Oops! Poe says she was told of poll covenant but got wrong date

Sen. Grace Poe throws a giveaway to her supporters in Tarlac City.

TARLAC CITY, Philippines—Presidential aspirant Senator Grace Poe explained her absence in the signing of a covenant for truthful and honest elections on Monday, saying she was informed that the event would be held on May 4.

Her political rivals, former Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II and Vice President Jejomar Binay, were the only presidential candidates present during the signing of the covenant for a Truthful, Responsible, Upright, Transparent & Honest (T.R.U.T.H.) elections at the Manila Cathedral this Monday morning.

READ: Roxas, Binay sign ‘truth’ covenant

“Of course, of course, I will sign that covenant. From the very beginning I’m for unity, I’m for peace, especially when it comes to our elections, kailangan mapayapa (it sould be peaceful). Ang nangyari po kasi nakatanggap ako ng paunang text ukol dito, sinasabi May 4… (I received a previous text saying the event would be held on May 4)” Poe said when asked why she was not in the signing.

“Nagpapadala sila ng liham pero ako diretso kasi ‘yung isa sa mga organizer sa akin nagtext weeks ago, so nilagay ko na ‘yon sa aking kalendaryo. Siguro nakita nila sa office… parang iniisip, ah baka ito ‘yon, baka ito ‘yon. At talagang hindi nagkaunawaan.”

(They sent a letter but one of the organizers texted me weeks ago so I noted at my calendar. Maybe they saw it in the office and thought “this may be it” and there was a misunderstanding.)

“Pero para sa akin naman kasi ang diwa noon ay ang nasa puso mo na nakaukit na talagang pipirmahan mo ito, naniniwala ka dito. At sa tingin ko, kung maikukumpara mo rin sa ibang mga kandidato, ginawa namin ang lahat para magkaroon ng malinis na kampanya, na hindi naman kami nagtatapon ng putik, na hangga’t maaari kami ay nakasentro lamang sa isyu,” she further explained.

(But for me, the essence of the event is in your heart, you would really sign it and you believe in it. And I think, compared to other candidates, we did our best to have a clean campaign, that we did not engage in mudslinging and as much as possible, we focused on the issue.)

READ: Grace Poe: Stop mudslinging, debate platforms instead

Poe said the signing also coincided with her sorties in this city, hometown of President Benigno Aquino III, who is campaigning for Roxas.

“Dapat talaga ay nandoon ako kaya lamang doon nga, ito’y naka-commit dito. Maraming taong mga naghihintay at nakalagay doon sa aking kalendaryo May 4,” she said.

(I should have been there but it coincided with my sorties in this city. There were many people waiting for my and it was noted at my calendar that the event would take place on May 4.)

Poe said she would sign the covenant this week. RAM

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