Poe: I don’t owe admin allies anything

TOP CHOICE ANEW? Sen. Grace Poe shows her index finger after casting her vote. —JAM STA. ROSA

MANILA, Philippines — Reelectionist Sen. Grace Poe on Monday said she “doesn’t owe anything” to [administration allies in the Senate] for her to toe the line amid fears that the chamber would become less independent should President Duterte’s candidates sweep the senatorial elections.

The topnotcher in the 2013 midterm exercise and the people’s top choice in preelection polls, Poe also shrugged off fears that only administration-backed candidates could win this time.

“I think I can say that I am one of those who balance [out the Senate],” she told reporters before casting her vote at Sta. Lucia Elementary School in San Juan City. “If the administration’s policies are good, why not? I’m even among those who push [its] agenda forward.”

“But if I see that [their stand on issues] is questionable, then I don’t owe them anything for me to follow [them],” she added.

Duterte’s agenda

Poe has voted for several policies that hewed closely to Mr. Duterte’s agenda.

These included the burial of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. at Libingan ng mga Bayani, the martial law extension in Mindanao and the resolution against the ouster of former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

Despite this, she said, she had successfully distanced herself from the administration.

If elected, Poe said she would look at the composition of the Senate before deciding whether to be part of the majority again.

“If you notice, the majority supports several administration-backed policies, but there are also some that we have turned down. And our current Senate President (Vicente Sotto III) respects that. Now, if the Senate President [is replaced], it’s a different discussion altogether,” she said.

Poe said she would consider joining the majority again if Sotto kept the chamber’s presidency.

Senate leader’s principles

“Even if they say that several [senators] have ties to the President, it’s important that its leader has his own principles, because he protects not the Palace but the institution of the Senate,” she said.

As for her chances of winning, Poe said she felt a bit reassured considering her consistent inclusion in the top 12 in all polls.

“For me, I did everything I could in this campaign. I didn’t step on anybody. As an independent, I have no machinery, but I am happy to see that I might make it regardless, [and near the top, no less),” she said.