Past presidents should be part of advisory council – Poe

ROXAS CITY — Senator Grace Poe has no qualms enlisting the help of President Aquino as an adviser should she win in the May 2016 presidential race.

“I think every president that served our country should be part of an advisory council,” the independent presidential candidate replied when asked if she is willing to tap the outgoing President as one of her possible advisers during a press conference at a hotel in Baybay.

In fact, she pointed out the National Security Council (NSC) is composed of different groups, from the opposition and past administrations.

“And here they get to provide insights on various issues,” she pointed out.

Poe also said she believes former presidents should provide continuity or share their personal experiences to the incoming Chief Executive.

“I think the problem in this country is this, whenever somebody wins the presidency and he/she is an adversary of the previous administration, there is always a tendency to stop even projects that are worthwhile. That’s not right,” Poe argued.

Poe has been criticized for copying the Aquino administration’s “Daang Matuwid” policy when she expressed support to the present government’s conditional cash transfer (CCT) program.

Ambassador But Poe reiterated there is no reason for her administration to reject the posi- tive reforms the Aquino government has already instituted if it would benefit more people in the future.

“I believe the right things the Aquino government has done should be continued and the projects they have already started are strengthened and finish these items,” she said.

“And we can ask our President an advisory role because he has done some things commendable, like his fight against corruption,” she added.

President Aquino can also take on an ambassadorial role for the country, she said, the same role former President Fidel V. Ramos took when his term ended.

“Every president has a continued role like former President Ramos as an ambassador to the country whenever he represents the Philippines,” she pointed out.

“I believe many people love our President and he can assume this role in order to promote our country and make it known,” she said.