Tsinelas leadership, a term derived from the Filipino word for flip-flops, refers to the rural grassroots and poverty alleviation program started by the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, the husband of Vice President Leni Robredo, as Mayor of Naga City.
Concept
As mayor and mayoral spouse, Jesse and Leni Robredo initiated a consultative assembly in the far-flung baranggays 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. This also became the symbol used by Vice President Robredo during her campaign.
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. A fundraising program is organized yearly on the death anniversary of Jesse Robredo as a way to fund and reach the private initiatives of the foundation.