical Services of the General Services Division, and within six months, Robredo had hurdled two of the three levels in the division and was then sent to the finance division for another six months.
When Robredo's immediate superior was moved to Magnolia Ice Cream
, San Miguel Corporation
's ice cream division, Robredo was invited to come along. AtMagnolia Ice Cream
, Robredo was assigned to logistics
planning and concurrently, he functioned as staff assistant to the physical distribution director.
In 1986, Robredo returned to Naga City
, where he became Program Director of the Bicol River Basin Development Program, an agency tasked to undertake integrated area development planning in the three provinces of the Bicol region.
, making him the youngest City Mayor of the Philippines at age 29. Robredo was able to transform the city from being dull and lethargic to being one of the "Most Improved Cities in Asia", as cited by Asiaweek Magazine
in 1999.
During his time as mayor of Naga City
, Robredo was credited for "dramatically improved stakeholdership and people participation in governance, in the process restoring Naga to its preeminent position as premier city of the Bicol Region."
In 1995, in recognition of Robredo's skills and competence as a leader and development manager, Robredo was elected President of the League of Cities of the Philippines, the national association of city mayors. Robredo also chairs the Metro Naga Development Council."
From 1992 to 1998, Robredo was also elected Chairman of the Regional Development Council, the regional planning and coordinative body of Bicol's six provinces and seven cities."
was Secretary of the Interior and Local Government
, until Aquino named Robredo as Interior Secretary
.
Vice President
Jejomar Binay
initially wanted to become Secretary of the Interior and Local Government
, however, Aquino stated that the post is not being considered for him, but has offered Binay various positions, such as, to head a commission that will investigate the outgoing Arroyo administration, the posts of Secretary of Agrarian Reform
, chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), and the chairman of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority
(MMDA), but Binay refused. However, on July 15, 2010, Binay has accepted the offer of Aquino to take charge of the housing sector as chairman of HUDCC.
in Manila
.
Robredo is a trustee of Synergeia Foundation Inc., a coalition of individuals, institutions, and organizations that works together to improve the quality of basic education in the Philippines. Synergeia Foundation Inc. collaborates with local governments, the Department of Education, socio-civic groups, schools, teachers, parents and students to implement systemic programs that will improve the processes, systems and structures of learning and teaching.
Robredo, together with Isabela Governor Grace Padaca
and Pampanga
Governor Ed Panlilio, launched the Kaya Natin! movement. The Kaya Natin! movement started through a meeting facilitated by the Ateneo de Manila University
- School of Government on June 2008 and has been regarded as a national movement that seeks to bring genuine change and ethical leadership in the Philippines.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (Philippines)
The Philippines' Department of the Interior and Local Government is the executive department of the Philippine Government responsible for promoting peace and order, ensuring public safety, and strengthening the capabilities of local government units...
of the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. Robredo is a member of the Liberal Party
Liberal Party (Philippines)
The Liberal Party of the Philippines is a liberal party in the Philippines, founded by then senators Senate President Manuel Roxas, Senate President Pro-Tempore Elpidio Quirino, and former 9th Senatorial District Senator Jose Avelino, on November 24, 1945 by a breakaway Liberal group from the...
.
On July 9, 2010, President Benigno Aquino III
Benigno Aquino III
Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III , also known as Noynoy Aquino or PNoy, is a Filipino politician who has been the 15th and current President of the Philippines since June 2010....
named Robredo as Secretary of the Interior and Local Government
Department of the Interior and Local Government (Philippines)
The Philippines' Department of the Interior and Local Government is the executive department of the Philippine Government responsible for promoting peace and order, ensuring public safety, and strengthening the capabilities of local government units...
. Robredo was formerly the Mayor of Naga City
Naga City
The City of Naga is a first class independent component city in the Philippines...
in Bicol
Bicol
Bikol or Bicol may refer to:*Bicol Region, the administrative region in the Philippines*Bikol languages, the languages spoken in the Bicol region*Bikol language, the standard language*Bicolano people, the ethnic group...
. Robredo is the first Filipino Mayor to receive the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service in 2000.
