Poe, Lapid on senatorial bid: No one adopted us, so we adopted ourselves

(Photo from Office of Senator Grace Poe)

MANILA, Philippines — Since no one adopted them, Senator Grace Poe and former Senator Lito Lapid chose to team up for their senatorial bid in the coming midterm polls.

“Magandang magkasama kami, pareho nga kaming naka-puti dahil wala namang nag-adopt sa amin, so in-adopt namin ang sarili namin,” Poe told reporters in an interview in Zambales on Wednesday.

“Unang-una po nagpapasalamat ako kay Sen. Grace Poe kasi ako lang mag-isa, medyo inampon niya muna ako,” Lapid said.

Poe, an independent candidate, and Lapid are both being endorsed by the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC). The former senator is an NPC member while Poe is the party’s adopted member.

Lapid likened his collaboration with Poe to the television series, “Ang Probinsyano” where he said Poe’s father also became a father figure in the series.

(Photo from Office of Senator Grace Poe)

“Dahil ‘Probinsyano’ ito, ang pagmamahal niya—lalo na doon sa teleserye, kay Coco Martin, Susan Roces—ay iisa lang ang puso namin, kaya Poe at Lapid ang magkasama talaga; kahit noon pa—tatay ko, si Fernando Poe Sr. at Fernando Poe Jr.—ang ama niya at ang ama ko, magkasama noon pa, at si Jess Lapid Sr.,” said Lapid.

Lapid played the role of “Romulo Dumaguit” or “Pinuno” in the series while Poe’s mother Susan Roces portrayed “Lola Flora.”

Ang Probinsyano is ABS-CBN’s action drama which was based on the 1997 Fernando Poe Jr. film with the same title.

Should they get elected in the Senate, Lapid said he would pursue all of his proposed legislation with the help of Poe.

“Alam mo naman ‘pag nasa puso ang pagseserbisyo; at marami pa akong hindi natatapos at ang mga isinumite kong batas ang dami pa ring hindi ko natapos noong pagkaalis ko bilang senador. Para tapusin natin, sa tulong ni Sen. Grace Poe,” he said.

Poe also assured her strong trust with Lapid, saying they also have connection with the voters.

“Panatag na ang loob namin sa isa’t isa, at saka pagdating naman sa masa, makikita mong mayroong koneksyon, so importante naman na magkasama din kami,” the senator said.

Poe though clarified that she would not only campaign with Lapid but also with other independent candidates like former Senator Serge Osmeña III, and fellow re-electionist senators like Nancy Binay.  /muf