‘I am Grace Poe, Filipino’

Update

“I AM Grace Poe. A Filipino. A daughter, wife and mother. And with God’s grace, I offer myself for the country’s highest calling as your President.”

With those words delivered in Filipino and interrupted by thunderous chanting of her name, Poe finally ended all speculations and formally declared on Wednesday that she will run for president in 2016.

Poe became the third politician to formally announce a presidential bid, after Vice President Jejomar Binay and former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas.

“When my father ran for the presidency, he was ridiculed; his inexperience was scoffed at and his citizenship questioned. Yet he bravely faced the challenge and the opportunity to help change the lives of his fellow Filipinos for the better,” she said in Filipino when she faced the jam-packed Bahay ng Alumni , in the University of the Philippines in Quezon City.

She was referring to her father, actor Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ), who ran but lost to former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the 2004 presidential race.

“His integrity, courage and goodness have become both my guide and inspiration. My mother also gave me sound advice. She said, ‘My child, amidst the loud noise of politics, never ever lose yourself.’”

This time, Poe was referring to her adoptive mother, veteran actress Susan Roces.

“My life is an open book. Who would’ve thought that a foundling would ever become senator? I thank you for giving me that opportunity,” she said.

Abandoned by her biological parents in September 1968 in a church in Iloilo, Poe was adopted by FPJ and Roces. She topped the senatorial race when she first ran in 2013.

“Don’t ever forget that Filipinos are a very able race. We are loving, creative and resourceful. We can achieve whatever we want for this nation if we work hard, be vigilant, and make sure we have an honest person to guide us through our journey,” she said.

“We should stick together, because one person cannot bring about this change. Anyone who promises he alone can do it is already lying.”

“I hope you will join me in crafting a bright and meaningful future for our motherland, the Philippines,” she further said.

Before announcing her presidential bid, Poe enumerated at least 20 platforms of government that she would like to do for the country and the Filipino people.

Among them, she said, is to continue the government’s fight against corruption and immediately pass the proposed Freedom of Information Bill.

“No one man or group holds a monopoly on “Tuwid na Daan.” President Aquino has done much to curb corruption and I am thankful that it has restored the people’s faith in an honest leader,” Poe said.

“It is only right to continue the fight against corruption. We will hold the corrupt accountable, whether they be friend or foe. This should be the crusade of every Filipino, not just one person or party.”

To strengthen transparency in government, he senator said, she would push for the passage of the Freedom of Information bill at the soonest possible time.

Poe also promised to lower the tax rates in the country, which she said is the highest in the world.

“People know what their needs are and they have a right to choose how to spend their hard-earned money. But if government lowers taxes, we should reciprocate by paying the right taxes. And this I guarantee: Every peso you pay will be returned to you in fast and quality service.”

“Filipinos need no longer kill fellow Filipinos. With peace, real progress can touch all corners of the country,” she said.”

“To our Moro brothers, your culture and heroism were the inspiration for many of my father’s films. After a long and hard history, it is time that you are given equal opportunities and genuine assistance.”

The senator likewise pressed the country’s claim over the disputed West Philippine Sea.

She said: “The West Philippine Sea is ours. We will protect our right through peaceful means, and according to international law. We will beef up our Coast Guard and armed forces so that we need not be intimidated by other countries.”

Included in the senator’s wish list was to address the worsening traffic condition in the country, which she described as “OA.”

“OA na ang trapik! Sa airport man o sa kalsada, inuubos nito hindi lamang ang oras natin, kundi pati ang pasensya. Inaagaw nito ang panahon na sana ay para sa trabaho o makapiling natin ang ating pamilya’t mahal sa buhay,” she said.

To address the problem, Poe saw the need to build more roads and trains not only in Metro Manila but all over the Philippines.

“We should ensure that our train project is awarded to a contractor with strong capability and track record in long-term maintenance. We should clean our drainage systems. We should provide coats and boots for the people who manage our traffic,” she said.

“We should remove all colorum and illegally parked vehicles. We should implement staggered office hours. No roadwork should be left unfinished. We should immediately fire contractors who don’t stick to the approved timetable,” the senator added.

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