Early life
Jesse Manalastas Robredo was born on May 27, 1958 in Naga CityNaga City
The City of Naga is a first class independent component city in the Philippines...
, Bicol
Bicol
Bikol or Bicol may refer to:*Bicol Region, the administrative region in the Philippines*Bikol languages, the languages spoken in the Bicol region*Bikol language, the standard language*Bicolano people, the ethnic group...
. Robredo is a second-generation Chinese Filipino
Chinese Filipino
A Chinese Filipino derived from two words: "Tsino" and "Pinoy" ) is a Philippine national of Chinese ethnicity but born/raised in the Philippines....
and is the third of five children (one of Jose Chan Robredo Sr. and Marcelina Manalastas two sons and three daughters).
Robredo's paternal grandfather was a Chinese immigrant named Lim Pay Co who arrived in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
at the turn of the 20th century. Lim Pay Co would later convert to Christianity and adopt the name, Juan Lim Robredo, because it was a custom that Chinese immigrants who convert to Christianity to adopt the name of their godparents at baptism and Lim Pay Co chose the name of the priest who baptized him. Jose Chan Robredo, Sr., Robredo's father, acquired the middle name Chan from his mother, it was her maiden name.
Education
Robredo studied at Naga Parochial School, a private Catholic schoolCatholic school
Catholic schools are maintained parochial schools or education ministries of the Catholic Church. the Church operates the world's largest non-governmental school system...
in Naga City
Naga City
The City of Naga is a first class independent component city in the Philippines...
, for his elementary education. While studying there, Robredo began to hone his talent and love for the game chess
Chess
Chess is a two-player board game played on a chessboard, a square-checkered board with 64 squares arranged in an eight-by-eight grid. It is one of the world's most popular games, played by millions of people worldwide at home, in clubs, online, by correspondence, and in tournaments.Each player...
. Naga Parochial School was known and had established a record for winning Bicol
Bicol
Bikol or Bicol may refer to:*Bicol Region, the administrative region in the Philippines*Bikol languages, the languages spoken in the Bicol region*Bikol language, the standard language*Bicolano people, the ethnic group...
's annual province-wide chess tournament
Chess tournament
A chess tournament is a series of chess games played competitively to determine a winning individual or team. Since the first international chess tournament in London, 1851, chess tournaments have become the standard form of chess competition among serious players.Today, the most recognized chess...
and Robredo's brother had been among its champion competitors. However, when it was Robredo's turn to represent his school, Robredo only garnered second place.
In 1970, Robredo studied at Ateneo de Nagaand in September 1972, when Robredo was in the middle of high school, President Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos, Sr. was a Filipino leader and an authoritarian President of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He was a lawyer, member of the Philippine House of Representatives and a member of the Philippine Senate...
declared Martial Law
Martial law
Martial law is the imposition of military rule by military authorities over designated regions on an emergency basis— only temporary—when the civilian government or civilian authorities fail to function effectively , when there are extensive riots and protests, or when the disobedience of the law...
. Ateneo de Naga and its administration immediately called for an assembly and warned its students against getting involved in anti-government activities and efforts that this may result to the school's exposure to the risk of closure.
Robredo obtained his undergraduate degrees in Industrial Management Engineering
Industrial engineering
Industrial engineering is a branch of engineering dealing with the optimization of complex processes or systems. It is concerned with the development, improvement, implementation and evaluation of integrated systems of people, money, knowledge, information, equipment, energy, materials, analysis...
and Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
at the De La Salle University
De La Salle University
De La Salle University is a private Lasallian university in Malate, Manila, Philippines. It was founded in 1911 by De La Salle Brothers as the De La Salle College in Paco, Manila with Blimond Pierre serving as its first director...
. Robredo was an Edward Mason Fellow and a graduate of Masters of Public Administration at John F. Kennedy School of Government
John F. Kennedy School of Government
The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is a public policy and public administration school, and one of Harvard's graduate and professional schools...
in Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cambridge is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, in the Greater Boston area. It was named in honor of the University of Cambridge in England, an important center of the Puritan theology embraced by the town's founders. Cambridge is home to two of the world's most prominent...
in 1999. In 1985, Robredo finished his Masters in Business Administration at the University of the Philippines
University of the Philippines
The ' is the national university of the Philippines. Founded in 1908 through Act No...
in Diliman, Quezon City, as a scholar and was named the Graduate School and Faculty Organization awardee for scholarly excellence.
