Poe: I remain a friend of Aquino despite differences on issues

TOLEDO CITY, Cebu – Sen. Grace Poe may have turned down the offer of President Aquino to run for vice president under the Liberal Party but the two remain good friends.

Proof of this was Poe’s presence during Mr. Aquino’s birthday bash in Malacañang.

“Nagpunta ako sapagka’t kaibigan ko siya… Kapag may pagtitipon doon, palagi naman kaming iniimbitahan (I went there because he is my friend… We get invited every time there is a gathering there),” she told reporters in a press conference in Toledo City, Cebu, on Wednesday morning.

“Ang maganda sa aming relasyon ng Pangulo ay magkaibigan kami pero ginagawa namin kung ano sa tingin namin ang nararapat sa aming trabaho. Ginagalang namin ang sariling opinion hindi man kami magkapareho sa lahat ng pagkakataon pero hindi naman namin pinipersonal yun (The good thing about my relationship with the President is we are friends, but we are able to do what is right in our jobs.  We respect each other’s opinions even if we differ in our views, and we don’t take our differences personally),” she added.

Asked if she was the secret bet of the Liberal Party, thus undermining standard bearer Mar Roxas for president, Poe said she was not aware of it.

She said Mr. Aquino was the one who gave her the chance to serve when he appointed her as chair of Movie, Television Review and Classification Board.

Poe said she has always been thankful to President Aquino for giving her the opportunities to be in government.

“…Hanggang sa huli ng aming pag-uusap ipinadama ko naman sa kanya ang aking pasasalamat at pagsabi din na inspirasyon ko ang sabi niya na dapat walang tiwali sa gobyerno at dapat gawin natin ang ating responsibilidad (In our last conversation, I made him feel my gratitude and I told him that his words that there should be no corrupt in the government and that we should all meet our responsibilities, continue to inspire me),” Poe said.  SFM