Binay vs Poe fight looms

SEN. GRACE POE: I am grateful for the President’s kind words. No one can deny his reforms in governance and the economic gains. I believe in his vision. PRIB PHOTO

After getting unexpected praise from President Benigno Aquino III, Sen. Grace Poe on Friday said she would look to him for direction in her role in shaping the future of the Philippines.

In a text message to the Inquirer, Poe said she shared Mr. Aquino’s dreams for the country even before she was elected to the Senate in 2013.

“I intend to seek his guidance in whatever role I may find myself in for the good of our country,” Poe said.

Poe said she was grateful for the President’s kind words and she praised him for his reform programs and policies that turned around the country’s economy.

“No one can deny the reforms in governance and the economic gains under his administration. I believed in his vision for our country even before I was elected into office,” Poe said.

“He has persevered with his vision even through many challenges,” she added.

READ: Poe to seek Aquino’s guidance regarding role in the future

President Aquino, in a radio interview on Thursday, said he was convinced that Poe could continue and sustain the gains of his administration, the primary requirement he had set in picking a candidate he would endorse to take his place in Malacañang in next year’s presidential election.

“We worked hard for [the gains of my administration]. We worked on them with blood, sweat and tears so they could become permanent and not just last for six years,” Mr. Aquino said.

“And we believe that Senator Poe is one of those we expect to continue, and can really continue, [what we have started],” he said.

Poll standing

Mr. Aquino has begun talks with prospective administration candidates for 2016, including Poe, who ranks second to Vice President Jejomar Binay in the polls.

READ: Aquino: Poe can really continue what I’ve started

The daughter of the late movie actor Fernando Poe Jr. and formerly head of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, Poe, an independent, topped the 2013 senatorial election, a surprise showing that made her the most-sought-after candidate among political parties aiming to supplant the ruling Liberal Party (LP) next year.

Mr. Aquino and Poe met two weeks ago, but they are not ready to disclose what they talked about.