Poe to bare ‘unifying’ senatorial lineup this week

MANILA, Philippines - Presidential candidate Sen. Grace Poe will announce her “unifying” senatorial lineup this week as she vowed to put a stop on party politics, where non-allies are not given enough government projects, if she wins.

Poe said every person who will be able to help the administration would be given a chance to work for the benefit of the people regardless of party affiliation. 

In Virac, Catanduanes, she told supporters that she expects more disqualification cases to be filed against her during the run-up to the national elections.

She is not a bit worried though, maintaining that she has a strong legal defense.

Without naming names, Poe however took potshots at the Liberal Party “whose leaders resorted to giving more in terms of budget and projects to its allies and leaving others behind in the implementation of projects.”

Poe and running mate Sen. Francis Escudero attended Friday’s declaration of the senatorial bid of lawyer Lorna Kapunan, who was endorsed by the Aksyon Demokratiko founded by the late senator Raul Roco.

Aside from promising equality in government projects, Poe also pushed for government and private sector development programs for women to alleviate poverty and malnutrition. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) earlier reported that gender sensitive programs could produce better results for food security and nutrition.

“Women are usually the ones who have to manage the household budget, and, more often than not, they will prioritize the needs and welfare of family members, especially their children. When women have access to income, they will surely put food on the table,” Poe said.

The senator also reiterated the need to protect the rights of marginalized sectors, provide equal opportunities for livelihood and social services, like education and health, and the creation of more programs and services to alleviate poverty in the country. 

Tamang Panahon

Poe told her supporters in Virac she is confident that the three disqualification cases against her will be dismissed.

She promised to reveal sa tamang panahon (in due time) the group and the people who are working to disqualify her and derail her presidential run.

“We will reveal their names in due time because we owe it to you (people). You deserve to know the real characters of these candidates and the people surrounding them,” she said in Filipino. – With Celso Amo