Following Senator Grace Poe’s lead in recent presidential surveys, a militant group on Friday said the surging numbers of the neophyte senator revealed an “indictment” of the administration of President Benigno Aquino III.
In a statement, Anakbayan said Poe’s popularity may be attributed to her “independence” and her “distancing from Aquino and the Liberal Party.”
“Grace Poe’s lead in most polls, more than anything, shows that the people have had enough of the Aquino’s inept, porky, and massacre-prone government,” the statement read.
Anakbayan also called Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, the presumptive standard-bearer of the ruling LP, as “kulelat.”
“Initially, she (Poe) floated the idea of being endorsed by the president and running as LP VP but got flak for it. Aquino’s blessing at this point is clearly a kiss of death,” Anakbayan said.
In May, Aquino admitted meeting with Poe regarding the senator’s possible role in the 2016 presidential elections. The two met again on June 10 in Malacañang but did not reach an agreement.
Poe, however, previously said the president asked her to “be ready” to continue his reforms.
READ: Aquino, Poe meet again | Aquino admits meeting with Poe to discuss 2016 plans | Aquino: Poe can really continue what I’ve started
“Her pointing to Aquino as ultimately responsible for the Mamasapano offensive was a turning point,” Anakbayan added.
Poe, head of the Senate committee on public order, led the Senate probe which found Aquino “ultimately responsible” for the botched Mamasapano operation.
READ: Senate draft report: Aquino ‘ultimately responsible’ for Mamasapano mission
Poe emerged as the top presidential pick in a Pulse Asia poll released on Thursday, overtaking former frontrunner and now second placer Vice President Jejomar Binay. The lady senator also topped the latest Social Weather Stations survey of potential presidential candidates.
Poe was also the top choice for vice president in the Pulse Asia survey.
READ: Grace Poe now leads presidential survey; Binay falls to 2nd | SWS: Grace Poe tops Binay as most preferred Aquino successor | Poe zooms past Binay
“Poe should veer away from Aquino and the Love Pork army and focus on developing a pro-people platform,” Anakbayan said.
Poe, however, has not yet announced if she would seek higher office or any plans in 2016.
READ: Grace Poe: I’m not salivating over presidency
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