16 Tarlac mayors vow to back Poe

Sen. Grace Poe delivers her speech during a campaign rally in Tarlac City.

TARLAC CITY — With just one week left  before the May 9 election, local support for Senator Grace Poe’s presidential candidacy continues to swell — even in the home province of President Benigno Aquino  III.

Aquino is pushing for Poe’s rival,  former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas.

Poe received the backing of the local chief executives in 16 of the 18 cities and municipalities of Tarlac province when she campaigned here on Monday with  senatorial hopefuls Neri Colmenares and  Roman Romulo.

The mayors vowed to deliver the votes for Poe on Election Day, said a statement from her office.

Her supporters in Tarlac include Mayors Betty Lacbayan of Anao, Jose Feliciano of Bamban, Erlon Agustin of Camiling, Antonio Rodriguez of Capas, Andres Lacson of Concepcion, Eloy Eclar of Gerona, Michael Manuel of La Paz, Estelita Aquino of Moncada, Concepcion Zarate of Pura, Diosdado Reginaldo of Ramos, Elma Macadamia of San Clemente, Jose Yap of San Jose, Benjamin Tesoro of San Manuel, Francisco Mangahas of Santa Ignacia, Maria Angeles of Tarlac City and Christian Yap of Victoria.

Aside from the 16 mayors, Governor Vic Yap and Second district Representative Susan Yap also welcomed Poe, who went around the city before speaking to different sectors early Monday.

Tarlac has more than 739,000 registered voters.

“Siyempre, buong Pilipinas pinupuntahan natin hangga’t maaari para magpasalamat; limitado lang talaga ‘yung oras ngayon. Kaya nga masaya ako ‘pag nagmo-motorcade e. ‘Pag kaharap mo ‘yung tao, iboto ka man nila o hindi, nakikita mo sila, nakikita mo ang kalagayan nila, lalung-lalo na ‘pag pumapasok sa mga masisikip na barangay at eskinita, makikita mo talaga ‘yung kakulangan din sa ating lipunan,” Poe said in a statement.

Last week, local government officials from Ilocos Sur, Zambales, Bicol provinces, and Marikina City also endorsed Poe, the daughter of Fernando Poe, Jr. and Susan Roces.

In her speech in Tarlac, the senator reiterated her promise  to be tough on crime and illegal drugs while observing due process.

She said her “Gobyernong May Puso” will also prioritize programs directly benefiting the poor, such as free irrigation for farmers, free lunch for students in public daycare centers and elementary schools nationwide, and free kinder-to-college education for indigent students

Poe said progress could reach the grassroots if only the people would choose a leader who genuinely understands what they need.

From Tarlac, Poe’s campaign proceeded to the towns of Muñoz, San Jose, and Guimba in Nueva Ecija.

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