Poe unfazed by slide, gets more LGU support

CALAMBA CITY – As Sen. Grace Poe is unfazed by her slide to second spot in the latest poll surveys, more local government officials have become bolder in showing their support for her presidential bid.

City Mayor Timi Chipeco expressed his full support for Poe and her team, saying he did the same for Poe’s adoptive father, the late Fernando Poe Jr., who ran for president but lost to former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2004.

Chipeco’s move follows the support thrown by Sorsogon Gov. Raul Dee, Surigao’s Ace Barbers, Cebu Rep. Ace Durano, Las Piñas Mayor Nene Aguilar, Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian and his siblings Wes and Sherwin and Rep. Albie Benitez of Bacolod.

Poe went to campaign in Surigao and Butuan provinces yesterday after visiting Calapan City and the towns of Gloria and Pinamalayan, all in Oriental Mindoro.

In her speech in Calamba City in Laguna, Poe made a pitch for women’s rights, saying that a female leader can also rise up to the challenge of fighting criminality and the drug menace.

“The fight against criminality and drugs can be done in a just manner and not in a violent way. It is important that each one of us is protected,” Poe said in Filipino.

She stressed that, if elected president, she would value accountability among the appointed officials and would rid the government of inept officers as she emphasized the need for governance with a heart for the people. –