FORMER Vice President and now Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo said she is not easily affected by online trolls, explaining that emotional discipline and lessons from her late husband, former DILG secretary Jesse Robredo, have helped her navigate criticism.
In an interview, Robredo said she does not take attacks personally.
“I am not a very emotional person,” Robredo said. “So I don’t get hurt easily.”
She shared that one of the most important lessons she learned from her husband was viewing criticism as a “blessing” that pushes leaders to improve.
“One of the things I learned from my husband is that it was a blessing,” she said. “Naging mahusay siya, naging matino siya because of that. So kahit naiinis ka kapag may mga ganito, humuhusay ka because of what you go through.”
Robredo said she reminds herself of this perspective whenever things become difficult.
“So ako, when things get rough, ’yun na lang ang iniisip ko,” she said. “Mabuti naman na may nagbabantay sa akin para maging mahusay ako. Mapipilitan akong maging mahusay.”
She added that while trolls also exist in local politics, they have little influence because people in Naga City know her personally.
“May mga trolls din laban sa akin dito,” Robredo said. “Pero because people know me up close, hindi naman sila naniniwala.”
