Yes, Aquino’s endorsement matters, asserts Grace

Sen. Grace Poe: Don’t read too much. Senator Grace Poe. FILE PHOTO/PRIB

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines—President Aquino’s endorsement would still matter, according to Sen. Grace Poe.

Poe told a news conference here Monday that many people continued to believe in the President whom she described as a “decent man.”

“Personally if he endorses me (for president or vice president), it will be my honor,” she said.

“Will it help me? I believe it will because I do not want to enter into an alliance with a person who does not have a good reputation.”

Poe said that the President may have made some mistakes “because we are all just human, but we cannot say that he is a thief, he is a decent (matino) man.”

Sen. Serge Osmeña earlier said that Aquino’s endorsement of a candidate for president next year would have no effect on the electorate because Filipinos vote for whom they want.

Poe, however, said Aquino’s endorsement would “help at least my morale because I know a decent man is endorsing me.”

Poe was in Bacolod for consultations on the financing aspect of the recently crafted Sugarcane Development Act that would provide P2 billion annually for the development and diversification of the sugarcane industry.

She was with Sen. Chiz Escudero both at the consultations and at the press conference.

They met briefly with Sugar Regulatory Administrator Ma. Regina Martin, and at noon they met with Negros Occidental Vice Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, 15 mayors and 27 vice mayors at L’Fisher Hotel in this city.

In an interview, both remained noncommittal on whether they planned to seek higher elective posts next year.

“We are continuing our discernment and prayers and research so that if we decide before October, we will have a complete road map to present,” Poe said.

She said she was called to a meeting with President Aquino once where he stated that it was important for him to have a candidate who would continue what he had started.

Escudero, for his part, said his support for Poe was unconditional and he would respect whatever decision she makes.

Vice Governor Lacson asked Poe if she would consider teaming up with Escudero.

Poe replied: “My life is run by Ilonggos—the people in my household and my aunts. We can also adopt someone from Bicol,” in apparent reference to Escudero.

Should she decide to run for a higher post, Poe said her priority, aside from fighting graft and corruption, “which I think this government has implemented quite well, is to implement programs that will truly benefit the poor, by ensuring inclusive growth.”

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