Grace Poe braves floods to visit pa’s tomb

MANILA, Philippines-Neither rain nor floods could stop Sen. Grace Poe and from visiting the tomb of her father, the late action star Fernando Poe, Jr. in inundated Manila on Tuesday.

Poe Jr., who died from complications of a stroke on Dec. 14, 2004, would have turned 74 on Tuesday.

Poe, her husband Neil Llamanzares and their three children, went to the North Cemetery on the boundary of Manila and Quezon City where Poe Jr., who ran unsuccessessfully for president in 2004, is buried.

She said they were lucky their van was able to navigate through the side streets from Quezon City to reach the side gate of the cemetery despite the floods.

Senate President Franklin Drilon announced very early on Tuesday that work in the chamber was being suspended.

Sen. Chiz Escudero also alerted reporters to the cancellation of two hearings of the finance committee.

Senate majority leader Alan Peter Cayetano and minority leader Juan Ponce Enrile postponed their news conferences set for the morning.

Sen. Loren Legarda stressed the need for local government units (LGUs) to “work on preventing and mitigating disasters such as floods, and not merely respond to their onslaught.”

“We must learn from our experiences, practice enhanced disaster preparedness and response, and be proactive in reducing the risk of disasters,” she said.—Cathy Yamsuan