Senator Ejercito supports Grace Poe; Jinggoy for Binay; Erap up for grabs
Guia Gomez decided
His mother, however, appeared to have already made up her mind.
Between Poe and Binay, Mayor Gomez said she would give her vote to the senator.
“[I]n the first place she’s from San Juan. She’s family. She’s very close to us. We know her, her capabilities, abilities, how sincere she is,” Gomez said.
She added: “I’d go for one who is a capable woman leader.”
And if Poe seeks the Estradas’ support in the elections, Gomez said the family would go “all out” for her.
A friend’s support
In a separate interview, Poe maintained that she has yet to decide whether to run.
“Senator JV is a friend. He’s close to us. If he has trust [in me], I think it’s because [we’ve known] each other for quite a long time. I am thankful for his trust. But it’s different if you’re being endorsed by a friend. That’s natural,” Poe said.
She said that at present she could not presume to have the support of the Estrada bloc in UNA.
“There are political considerations. For me, family and friends are important. But we must do what is right for the country. So if there are reasons [why we cannot get their support], we understand. What is important is that we push our own principles,” she said.
Poe said she respected former Negros Oriental Rep. Jacinto Paras’ right to bring a petition for her disqualification should she decide to run, but she was hurt by his comment that she was “ambitious.”
“It’s as if a person has no right to dream of serving the public. If he files it in court, it would be an opportunity for me to defend myself. I have nothing to hide. I respect the law and I pray for justice,” she said.
Paras, an ally of Poe’s father, the late movie actor Fernando Poe Jr., who unsuccessfully ran for President in 2004, is questioning Poe’s residency and citizenship.
He said Poe had been using a US passport as late as 2009. He also said that he would look into her citizenship, as she was a foundling.
READ: Foundling issue favors Grace Poe
Not just her fight
Responding, Poe said: “This fight is not just my fight. In our country, many kids are abandoned. I myself am thankful that I was given the proper care. I just hope [they] wouldn’t belittle anyone. Like I said, where could I come from but here?”
Her potential rival, Binay, who served as her father’s campaign manager, had said he would not challenge her qualification or question her citizenship.
But on Friday, Binay took a swipe at her during a visit to Infanta, Quezon province.
Joking about Infanta Vice Mayor Filipina Grace America’s name, Binay said: “Vice Mayor Grace . . . Grace, Grace? She’s the only Grace I know whose surname is America. I know someone named Grace but she is not a naturalized citizen.”
READ: LP solon: Poe’s citizenship non-issue unlike corruption raps vs others / Grace Poe is clearly Filipino – election lawyer
Later, Binay told reporters that he was not referring to Poe.
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