Early career
In 1980, Robredo worked for the San Miguel CorporationSan Miguel Corporation
Established in 1890 as a brewery, San Miguel Corporation is Southeast Asia's largest publicly listed food, beverage and packaging company with over 17,000 employees in over 100 major facilities throughout the Asia-Pacific....
in Mandaluyong City
Mandaluyong City
The City of Mandaluyong is one of the cities and municipalities that comprise Metro Manila in the Philippines. It is bordered on the west by the country's capital, Manila, to the north by San Juan City, to the east by Quezon City and Pasig City, and by Makati City to the south...
, in the Physical Distribution Technical Services of the General Services Division, and within six months, Robredo had hurdled two of the three levels in the division and was then sent to the finance division for another six months.
When Robredo's immediate superior was moved to Magnolia Ice Cream
Magnolia Ice Cream
Magnolia Dairy Ice Cream is a Philippine brand of ice cream sold domestically in the Philippines and in other markets such as Thailand, the United States, Australia, Malaysia, and Singapore....
, San Miguel Corporation
San Miguel Corporation
Established in 1890 as a brewery, San Miguel Corporation is Southeast Asia's largest publicly listed food, beverage and packaging company with over 17,000 employees in over 100 major facilities throughout the Asia-Pacific....
's ice cream division, Robredo was invited to come along. AtMagnolia Ice Cream
Magnolia Ice Cream
Magnolia Dairy Ice Cream is a Philippine brand of ice cream sold domestically in the Philippines and in other markets such as Thailand, the United States, Australia, Malaysia, and Singapore....
, Robredo was assigned to logistics
Logistics
Logistics is the management of the flow of goods between the point of origin and the point of destination in order to meet the requirements of customers or corporations. Logistics involves the integration of information, transportation, inventory, warehousing, material handling, and packaging, and...
planning and concurrently, he functioned as staff assistant to the physical distribution director.
In 1986, Robredo returned to Naga City
Naga City
The City of Naga is a first class independent component city in the Philippines...
, where he became Program Director of the Bicol River Basin Development Program, an agency tasked to undertake integrated area development planning in the three provinces of the Bicol region.
Mayor of Naga City
In 1988, Robredo was elected mayor of Naga CityNaga City
The City of Naga is a first class independent component city in the Philippines...
, making him the youngest City Mayor of the Philippines at age 29. Robredo was able to transform the city from being dull and lethargic to being one of the "Most Improved Cities in Asia", as cited by Asiaweek Magazine
Asiaweek
Asiaweek, the English edition, was a news magazine focusing on Asia, published weekly by Asiaweek Limited, a subsidiary of Time Inc. Based in Hong Kong, it was established in 1975, and ceased publication with its December 7, 2001 issue due to a "downturn in the advertising market," according to...
in 1999.
During his time as mayor of Naga City
Naga City
The City of Naga is a first class independent component city in the Philippines...
, Robredo was credited for "dramatically improved stakeholdership and people participation in governance, in the process restoring Naga to its preeminent position as premier city of the Bicol Region."
In 1995, in recognition of Robredo's skills and competence as a leader and development manager, Robredo was elected President of the League of Cities of the Philippines, the national association of city mayors. Robredo also chairs the Metro Naga Development Council."
From 1992 to 1998, Robredo was also elected Chairman of the Regional Development Council, the regional planning and coordinative body of Bicol's six provinces and seven cities."
Secretary of the Interior and Local Government
From June 30–July 9, 2010, President Benigno Aquino IIIBenigno Aquino III
Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III , also known as Noynoy Aquino or PNoy, is a Filipino politician who has been the 15th and current President of the Philippines since June 2010....
was Secretary of the Interior and Local Government
Department of the Interior and Local Government (Philippines)
The Philippines' Department of the Interior and Local Government is the executive department of the Philippine Government responsible for promoting peace and order, ensuring public safety, and strengthening the capabilities of local government units...
