Poe looks at bright side despite gloom over DQ ruling

AN “initial victory” of the people and a “positive step for democracy” were how Senator Grace Poe described on Wednesday the inclusion of her name on the list of presidential candidates for 2016.

But Poe said the reversal of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc decision to cancel her certificate of candidacy (COC) “will truly allow the 2016 elections to be representative of the people’s will.”

“Ako ay tunay na Pilipino na naninirahan sa ating bansa nang mahigit sampung taon. Ang pagsama ng pangalan ko sa balota ay paunang tagumpay ng taumbayan,” she said in a statement.

“Patuloy po tayong tumatayong kandidato. May pananalig ako na kakatigan ng Korte Suprema ang katotohanan at karapatan ng taumbayan na pumili ng kanilang mga pinuno. Gaya ng lagi kong sinasabi, hindi lamang po ito tungkol sa akin; higit sa lahat, ito ay tungkol sa pagpapahalaga sa boses ng bawat Pilipino,” said the senator.

Poe, an independent presidential candidate, reiterated that she would overcome the legal hurdles concocted by allies of her political opponents “so that Filipinos will not be robbed of a choice for president.”

She said she will ask the Supreme Court to overturn the cancellation of her COC by the Comelec en banc, and declare her qualified to run for president.

“Patuloy po nating lalabanan ang panggigipit ng ating mga katunggali, at ang alinlangang idinudulot nito sa ating mga kababayan. Kahit maikli lang ang oras na ibinibigay sa atin, susunod po tayo sa tamang proseso na buo ang tiwala sa batas,” she said.

Poe said she would continue to bring her platform of government to Filipinos in every part of the country and seek input from the marginalized sectors of society, who she says are the main reason why she decided to pursue a higher form of public service.

“Wala po akong ibang hangad kundi isama ang lahat ng Pilipino sa pag-unlad at bigyan ang bawat isa ng pagkakataon na iangat ang kanilang sarili mula sa kahirapan, sa tulong ng gobyernong hindi nang-iiwan,” she said.

The senator said she and running mate, Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, remain committed to a positive and platform-centric campaign.

“Naniniwala po kami na kung sino man ang nagnanais na itaas ang kamalayan ng ating mga kababayan ay dapat magsimula sa isang malinis na kampanya,” Poe added.