Grace Poe surprised to land number one in Senate race

Grace Poe file photo

MANILA, Philippines—Grace Poe is thankful for landing on the top spot in the ongoing canvassing of votes for the Senate.

“I am surprised. I didn’t know this would happen. I am happy. I continue to pray to the Lord. I hope I win according to His goal,” she said in Filipino in an interview with anchor-broadcaster Jake Maderazo of “Banner Story” on Radyo INQUIRER 990 AM early Tuesday.

“Though we’re still not sure we’d land on the top spot because counting is not yet over, I am not nervous anymore because I think I am already in for the Magic 12,” she added.

She noted that in the second to the last poll survey conducted by Pulse Asia, she was number three and Senator Loren Legarda was consistent in the number one spot.

Asked by Maderazo to name five people she wished to say “thank you,” she named her mother, actor Susan Roces, as number one.

Second is re-electionist Senator Chiz Escudero, who she said was consistent in helping her in the campaign. Escudero served as spokesman for her father, Fernando Poe Jr., when the late actor ran for president in 2004. Many believed Poe Jr. won the reportedly fraud-ridden elections over President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Third is President Benigno Aquino III, who invited her to join his administration as chairperson of the Movie Television Review and Classification Board and later, to run under Team PNoy.

For the fourth and fifth, she said in equal footing she is thankful to Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, Senator Franklin Drilon and Senator Serge Osmeña. The three names are behind the powerful Liberal Party, which forged partnership with Nationalista Party and the Nationalist People’s Coalition to form Team PNoy.

She also gave credit to former President Joseph Estrada, who endorsed her even if she didn’t run under the United Nationalist Alliance. “Malaking bagay na sinuportahan n’ya ako (It’s a big factor he supported me),” Poe said.

Legarda, Escudero and Poe were initially guest candidates of UNA but were eventually dropped in the beginning of the campaign period after failing to attend the proclamation rally down south.

Poe said her advanced congratulations to Estrada, who as of last tally early Tuesday, is leading the mayoral post of Manila.

For more, listen to the attached audio clip from Radyo INQUIRER 990 AM.