Poe:  A candidate’s character  is more important than a college degree

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Grace Poe believes that  the character  of a  person seeking an elective post,  is more important  than a college degree.

The senator issued the remarks when asked  about the proposal to require  a college degree  from Senate candidates.

“Alam mo, sa isang demokrasya, hindi mo puwedeng sabihin na kailangan college graduate lang ang tatakbo kasi dapat lahat may representasyon,” Poe said in an interview in Vigan City,  Ilocos  Sur   on Wednesday.

(In a democracy, you cannot say that only college graduates can seek elective positions because everyone should be represented.)

“Ang importante, magkaroon ng pagkakataon ang ating mga kababayan na makilala at makilatis ang bawat kandidato. At ang pagkatao ang pinaka-importante, hindi ang mga napag-aralan kundi kung paano ka bilang isang tao,” she added.

(What’s important is the people get a chance to know and scrutinize every candidate.  And a candidate’s personality is the most important factor, not one’s educational attainment, but how he or she is as a person.)

Earlier, Senator Manny  Pacquiao  agreed with the proposal to require a college degree for  those planning to run for either senator or president.

Pacquiao himself has no college degree  when he won  in the 2016 senatorial race.

But in an interview over  ABS-CBN News Channel early  Wednesday,  Pacquiao revealed that is already in the process of earning a college degree.

READ: College degree for presidential, senatorial bets? Pacquiao agrees

Poe, who is seeking reelection, returned  to Ilocos Sur,  province where  many of   the movies of her  father, the late action star,  Fernando Poe Jr., were filmed.

Poe also talked about the struggle and benefits  of running an independent campaign.

She said it was not  easy as she does  hold big rallies unlike other  candidates.

At the same time, Poe saw this as an opportunity to  reach out to more people whenever  she  visits schools and public markets.

She likewise stressed the importance of   electing an independent candidate to  ensure  the checks and balances in the Senate.

If  reelected, Poe said she  would continue to push  for  the passage of the  Freedom of Information bill  and  another bill  that would establish the Disaster Management Department, among others. / gsg