, until Aquino named Robredo as Interior Secretary
Department of the Interior and Local Government (Philippines)
The Philippines' Department of the Interior and Local Government is the executive department of the Philippine Government responsible for promoting peace and order, ensuring public safety, and strengthening the capabilities of local government units...
.
Vice President
Vice President of the Philippines
-Description:The Vice-President is the first in the Philippine line of succession, assuming the Presidency upon the death, resignation, or removal by impeachment and subsequent conviction of the incumbent. The position was abolished by Martial Law in 1972, and was not included in the original text...
Jejomar Binay
Jejomar Binay
Jejomar "Jojo" Cabauatan Binay, Sr. , also known as Jojo Binay or VPNay, is a Filipino politician who has been the 15th Vice President of the Philippines since 2010. Previously, he was Mayor of Makati City from 1986 to 1998 and again from 2001 to 2010...
initially wanted to become Secretary of the Interior and Local Government
Department of the Interior and Local Government (Philippines)
The Philippines' Department of the Interior and Local Government is the executive department of the Philippine Government responsible for promoting peace and order, ensuring public safety, and strengthening the capabilities of local government units...
, however, Aquino stated that the post is not being considered for him, but has offered Binay various positions, such as, to head a commission that will investigate the outgoing Arroyo administration, the posts of Secretary of Agrarian Reform
Department of Agrarian Reform (Philippines)
The Philippines' Department of Agrarian Reform , abbreviated as the DAR, is the executive department of the Philippine Government responsible for all land reform programs in the country, with the purported aim of promoting social justice and industrialization through massive taxation of rich and...
, chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), and the chairman of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority , is an agency of the Republic of the Philippines created embracing the cities of Manila, Quezon City, Caloocan, Pasay, Mandaluyong, Makati, Pasig, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Valenzuela, Malabon, Taguig, Navotas and San Juan and the...
(MMDA), but Binay refused. However, on July 15, 2010, Binay has accepted the offer of Aquino to take charge of the housing sector as chairman of HUDCC.
Awards and Recognitions
In recognition of Robredo's outstanding performance in public service, he has received 14 major individual awards which include, the 2000 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service, 1998 Konrad Adenauer Medal of Excellence as Most Outstanding City Mayor of the Philippines, 1996 Outstanding Young Persons of the World (TOYP) Award, 1990 The Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines (TOYM), and the first ever "Dangal ng Bayan" Award of the Civil Service Commission. In March 2008, Robredo was conferred an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree by the Far Eastern UniversityFar Eastern University
Far Eastern University in the University Belt area, West Sampaloc, City of Manila, is a nonsectarian, private university in the Philippines. Created by the merger of Far Eastern College and the Institute of Accounts, Business and Finance, FEU became a university in 1934 under the guidance of...
in Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
.
Robredo is a trustee of Synergeia Foundation Inc., a coalition of individuals, institutions, and organizations that works together to improve the quality of basic education in the Philippines. Synergeia Foundation Inc. collaborates with local governments, the Department of Education, socio-civic groups, schools, teachers, parents and students to implement systemic programs that will improve the processes, systems and structures of learning and teaching.
Robredo, together with Isabela Governor Grace Padaca
Grace Padaca
Ma. Gracia Cielo "Grace" Magno Padaca has been the governor of the northern province of Isabela, Philippines since 2007. Among Filipino politicians, she is among the minority not from politically connected families...
and Pampanga
Pampanga
Pampanga is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. Pampanga is bordered by the provinces of Bataan and Zambales to the west, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija to the north, and Bulacan to the southeast...
Governor Ed Panlilio, launched the Kaya Natin! movement. The Kaya Natin! movement started through a meeting facilitated by the Ateneo de Manila University
Ateneo de Manila University
The Ateneo de Manila University is a private teaching and research university run by the Society of Jesus in the Philippines. It began in 1859 when the City of Manila handed control of the Escuela Municipal de Manila in Intramuros, Manila, to the Jesuits...
- School of Government on June 2008 and has been regarded as a national movement that seeks to bring genuine change and ethical leadership in the Philippines.