Poe sees Senate poll lead as a challenge

MANILA, Philippines — As the campaign period starts, reelectionist Senator Grace Poe admitted that the expectation that comes with leading the pre-election polls is a big challenge.

READ: Official campaign period kicks off for national candidates

READ: Poe tops Pulse Asia survey on 2019 Senate polls 

READ: Poe keeps lead in new SWS survey; Dela Rosa out of ‘Magic 12’

“Unang-una siyempre, nakakataba ng puso ‘yan ‘di ba…pero ‘yan ay malaking hamon sa kahit na sinong kandidato kasi alam naman natin na kapag nangunguna ka, malaki ang expectation sayo,” Poe told reporters during a school feeding program with 800 Payatas school kids on Tuesday.

(First, it’s heartwarming, but it is also a considerable challenge for any candidate. We know that if you are leading the poll, the expectation is big.)

READ: Poe kicks off 1st day of campaign with kids of Payatas

The senator, who clinched a Senate seat in 2013 but lost her presidential bid in 2016, also shared what she learned on the campaign trail.

READ: Poe files COC, seeks Senate reelection

“Ako naman, ang natutunan ko sa 2016, sa 2013, basta kung ano lang ang sa tingin ko na magagawa kong tulong, wala nang kaplastikan ito; ako, ito ang gusto kong gawin para sa ating mga kababayan, very basic, pagkain nila, mabigyan sila ng pagkakataong labanan ang korapsyon, ‘yun ang inaalay ko, sana maging katanggap-tanggap sa kanila,” Poe, who is running as an independent candidate in the upcoming midterm polls, said.

(I learned in 2016 and 2013 that if I can do anything to help, this is what I wanted to do for our countrymen — providing for fundamental needs like food and giving the means to fight corruption. That’s what I offer if it is acceptable to them.) /ee