Grace Poe texts back to Edgar Erice: ‘Who you?’

Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice has texted Sen. Grace Poe to ask about her plans in the 2016 elections and dissuade her from running for the presidency, but his number is not on the senator’s contact list.

“May I ask who this is? Pasyensa na problem with my phone directory,” Poe replied.

“Cong. Egay Erice maam,” Erice texted back.

A text message that has been circulating says Erice paid Rizalito David to file the disqualification cases against Poe over her citizenship before the Commission on Elections and the Senate Electoral Tribunal.

David claimed Poe could not run for the presidency nor retain her Senate seat because she was not a natural born citizen. Poe was a foundling left in a church in Jaro, Iloilo, before being adopted by actor Fernando Poe Jr. and actress Susan Roces.

Erice texted Poe to try to ask for a meeting and clarify that he didn’t have a role in the ouster moves by David.

“Sen. Grace ma’am. May I respectfully seek an audience so I can personally assure you that I am not part of those who question your being a Filipino, as being maliciously peddled in the social media. I have some information that I can share with you regarding this,” Erice’s message to Poe said.

Erice also tried to convince Poe that she was not yet ready to gun for the presidency when Liberal Party standard-bearer Interior Secretary Mar Roxas was expected to run for the post.

“I made it clear in my other comments, that it should be taken as an advise and advocacy rather than criticism. Last year I was the first one who espoused the idea of a Mar-Poe tandem as the perfect team and up to now it is my belief. I am sorry but it is my opinion that you are not yet ready for the presidency but I will respect whatever will be your opinion and decisions. After all we are accountable for whatever we say or do as public officials,” his text message further read.

“We can agree or disagree on issues but I will always respect you. Thanks ma’am,” Erice concluded.

Poe apparently didn’t have Erice’s number on her phone, so she asked who the sender was, saying there was a problem with her directory.

After Erice introduced himself, Poe replied, “Hahaha … Hello. Thank you for your heartwarming text sir.”

Erice first floated the idea of Poe running as vice president for Roxas who had fared poorly in voters’ preference polls.

In an interview at North Manila Cemetery during the 76th birthday of her father, the late action star FPJ, Poe said she was grateful for Erice’s invitation to talk with her.

“Ako’y nagpapasalamat sa kanya at nag-effort siya na talagang sumulat. Hindi ko pa alam kung kailan kami magkikita. Una, hindi naman ako miyembro ng LP pero gayunpaman, reaching out, I appreciate it. Maraming salamat sa kanya,” Poe said. Marc Jayson Cayabyab, Aries Joseph Hegina/RC

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