Poe hopes next leader would be ’unifying force’

Presidential candidate Senator Grace Poe. Photo by/ Jay Morales

Presidential aspirant Grace Poe expressed hope on Thursday that the next leader or administration would become a “unifying force.”

“Kung sino yung magiging susunod na administrasyon maging unifying force,” Poe told reporters after attending the 8th GoNegosyo Filipina Entrepreneurship Summit at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

“Kahit nasa kabila ka, opposition ka dapat mabigyan ng pagkakataon manilbihan kung walang kaso, matino at magaling,” she said.

(Whoever leads the next administration could be the unifying force.

Even if you’re from the other side, the opposition, you should still be given the chance to serve if you are free from pending cases, intelligent and competent.)

Poe made the remark a day after she and her running mate, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, were reportedly prevented from holding consultation meetings with students in a school in Capiz Wednesday.

The senator did not confirm the report but said it should have not been allowed under the administration’s “daang matuwid” policy.

READ: Did LP sabotage Poe-Escudero forum in Roxas bailiwick?

Poe said she did not want to dwell on it anymore but reiterated her call that students in all parts of the country should be given a chance to listen to candidates so they could make the right choice in the upcoming elections.

“Kami naman sa gobyernonn may puso kahit na taga Davao, Cagayan, Capiz at kung saan pa man, importante na wala kang pababayaang Filipino kaya pumunta talaga kami doon sapagkat hindi naman porke’t meron na silang kandidato ay hindi na namin dadalawin yun at kami ay nagpapaslamat dahil sa taliwas sa sinasabi ng iba ay napakainit ng pagtanggap at napakasaya po ng aming pagtitipon dun,” she said.

(We, in the government, have hearts even for those in Davao, Cagayan, Capiz, or wherever else; what’s important is that no Filipino is neglected so we really went there. Just because they already have a candidate then we won’t visit the area and thank them because contrary to what others say, they gave us a warm welcome and we had an enjoyable gathering there.)

READ: Poe, Escudero vow to serve even those from Roxas turf

Poe and Escudero and their senatorial bet Neri Colmenares had only two activities in the province, the known bailiwick of her rival, former Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, when they went there Wednesday.

Poe reiterated the need for a leader that unified when asked again about her promised she made in her speech during the summit in Pasay City.

Among her promises include lowering of income tax rates, putting up CCTV cameras in barangays to prevent crimes and faster wifi connection in all parts of the country.

“I think I can deliver all those promises and I think the Filipinos should really have a leader that unifies…” she said.

“I always take a stand but the important thing is to be able to carry the will of the people,” the senator added. CDG