Presidential candidate Senator Grace Poe. Photo by Jay Morales
“No one is perfect,” so said presidential aspirant Senator Grace Poe, who is still reeling from criticisms that she is a melodramatic person.
“Sabi nga nila masyado raw madrama ang aking buhay. Wala akong magagawa yun ang binigay sa atin ng Panginoon,” Poe said when she spoke before the 8th GoNegosyo Filipina Entrepreneurship Summit at the World Trade Center in Pasay City on Thursday.
(They say that my life is dramatic. There is nothing I can do about it, God gave it to me.)
“Lahat tayo may hamon na pinagdadaanan at importante sa mga pinuno natin ay naiintidihan ang ating pinag dadaanan,” said the senator, who was found abandoned as an infant in a church in Iloilo.
(All of us have challenges to overcome and it is important that our leader understands these challenges.)
However, while her life may be full of drama, Poe said, she uses it as an inspiration and strength not to give up on challenges.
“Wala namang perpekto sa atin, lahat naman tayo ay may kapintasan o lahat naman tayo ay may pinagdaanan. Pero huwag kayong magpapatalo kung ang ginagawa ninyo ay para sa kabutihan nyo at sa kabutihan ng inyong pamilya. Magtulungan tayo at kayo ay magtatagumpay,” she said.
(No one is perfect among us, all of us have flaws and are going through challenges. However, you should not give up if you are doing things for your good or for your family. Let us help each other and you will succeed.)
Poe also tried to dispel apprehensions by those who doubt her capabilities to lead the country just because she is a woman.
“Huwag kayong matatakot na babae, sabi nila mahina lang daw. Bilang isang babae, baka walang angking tapang. Sino naman sa inyo dito ang hindi natatakot sa mga nanay nyo pag nagagalit?” she said.
(Don’t have doubts just because I am a woman, that they are saying women are weak. As a woman, they say I might not have the courage. Who among you here are not afraid of your mothers when they get angry?)
“Kaya ang mga kababaihan, may angking lakas rin. Hndi nga lang tayo masyadong nagpapakita ng lakas pero nasa loob natin yan at kaya nating harapin ang lahat ng hamon.”
(That’s why women also have the strength. We may not be showy of our strength but it is inside of us and we can face any challenge along the way.)
She then enumerated a number of women leaders, who held or are still holding key positions in government like Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales and former Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.
Furthermore, Poe cited the excellent performance of her colleagues in the Senate such as Senators Cynthia Villar, Pia Cayetano, Loren Legarda and Miriam Defensor-Santiago, her rival in the upcoming presidential elections in May.
“Si Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, matapang din na babae, resident constitutionalist ng Senado, alam lahat ng batas, memorized nya lahat yun,” she said.
(Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago is a courageous woman, resident constitutionalist of the Senate, she knows all the laws, she memorized all of these.)
“Maraming magagaling na babae na talagang pinagkukunan namin ng halimbawa kaya huwag kayong mawawalan ng lakas ng loob. Marami kayong kakampi at lalong-lalo na pag nabigyan ako ng pagkakataon…” the senator added.
(There are a number of competent women who are sources of examples so don’t lose confidence. You have a lot of allies especially if I would be given the chance (to become the president.)) RAM
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