Grace, Chiz visit Koronadal
Potential presidential candidates Sens. Grace Poe and Francis Escudero yesterday visited Koronadal City in South Cotabato, three days after meeting with President Aquino and Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II on the possibility of coming up with a single administration ticket in the 2016 elections.
Poe and Escudero attended the province’s 49th foundation anniversary and the 16th T’nalak Festival where Poe was guest speaker.
Thousands gathered at the South Cotabato Sports Complex to join the festivity and to listen to the message of Poe.
Poe delivered a speech that further fueled speculations that she would be
joining the presidential race.
“Today, I note that we all have dreams for ourselves. But we also have dreams for our nation,” Poe said in Filipino.
“For our nation, it begins with a dream to come up with an orderly and more prosperous country. I am with you in this, in the name of my father FPJ (Fernando Poe Jr.) and the people who are with you in government,” she added.
Poe introduced herself to the people of Koronadal with a narration of her accomplishments in the Senate, such as the institution of the school feeding program, providing funds for the operation of daycare centers and free text alerts during times of national emergency and disasters.
Poe also cited the investigations that she spearheaded, specifically the probe into the Mamasapano operation and the problems faced by the Metro Rail Transit-3.
“That is why it is important that a leader has courage, because there are times when challenges arrive that require you to put up a brave front,” she said.
Poe acknowledged that she received strong support from South Cotabato during the 2013 senatorial elections, where she got the most number of votes among the candidates there.
Just as she did in 2013, Poe banked on the name of her father, who was a well-loved actor who ran for president in 2004 but lost to then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who is facing allegations of cheating in the elections.
Poe said that it was her late father and her mother, actress Susan Roces, who made her who she is right now and who inspired her to serve the people as a government official.
“What I carry with me is their good reputations. This is what I learned from FPJ: first, that you have to be honest. You must help your fellow Filipinos. I also learned from FPJ that you have to be brave. Do not back down, but do not be arrogant,” Poe said.
She also reiterated her response to the criticism thrown at her by the camp of presidential contender Vice President Jejomar Binay about being inexperienced.
“They say that a leader must have experience. I agree with that. But what is even more important is a leader whose heart is with the people and is dedicated to serving the people,” she said.
“It would be useless to have a strong intellect if your intentions are not for the benefit of the people,” she added.
In what could be seen as a shot back at the Vice President, Poe emphasized that justice must be served on people found to have committed crimes against the nation.
“It is important that the rule of law prevails. Whether you’re a friend or relative, even if it hurts, if you committed a crime against the nation, you must be punished,” Poe said.
“Because we will not learn and we will not prosper if we do not receive what is rightfully ours. Public funds are for all Filipinos and the benefits from this must be enjoyed by all,” she added.
The Vice President and members of his family, including his son Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr., are facing various charges in relation to alleged anomalies found in several projects undertaken by the city government of Makati.
Poe endorsed the recommendations made by the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee, which investigated the alleged anomalies involving the Vice President, including the filing of plunder charges against the Vice President and his son.