MANILA, Philippines — Senator Grace Poe may be losing sleep, but it’s not enough reason for her to stop from working “doubly hard.”
With just a week to go before the May 13 elections, Poe on Monday vowed to work “doubly hard” in the final stretch of the campaign.
“Running as an independent candidate without a party can be challenging. We don’t have the resources to organize big rallies,” she said in a text message.
“But when we go to places, we would see people there, enthusiastic to welcome us and listen. I am grateful because the people are making it happen.”
“Hopeful and even more invigorated, we will work doubly hard in the final stretch,” Poe added.
She said she has to work double time so she could visit more places and reach more people.
But time is running out, with only six days left before the elections.
“Nag-iisip nga ako kung ano pa ang kailangan kong gawin para hatiin ang sarili ko na mas mabilis na maka ikot, hindi mo naman pwedeng gawin yun (I’m thinking of ways to split myself, so we can visit more places. But you can’t’ don’t that),” she said in an interview over the weekend.
Poe acknowledged that topping the pre-election surveys is not an assurance of winning and should not be a reason to become complacent.
“Hind na nga ako natutulog, sa kotse na lang (I lack sleep. I sleep in the car),” she said.
Poe topped the senatorial race when she first ran in 2013. In 2016, she ran for president but lost to President Rodrigo Duterte.
Despite her loss, Poe remains the voters’ top choice for senator based on surveys conducted by various polling firms.
READ: Poe, Villar share lead in Pulse Asia senatorial survey for April
Does she still want to top the senatorial race?
“For me, I’m doing my best,” she said.
“Twelve spots naman yan so kung makapasok talaga tayo ay maraming salamat sa ating mga kababayan lalung-lalo na wala naman tayong partido (There were 12 spots so if we get in, we would be very thankful to our countrymen, especially because we do not belong to a political party),” Poe pointed out. /ee