Grace Poe apologizes for ‘perception’ that she let go of Lacson

Senator Grace Poe has apologized over the “perception” that she dropped former Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson from her senatorial slate in 2016.

“Naku ako po’y humihingi ng tawad dyan ano, sa perception na yan (I apologize for that perception),” Poe said in an interview over DZMM Tuesday afternoon when asked about Lacson’s claim that he was dropped from the slate in favor of another candidate.

READ: Lacson: Poe dropped me from slate in favor of Edu Manzano

She said that while she and the former senator had indeed talked about the possibility of the latter’s inclusion in her slate, they thought of giving other candidates a chance since Lacson has already been included as a guest senatorial candidate of the Liberal Party (LP) and the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).

READ: Poe on dropping Lacson: Give others a chance

LP ’s standard-bearer in 2016 is former Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, while UNA is rooting for Vice President Jejomar Binay.

“Ang isa pang iniisip naman din namin, may kakayahan para manalo din si Senator Ping, bigyan din natin ng pagkakataon ang iba na wala sigurong partido o mas konti ang kakayahan pero meron din namang maiaambag para may pagpipilian ang ating mga kababayan,” Poe said.

(We’re also thinking that Senator Ping has a chance of winning so let’s also give a chance to those who have no party or have fewer resources but can contribute so that people will have more choices.)

“Pero inuulit ko, kahit na anong partido ang makakuha kay Senator Ping, sya po ay siguradong panalo at karangalan po ‘yan na magkaroon ng isang katulad n’ya,” she added.

(I repeat, which ever party will get Senator Ping is fortunate because they have someone like him who is a sure winner.)

And while Lacson welcomed the possibility of joining her slate, Poe said the former senator could not commit to the mechanics of their campaign .

“Pero ginagalang ko ‘yun sapagkat ‘pag kumuha ka syempre mahirap ding magbigay ng mga kunwyari itong ‘yung mga nais natin. Para sa amin kasi bagamat hindi ka makakasama sa amin palagi bilang isang adopted candidate, dapat medyo may malinaw na meron din sigurong bukas na pagkakataon na magsama-sama din tayo,” the lady senator added.

(I respect that because we know that our picks will not always be able to comply with our requests. For us, if you cannot always join us as an adopted candidate, there should be a definite schedule when we can campaign together.) IDL