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
