Sad, ‘nervous’ Poe hopes SET’s decision will be fair

Presidential aspirant Grace Poe is mob by her supporters as she leaves after the hearing for disqualification case filed against her at the COMELEC en banc in Palacio Del Gobernador, Intramuros, Manila.
EDWIN BACASMAS/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Senator Grace Poe admitted on Monday being “nervous” and sad but still confident on how members of the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) would decide on the disqualification case filed against her.

The 9-member SET is set to meet and decide on Tuesday on the case against Poe, the leading presidential bet based on surveys.

“Ako’y nagdadasal at umaasa na sanay maging patas lahat yun. Para sa akin, syempre , ikagagalak ko kung sila man ay bomoto pabor sa akin,” she told reporters in an interview in Quezon City.

(I’m praying and hoping that their decision would be fair. For me, I’d be happy of course if they will vote in my favor.)

“Subalit napakabigat rin kasi ng dala-dala natin, ang ilang libo, daang libong mga bata na parehong sitwasyon sa akin na pag ako’y dinis-qualify nila bagamat meron pa pong isang step para mag apila tayo.  S’yempre nalalagay din sa peligro ang kalagayan ng mga batang ito. Mawawalan sila ng estado o kalagayan sa Senado,” she said.

(But we’re carrying a heavy burden like hundred thousands of children who are in the same situation if they disqualify me. But there’s another step to make an appeal. Of course the cases of these children are also put in peril. They will become stateless, or a place in the Senate.)

Poe, who was abandoned by her biological parents in a church in Iloilo, has been pushing for the rights of foundling children like her.

Asked how she feels about the impending ruling of the SET, the senator said; “Tao lang naman , syempre kinakabahan , nalulungkot pero may lakas loob din kasi naniniwala ako sa tama e.”

(We’re only human. Of course we’re nervous and sad but we are confident because we believe in the truth.)

“Nasa tama naman ang aming pinaglalaban kaya lang syempre may mga konsiderasyong political yung iba at sana naman ang isipin lang nila na ang batas ay para iangat kung ano ang makatarungan.”

(We’re fighting for the truth but the others have political considerations. I hope they consider the law as something meant to uphold what is just.)

“Nasa kamay nila ang pag iinterpreta ng batas panig sa tama. Ang batas marahil ay hindi literal pero ito ay palaging ginagamit to uphold, not an injustice but something that will bring about justice. So ang pinaka defenseless sa ating bansa ay ang mga bata,” she added.

In case the tribunal rules against her, Poe said she would appeal it at the proper venue.

“Iaapela natin dahil kasama yan sa proseso. Ayaw naman nating basta sumuko hindi lamang dahil sa aking sarili kundi dahil rin sa mga nagtiwala sa akin at para sa mga bata na maapektuhan nito kung akoy susuko,” she said.

(Let’s make an appeal because that’s part of the process. We don’t want to give up not only for myself but for those who have faith in me and for the children who will be affected if I surrender.)

While she has nothing to fear, Poe said she was praying for certain members of the SET, who may have other considerations when they decide on her case. She refused to name them.

“Hindi naman sa kinatatakutan, meron ako dun sa kanilang pinagdadasal na mabuti sapagkat sa aking isip, marami sila sigurong kinokonsidera,” she said, responding to a reporter’s question.

“Ang iba sa kanila marahil ay may ibang kadahilanan pero ako’y nagdadasal, mga kasama ko sila alam naman nila na pinaglalaban ang mga karapatan ng mga bata, karapatan ng mahihirap, karapatan ng pantay pantay na pagkakataon, ito ang pagkakataon na ipakita nila…” the senator added. TVJ

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