Sen. Grace Poe at Holy Angel University in Angeles City. Photo by Ryan Leagogo/INQUIRER.net
ANGELES CITY, Pampanga — In this known bailiwick of her father’s rival, Senator Grace Poe vowed to help those who are in need, political allies or foes, should she get elected president in the upcoming elections in May.
Poe made this promise when she spoke before a rally held at the Plaza Miranda here, hometown of former President and now detained Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
It was Arroyo who defeated Poe’s father, the late action king Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ), during the 2004 presidential race that was allegedly marred with massive fraud, one of which was the “Hello Garci” controversy.
READ: Grace Poe: Whatever happened to ‘Hello Garci’?
WHAT WENT BEFORE: ‘Hello Garci scandal’ investigation
“Mga kababayan, nasabi na rin si Senator Chiz, ang kulay namin ay puti. Wala kaming kulay, dilaw man, pula o asul sapagkat lahat ng Pilipino, saan mang panig ng Pilipinas, gaano man kalayo, kalaban man namin sa pulitika, lahat ‘yan na nangangailangan ay aming tutulungan,” Poe said in her speech, referring to her running mate, Senator Francis Escudero.
(My countrymen, just like what Senator Chiz told you, our color is white. We have neutral color, not yellow, neither red nor blue because as all Filipinos anywhere in the Philippines, near or far, political foes or allies, all need our help.)
“Hindi ako tinuruan ng aking tatay na maging benggatibo…,” she said. “Si FPJ ay isang simpleng tao, totoo. Naging tanyag na artista. Pero sa kanyang personal na kapasidad ay tumulong siya sa kanyang kapwa. Pangarap niya talaga na ang bawat Pilipino ay magkaroon ng patas na pagtanggol sa gobyerno at oportunidad.”
(My father didn’t teach me to be vengeful. FJP is a simple man, that’s the truth. He became a popular actor. But in his personal capacity, he helped his fellowmen. His dream for every Filipino is to be treated equally in government, to have equal opportunities.)
Poe and Escudero, along with some of their senatorial candidates were in the province to court the votes of Arroyo’s constituents.
READ: Senatorial bets take stage at Poe-Escudero rally in Pampanga
The lady senator said her father had also taught her how to be honest and help her fellow countrymen.
“Hindi ko po dudungisan ang kanyang alaala,” said Poe.
(I won’t tarnish his memory.)
In her speech, Poe also hit the Commission on Elections (Comelec), which cancelled her certificate of candidacy for President because of citizenship and residency issues.
READ: Escudero: Alleged draft resolution on Poe DQ case aims to counter NPC support
“Mga kababayan, ako nga mismo, senador na na nakaupo, kung gipitin pa nila sa Comelec ay ganoon na lamang. Ano pa kaya ang mga ordinaryo nating mga mamayan?”
(My fellowmen, even if I am an incumbent senator, I am being persecuted at the Comelec without letup. How much more for our ordinary citizens?)
“Hindi na pwede ‘yan sa ating bagong sistema ng gobyerno. Dapat lahat kayo ay may patas na pagtanggol at pagkakataon sa ating gobyernong may puso,” she said.
(That can’t be allowed in our new system of government. All of you must have equal rights and opportunities in our government that has a heart.)
Despite the issues being hurled at her, Poe said she never had sleepless nights.
“Yung mga iba kung ano-ano ang mga isyu. Basta masasabi ko sa inyo, kahit may problema tayo, basta nakakatulog tayo nang mahimbing sa gabi, wala tayong idinadaing na takot sapagkat wala naman tayong nilamangan na tao,” the senator added.
(Others have so many issues [against me]. What I can tell you is that even if we have problems, we sleep well and sound at night and we don’t cower in fear because we didn’t take advantage of other people.) TVJ