Poe kicks off provincial leg of campaign in father’s hometown

Reelectionist Senator Grace Poe returns to Pangasinan, the hometown of her father, the late Fernando Poe Jr., to launch the provincial leg of her campaign on February 19, 2019. PHOTO courtesy of Senator Grace Poe.

MANILA, Philippines — Reelectionist Senator Grace Poe returned to her father’s hometown in vote-rich Pangasinan to launch the provincial leg of her campaign.

“Ito ay probinsya ng aking ama at itong mga kababayan niya ay tinanggap din ako nang buong-buo at hindi po nagbago ang kanilang tiwala at ako’y nagpapasalamat (This is my father’s province and these are his people. They accepted me and their support never wavered. I am grateful.),” Poe, daughter of the late movie icon Fernando Poe Jr., said in a chance interview on Tuesday.

She said it’s “heartwarming” to witness the resident’s unwavering support for her as she is again counting on their help in the coming election.

“Aside from the warmth that they extend, we also have friends and relatives here. Kaya ‘pag pumupunta ako dito, hindi ako bumibisita, umuuwi ako. Siguro ako lang ang isa sa iilan sa tumatakbong senador na may ugat dito sa Pangasinan (If I come here, I am not merely visiting, I am coming home. Maybe I’m one of the few candidates for senator who has roots here in Pangasinan),” the senator said.

Poe noted that Pangasinan delivered the most votes for her during her senatorial run in 2013 and in the 2016 national elections where she ran for president.

During her visit, the senator met with students at the Pangasinan State University-San Carlos campus and some local officials.

She also attended a student forum at the Virgen Milagrosa University where she was welcomed by around 3,000 students. /ee