Aletter written by former Vice President Leni Robredo in April 2024 has resurfaced and is now making waves after being furnished to Opinyon Bicol. Addressed to Councilor Ghiel Rosales and other local officials, the letter underscores Robredo’s deep concerns over alleged corruption and governance failures during Mayor Nelson Legacion’s term—concerns that ultimately prompted her to run for mayor in 2025, despite Legacion still being eligible for another term.
The letter highlights serious allegations against the Legacion administration, including:

• Kickbacks from public works and infrastructure projects
• Payoffs from STL/jueteng operators
• Misuse of government resources to prepare for reelection campaigns
• A growing culture of corruption and lack of transparency in City Hall
  Robredo lamented how these issues tarnished the legacy of ethical leadership established by her late husband, former Mayor Jesse Robredo. “It is truly heartbreaking that we have reached this point,” she wrote, calling on local officials to address these issues and restore the city’s integrity.

Why Robredo Decided To Run
In the letter, Robredo revealed that running for mayor was never her original plan after stepping down as Vice President. She had initially considered returning to Congress or continuing her work with the Angat Buhay NGO. However, the escalating corruption allegations against Legacion and the apparent inaction of local officials led her to reconsider.
Robredo described how the mounting reports of corruption and deliberate attempts by Legacion and his allies to exclude her from city affairs compelled her to take a more active role in addressing the crisis. “This much undeserved treatment and the alarming allegations against the current administration left me no choice but to heed the call of concerned Nagueños,” Robredo explained.

A Deliberate Isolation
Robredo also disclosed how she and other prominent figures, including Congressman Gabby Bordado and former Mayor John Bongat, were deliberately excluded from city events and decision-making processes. She accused Legacion of actively undermining her credibility while spreading false claims of her involvement in a fabricated group chat allegedly plotting against him.
She further described how Mayor Legacion refused to engage in dialogue with her, despite her repeated attempts to address these issues privately.

Naga’s Tarnished Reputation
In the letter, Robredo expressed profound sadness over the erosion of Naga City’s once-pristine reputation as a bastion of clean and progressive governance. She recounted how people outside the city approached her, questioning what had happened to Naga under its current leadership.
“Is it not incumbent on each of us to find out if any of these claims truly have basis? Instead of letting the next elections dictate every move, it is your primary duty to perform the required checks and balances,” Robredo urged local officials in the letter.

Call To Action
Robredo’s letter concluded with a fervent plea for accountability, transparency, and a return to the governance principles that had once defined Naga. She called on officials not to allow political alliances or vested interests to overshadow their duty to the people.

A Turning Point For Naga
With its contents now under renewed scrutiny, the resurfaced letter has added a layer of urgency to public discussions on the governance failures of the Legacion administration. Observers note that this letter played a pivotal role in Robredo’s decision to challenge Legacion in the 2025 mayoral race, despite him still being eligible for another term.
As the 2025 elections approach, the letter is expected to remain a central issue, framing Robredo’s candidacy as a direct response to a call for reform and a restoration of Naga’s tarnished reputation.