Courting the young? Poe says she hopes youth will trust her

Senate reporters interview Sen. Grace Poe on Aug. 17. Poe on Wednesday said she was hoping that young people would put their trust on her. ARNOLD ALMACEN/INQUIRER PHOTO

Sen. Grace Poe on Wednesday fell short of announcing her plans for the 2016 elections when she said she was hoping that young people would put their trust on her.

Asked if she was wooing the youth in next year’s polls, Poe said she had been touring schools and universities to reach out to young people, particularly students.

“Well sana ako ang kanilang mapagkatiwalaan. Kahit naman noong 2013 ang ikot namin talaga ay sa mga state universities and colleges. Kasi mas maaabot mo ang marami sa kanila sa mga institusyon na iyan. At ang isa pa dito sa Pangasinan dahil ang tatay ko ay tiga-rito,” Poe said in an interview with reporters in Pangasinan.

Emphasizing the youth’s role in nation-building, Poe said she had been consulting students, school and local government officials regarding the needs and concerns of young people on education and employment every time she visited schools across the country.

“Alam mo masaya kasi makipag-usap sa mga bata at sa totoo lang ang yaman ng ating bayan ay ang bata nating workforce. Pero we have to have capability as a nation so that our children will be competitive,” Poe said.

“Sabi ko nga, ako’y nagpapasya pa lamang. Pero kung sakaling ako’y magdesisyon, dapat handa, hindi lamang sa kung ano gagawin mo, kundi mga solusyon para sa mga problema na kinakaharap din ng iba’t ibang sektor lalong-lalo na mga kabataan,” she added.

Poe on Monday visited the vote-rich Cebu to talk before students of University of San Carlos. She was also the guest speaker during the International Youth Day celebration of the National Youth Commission earlier this month.

READ: Poe asks youth: Side with leaders with integrity | Grace Poe rallies young netizens to push FOI bill

Leadership over length of service, ratings

While she has yet to declare her political plans in 2016, Poe noted that leadership or competence as a public servant had nothing to do with length of service in the government.

“Ang pagiging isang lider ay ang kakayahan ng isang tao na ipagsama-sama ang ating mga kababayan, bridge relationships and especially ibigay sa kanila ang solusyon sa kanilang mga pangangailangan,” she said.

Poe, former chief of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board from 2010 to 2012, topped the 2013 senatorial race as an independent candidate.

Despite being the frontrunner in recent preference surveys for potential presidential bets, Poe is still mum if she will seek higher office next year. She, however, is believed to be running with Sen. Francis Escudero.

“It shouldn’t be just about the high ratings, it should be about the quality of leadership that you can offer,” Poe added. Yuji Vincent Gonzales/RC

Screen grab from Sen. Grace Poe’s Twitter account

Screengrab from Sen. Grace Poe’s Twitter account