What is tsinelas leadership of Jesse Robredo?

Tsinelas leadership is a term derived from the Filipino word for Flip-Flops, which refers to the rural grassroots and poverty alleviation program started by interior Secretary, Jesse Robredo, the husband of Vice President Leni Robredo, as Major of Naga, Camarines Sur.

As a major and mayoral spouse, Jesse and Leni Robredo initiated a consultative assembly in the far-flung barangays of the city to gather information on the needs of the local community.

Both leaders have been noted to wear tsinelas or cheap flip-flops while traversing muddy terrain both as a practical foot wear, that became a symbol of the struggles of the rural communities.

In order to continue and consolidate this grassroots program, a non government foundation was launched as the Jesse M. Robredo Foundation Inc. The foundation runs the Tsinelas Leadership Awards for the best practices of rural local government units.