Senator Grace Poe. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES
On Tuesday’s proclamation rally of her team at the Plaza Miranda, Manila, just in front the Quiapo Church, Senator Grace Poe said she would let the people know that she remains a candidate for president in the upcoming elections in May and “that I am offering my candidacy to God and to our people.”
READ: Poe-Escudero party kick-off rally set for Tuesday
“The proclamation is an opportunity for us to let our countrymen know that I remain to be a candidate and that I am offering my candidacy to God and to our people,” Poe said in a text message on Friday.
“Quiapo Church is significant because it is a symbol of the devotion of our people to the Black Nazarene, and their faith that nothing is insurmountable with God’s grace,” she said.
The Supreme Court has yet to decide on Poe’s petition against the decision of Commission on Elections (Comelec) to cancel her certificate of candidacy for president because of the issues on her citizenship and residency.
READ: LIVESTREAM: 3rd session of SC oral arguments on Poe vs Comelec
Also pending at the high tribunal is an appeal on the Senate Electoral Tribunal’s decision, junking a quo warranto petition that seeks to unseat Poe as senator, still over her citizenship.
Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Poe’s running mate, dismissed any speculations that the pendency of the cases at the Supreme Court would be an issue when the team kicks off its official campaign period next week.
“There is a TRO (temporary restraining order) against Comelec from disqualifying her,” Escudero said in a separate text message.
READ: Poe case at SC not reason for delayed ballot printing – Comelec
Both Poe and Escudero did not provide other details about the kick off rally, except saying that the candidates would deliver their respective speeches.
In a separate statement, however, Poe’s spokesman, Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian, explained why the team chose such venue of the proclamation rally.
“Partido GP (Galing Puso) chose Plaza Miranda as site of its proclamation rally not only because of its historic significance but also because of the Quiapo Church,” Gatchalian said.
“Like most Filipinos, Sen. Poe is a prayerful person. She has been going regularly to Quiapo Church to pray—when confronted with challenges, when thanking God for the goodness in her life, when seeking guidance and protection. As she embarks on a very important milestone in her life, she once again seeks guidance and wisdom from our Lord God,” he said.
Furthermore, Gatchalian said the site was reflective of Poe’s “prayerful character as well as the innate character of Filipinos to turn to God and pray.”
The team, he said, was also thankful to the City Government of Manila led by former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada for allowing them to hold its proclamation in Plaza Miranda.
“Partido GP has secured all necessary permits from Comelec and the city government for the said event,” the spokesman added. RAM