By Raymund Antonio Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday spearheaded the launch of her husband’s biography, Jesse Robredo: His Story, which remembers him for his legacy of public service and good governance. Vice President Leni Robredo (Photo by OVP) In her message, she recalled how her Jesse refused to “succumb to the lure of patronage politics and entitlement” when he was still the mayor in Naga, her hometown. “Although Jesse had many innovative programs that transformed Naga City as well as the lives of the people who lived there, we realized that it was really his character and leadership style that resonated with the grieving nation,” she said. The Jesse M. Robredo Foundation, in partnership with Synergeia Foundation, organized the book launch held at the City Grand Hotel in Makati City. JMRF is an organization established by Jesse’s friends and relatives while Synergeia is a coalition of local governments, sociocivic groups, and various sectors that implement programs to improve basic education for school children. Jesse’s book was first unveiled in Naga City to mark the commemoration of his 6th death anniversary last August 18. He was a six-term Naga mayor then he served as the interior secretary during the Aquino administration until his untimely death. Jesse died in a plane crash in Masbate six years ago. Speaking at the launch, the Vice President said Jesse’s book was not only about his story. “It is also a way of documenting the thoughts and different perspectives of many different people who had worked with Jesse through the years,” Robredo, a lawyer, said. “This is not only a story of one person, but this is a story of the different roles my husband played when he was still alive,” she added.