After SC decision, Poe expects more politicians will jump ship soon

CANDELARIA, Quezon—Senator Grace Poe disclosed on Wednesday that many politicians from different political groups would come out in the coming days to express support for her presidential bid and join her camp after the Supreme Court’s decision, allowing her to run in the upcoming elections in May.

“Meron (Yes, (there are politicians from different political groups)),” Poe’s immediate answer when asked during a press conference here if there are politicians who have already expressed their intention to join her camp.

READ: SC: Poe can run for President

The senator, however, refused to identify them, saying they would reveal themselves soon anyway.

“In due time, malapit na,” she said. “Pero dati pa naman…Siyempre naiintindihan natin ang sitwasyon ng mga local candidates at ng iba’t ibang kandidato. Nag-aalinlangan silang sumuporta sa isang mayroong kasong nakabinbin.”

(In due time, they reveal themselves soon. But they have (expressed intentions) before… Of course I understand that situation of our local candidates and different candidates. They are hesistant to support someone with impending case.)

“So noon pa man sinabi na nila basta ma-resolve ‘yung SC (case), lalabas na kami. So tingnan na lang natin, I think in the coming days, mayroon naman. Hindi naman namin sinasabing napakarami o ano, basta marami,” Poe added.

(So they said before that once the SC (case) has been resolved, they will come out. So let’s just see, I think in the coming days, they will reveal themselves. We are not saying that the numbers are extremely large, but there are many (politicians).)

READ: SC rules in favor of Poe in DQ case

She only smiled when asked if there are politicians who would come from the administration’s Liberal Party which is rooting for her rival, former Interior Secretary Mary Roxas.

“Hintayin na lang natin sa mga darating na araw. Hindi ko naman sinasabing direkta kung sino at ano mang partido pero definitely merong mga sasama, marami nang nagsabi,” she said.

(Let’s just wait what will happen in the coming days. I am not saying directly the identities of these candidates and their respective parties but definitely a lot have expressed their intentions to join our camp.)

Pressed if there are defectors from the administration, Poe said: “Hayaan mo na. Ayokong magyabang (Let’s just wait for it. I don’t want to boast).”

Asked again if her godfather, former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, had already called her after the SC decision, the senator answered in the negative.

The senator also refused to say if Estrada had sent a feeler that he would now support her presidential bid.

“Sya (Estrada) na lang ang tanungin mo tungkol dyan. Kami naman ni Pangulong Mayor Erap, naiintindihan namin na may mga decision kaming political na hindi magkatugma so kung ano man ang decision nya ay ating gagalangin,” said Poe.

(Ask Estrada on that matter. Former President and now Mayor Erap and I understand that some of our political decisions don’t match and I will respect whatever his decision would be.

She noted that in 2013, she and Estrada went separate ways when she ran under the senatorial ticket of the administration coalition while the former leader has been with the United Nationalist Alliance, which is now rooting for its standard-bearer, Vice President Jejomar Binay.

“Syempre maganda sana kung may suporta pero yan ay personal at political na decision nya,” Poe added.

(Of course, it would be better if he would support me but that is his personal and political decision.) RAM