Grace Poe says father’s life will be her guide

Grace Poe INQUIRER PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Grace Poe said the life of his late father Fernando Poe Jr. will always be her guide in fulfilling her role as a senator and a public servant.

“Sa kanyang mga pelikula, itinuro niya kung ano ang katarungan, pagmamahal sa bayan, pag-galang sa mga nakakatanda… yan ang ipinakita niya. [In his movies, he taught the meaning of justice, love of country and respect of the elderly… these were the things that he demonstrated.]

“Kaya sa kahit anong trabaho, hindi masama na ipagpatuloy natin ang mga ganyang klaseng natutunan natin [In any kind of job, it’s not wrong to continue these things that we have learned],” Poe said during the proclamation ceremony for her, and five other senators who won in the senatorial race in last Monday’s midterm elections.

Poe consistently led the race for three straight days since the counting of vote returns was started by the Commission on Elections sitting as the National Board of Canvassers.

Other candidates proclaimed as senators were Loren Legarda,  Alan Peter Cayetano, Francis Escudero, Nancy Binay, and Edgardo Angara Jr.

Poe also lauded her father for being able to help many people even when he was just a private citizen.

She, however, cited that help could reach more people in need when one holds a government office.

His father, an acclaimed Filipino movie star, ran for presidency in 2004, but lost to former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

When she starts her work as a senator, Poe—a former chairman of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board—said she would be working on bills that will benefit the young citizens, such as a standard lunch for children.

She will also be supporting the agricultural sector, among others, she said.