Grace Poe: Be wary of turncoats

Presidential candidate Sen. Grace Poe speaks during a press briefing at Milky Way restaurant in Makati on Thursday, May 5, 2016. GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

VOTERS should keep track of politicians who shift alliances at the last few minutes of the electoral campaign, and check whether the change was due to principles or expediency, presidential aspirant Sen. Grace Poe warned in a press conference on Thursday.

Candidates should be as wary of people joining their camp during the last few days of the campaign, she added.

“I think candidates like us should look at the reason for their move,” Poe said. “Did they join you because of belief in your platform? Or did they want to join those who might soon be in power?”

She said such moves should serve as the starting point for scrutinizing not just the future president, but even local leaders in the provinces. “Let us send them the message that principles are important, whether one wins or loses,” she added.

Poe said she herself was happy with the people who’ve chosen to stay with her.

“It’s a political decision for most of them. And for me, I think I have enough people in our team who have pledged support to remain with us,” she said.

There have also been politicians who chose to support her in the last two days despite adverse survey results, Poe said.

“And this, for me, is even more meaningful because you know that they are with you not just because of  expediency but because of their principles (and) belief in your platform, and that’s more long lasting,” she said.