Poe-Escudero rally to feature stars, not twerking dancers

Senators Grace Poe and Francis “Chiz” Escudero. RYAN LEAGOGO/INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

Expect a star-studded proclamation rally for the adopted daughter of Philippine showbiz royalties Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ) and Susan Roces.

“The entire campaign would be exciting and positive. Ang bida dun would be Senator Grace Poe, ang kanyang 10 minutes speech niya where she would expound kung ano ang goberynong may puso,” Cebu Representative Ace Durano, Poe’s campaign manager, said on Tuesday, hours before Poe’s proclamation rally at Plaza Miranda.

(The entire campaign would be exciting and positive. Senator Grace Poe would be the star, and she would use her 10-minute speech to expound what a government with a heart is.)

Durano added that there will be bands and artists who would add glitz and glamour to Poe’s proclamation rally. But he declined to name who these will be.

BACKSTORY: Stars, politicians align for Grace Poe

He said there will be no skimpy clothed women twerking in Poe’s proclamation rally, unlike the Oct. 2015 birthday celebration of Liberal Party congressman Benjamin Agarao, who received flak for having a scandalous performance which coincided with a political event.

“Star-studded, popular bands, popular singers and performers. Walang twerking. Hindi allowed ang twerking sa amin,” Durano said.

(It will be a star-studded event with popular bands, singers and performers. But no one will be twerking. We don’t condone twerking.)

Durano said the proclamation rally would all be about Poe, and not her adoptive father, the late action star FPJ.

FPJ ran and lost in the 2004 elections amid massive poll fraud allegations.

Durano said Poe’s running mate Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero would be accompanied in a few rallies by his wife, actress Heart Evangelista.

READ: Heart Evangelista troubles with family over; kin now 100% for Chiz

But Escudero’s twins won’t be able to join because they are too young to join the campaign, Durano added.

Durano said Poe’s husband Neil Llamanzares would only express support for Poe during the campaign.

“He’s more of a husband than anything else. Kung makita natin si Sir Neil sa campaign, he will not be shouting ‘vote for Senator Grace.’ Kung makita natin siya, isa siyang husband supporting Senator Grace,” Durano said.

(If you will see Neil in the campaign, you will not see him shouting ‘vote for Senator Grace.’ He will be there as a husband supporting Senator Grace.)

“Low key, but high impact,” Durano added.

READ: Grace Poe: Hubby could become ‘most handsome’ First Gentleman

If Poe wins, Llamanzares would only be representing Poe in social events and not in government functions, Durano said. Mr. Llamanzares is a dual citizen born of a Filipino couple in the United States.

Durano said Llamanzares, an American citizen, under a Poe administration would not be meddling in political and governmental affairs.

“What I know is, foreigners are not allowed to meddle in our political affairs. But the term meddle is broad… So meddling will probably be a case to case basis,” Durano said.

Asked if Llamanzares could be like the former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, who faces graft trial before the Sandiganbayan for his alleged illicit activities when his wife incumbent Pampanga representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was president, Durano said Poe would push for transparency in government over her Cabinet, including that of her husband.

Durano was the Tourism secretary under the Arroyo administration.

Durano said Poe’s camp also expects the Supreme Court (SC) to decide on the disqualification cases against Poe early March. Poe, a foundling, was disqualified by the Commission on Elections for failing to meet the residency requirements and for not being a natural-born citizen. The SC is holding oral arguments over the issue.

Durano said Poe later would discuss her platform of governance under the Partido Galing at Puso.

“’Yung gobyernong may galing at puso, what that means. ‘Yung inclusive growth saka transparency. ‘Yun ang mga major themes ng campaign,” Durano said.

(She would stress on the meaning of a government that has the capability and heart. She would also delve into inclusive growth and transparency. Those are the major themes of the campaign.) IDL

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