Poe backs Senate reelection bid of former rival’s daughter

Sen. Nancy Binay. Photo by RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines – Setting aside their past  political differences, Senator Grace Poe  on Wednesday endorsed  the reelection bid of  Senator Nancy Binay at a campaign sortie  in Tondo, Manila on Wednesday.

Poe and Binay’s father,   former Vice President Jejomar C. Binay, ran for president in the 2016 elections.

At the rally she organized for fellow reelectionist senators, Poe  urged  the public  to  also vote for  Senator Nancy Binay.

“Huwag nyong kalilimutan, alam ko naglaban kami noong huling eleksyon, pero kilala ko ang anak nya at ang anak nya  ay  napakasipag na kasama ko,”   Poe said, apparently referring to  Nancy’s  father.

(Her father and I squared off in the presidential elections.  But I know his daughter who is a very hardworking colleague.)

“Wala kaming partido na nag-endorso sa amin,  o malaking partido pero magkasama kami ngayon,” she went on, this time referring  to  her fellow senator.

(We are not being backed by major parties, but were together here now.)

Sen. Binay, meantime, joked  about her skin color  when  she introduced  herself to the  crowd.

“Ako po si Nancy Binay. Nakikita nyo na ako?  Kasi kanina ho wala, uling lang pero ngayon andito na ako sa harap nyo,”  she said in jest.

(I am Nancy Binay.  Can you see me? Earlier, you may have seen charcoal, but now, I’m right here in front of you.)

Turning serious, she  appealed to the public to vote for her and Poe.

“Pagdating ho sana ng May 13, huwag nyo ho sana akong kalimutan kung pwede katulad po ni Sen. Grace isingit nyo din po sa balota,” she said.

(On May 13, please do not forget to vote for me and Sen. Grace Poe.)

“Ako rin po ay magce-celebrate ng aking birthday sa May 12. Siguro ho kung pwede baka ipa  birthday nyo na sa akin na ilalagay nyo  ang aking pangalan sa balota at pag  kami nanalo ni Senator Grace Poe, dito ho ako manlilibre pagkatapos ng birthday ko,”  she added.

(I will be celebrating my birth anniversary on May 12, so your vote can be my birthday gift?  If Grace and I win, I will throw a birthday bash for you here.)

In the same rally, Poe endorsed the reelection bid Senators Sonny Angara,  Cynthia Villar,  Bam Aquino, JV Ejercito,  and Koko Pimentel. / gsg