Benigno Aquino III was Secretary of Interior and Local Government, until Aquino named Robredo to succeed him. At least two politicians from Bicol, Luis Ortega and Luis Villafuerte Sr. expressed opposition to Robredo's confirmation by the Commission on Appointments of which Villafuerte himself was a member. In March 2012, the Commission on Appointments bypassed Robredo's nomination. His nomination was bypassed again in June 2012. Another confirmation hearing had reportedly been set on August 29, 2012, eleven days after Robredo's sudden death.
Robredo was killed in an air accident on August 18, 2012, when the Piper Seneca light aircraft he was travelling in crashed off the coast of Masbate Island. He was flying to Naga City to assist to his daughter's swimming competition. The plane suffered an engine failure en route from Cebu City, and was attempting an emergency landing at Masbate Airport. Robredo's aide, Police Chief Inspector June Paolo Abrazado, was also on board but survived.
His funeral was held at the Archbishop's Palace in Naga City before it was transferred to Malacañang Palace for an official wake on August 24, 2012. His remains were later brought back to his hometown of Naga and cremated.
Philippine President Aquino conferred the Philippine Legion of Honor with the rank of Chief Commander upon Robredo on August 28, 2012 just before the state funeral.