Grace Poe reprises FPJ: ‘Puno na ang salop’

HERS MIGHT be a government with a heart, but one that would fight back as well, presidential candidate Sen. Grace Poe vowed at her kick-off rally at Plaza Miranda in Quiapo, Manila, on Tuesday.

A tough-talking Poe quoted her adoptive father, action star Fernando Poe, Jr.’s famous movie line to underscore her battle against poverty and corruption.

“Puno na ang salop. (Enough is enough). Our tolerance for poverty, our tolerance for corruption, is at its end. Dapat na itong kalusin. We will beat it out of our system together,” she said.

The senator also warned criminals who would be a target under her administration.

“My fellow Filipinos, who say a fervent prayer every time you leave your home to be spared from thieves, your (government with a heart) will crush crime and ensure that the police will be there to protect you and keep you safe, anytime and anywhere,” she said.

Not on guest list

As for those who continue to challenge her Filipino citizenship and derail her candidacy, Poe vowed to push back: “I am ready to defend my Filipino identity, here and now,” she said.

Poe, who has been leading her rivals for the presidential post, on Monday surprised President Aquino on his 56th birthday celebration, which was also attended by administration standard-bearer, Mar Roxas.

Sources said Poe was not on the guest list of the presidential party, and that someone on the guest list must have brought her along.

Everything seemed cordial between the two presidential contenders on the eve of the official campaign period for the May national elections.

President Aquino quietly celebrated his birthday, his last as the country’s leader, at the Presidential Security Group (PSG) compound with his family, close friends, Cabinet secretaries and key government officials.

REACHING FOR THE TOP Sen. Grace Poe and her running mate, Sen. Chiz Escudero, launch their kick-off rally on Tuesday at Plaza Miranda in Quiapo, Manila. EDWIN BACASMAS

During her rally, Poe said she was not capitalizing on her being a foundling to add drama to her life and gain political support, the senator said.

Real life

“Maybe my life is replete with drama because, like the majority of Filipinos, there are difficulties that I have to struggle with. I have been oppressed and belittled, but I rise to fight again after each battle, after the passing of each storm of my life and fate,” Poe said.

“(People) may well call it drama, but this is my real life… It is the reality that many Filipinos live everyday,” she added.

The senator also noted the significance of her rally’s venue.

“The story of my life started inside a church. It is fitting that I should launch the next chapter in front of a church,” said the senator who, according to sources, was found as an infant inside a church in Iloilo.

“Therefore, in this historic spot—before the people, before God—I offer this pledge: I am Grace Poe, mother, daughter, Filipino. With all my heart and strength, I will uphold and defend programs of a compassionate government, our aspirations for the Filipino family, our hopes for the country and our children,” she said.

‘Eat Bulaga’ trappings

Once more invoking her father’s words about life not being about status or wealth, Poe said, “Each of us should be able to realize our dreams. Every child should be able to dream of becoming a teacher, a policeman, a prosperous farmer, a lawyer, even a president of our country.”

Poe’s rally had all the trappings of the “Eat Bulaga” portion called “Juan for All, All for Juan,” as the noontime show comedians Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola and Ruby Rodriguez hosted the affair.

Bayola and Manalo, at one point, even spoke as their characters Lola Nidora and Lola Tinidora of the popular “Kalyeserye” segment, as they introduced Sen. Tito Sotto, their fellow “Eat Bulaga” host and a senatorial candidate under the Poe-Chiz Escudero tandem.

Musical numbers from the band Aegis and the occasional drumming of Ati-Atihan performers added to the festive atmosphere that, however, trapped motorists in heavy traffic until early evening.

Chief Insp. John Guiagui, commander of the Plaza Miranda precinct, estimated the crowd to number about 8,000. With reports from Annelle Tayao-Juego and Nikko Dizon