‘Teacher’ Grace Poe to critics: ‘At least I’m not an experienced thief’

Senator Grace Poe. ARNOLD ALMACEN / INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

PANGASINAN, Philippines–Senator Grace Poe on Friday shot back at critics who belittled her experience as a teacher to qualify her to run for president.

“Totoo bago pa lang ako sa gobyerno, hindi ko naman kailangang ng ilang dekada sa gobyerno para maging pangulo,” Poe said when she spoke before the students of the University of Pangasinan here.

(It’s true, I am a newbie in the government. But I don’t need several decades in the government to be president.)

READ: Grace Poe: Leaders need more than just experience

“May nagsabi pa nga, ‘ano ba naman ang experience ni Senator Grace Poe, teacher lang ‘yan.’ Hindi ba mga teacher ang nagtuturo sa atin?” she asked.

(There are even those belittling my experience as a teacher. But aren’t our teachers the ones that educate us?)

She did not name names but Poe made the remark a day after her rival, Vice President Jejomar Binay, questioned the ability of a teacher to lead the country.

READ: ‘Experienced’ Binay takes a dig at ‘inexperienced’ Poe

While in the United States, Poe worked as a preschool teacher.

Poe boasted that in her short time in the Senate, she has conducted many important hearings such as leading the investigation on the Mamasapano incident.

“Totoo, kulang ako sa karanasan sa pagnanakaw at pangungurakot (It is true, I don’t have the experience in stealing)…” she said, drawing cheers from the crowd.

“Matapang ba si Senator Grace? Pinalaki akong matapang pero pinalaki akong huwag maging mayabang,” she further said.

(Is Senator Grace brave? I was raised to be courageous, but never arrogant.) IDL