Poe: SC will side with truth

MANILA, Philippines – Allowing her to run for president in the 2016 polls would be a reflection of the people’s will, Sen. Grace Poe said over the weekend, adding the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to keep her in the list of presidential candidates was a positive sign.

“I am a true Filipino living in this country for more than 10 years. The inclusion of my name in the ballot represents an initial victory for the people. I am still a candidate,” she said in Filipino.

She added: “I am confident the Supreme Court (SC) will side with the truth and with the right of the people to choose their leader.”

Poe, an independent presidential candidate, said the issues raised against her were concocted by her political opponents, adding that her camp would convince the SC to overturn a Comelec decision to disqualify her from next year’s presidential race.

“This issue is not just about me. It’s about giving importance to the voice of every Filipino,” she pointed out. “We will continue to resist pressure from our foes and erase doubts in the minds of our supporters. Even with limited time, we will follow the process with full trust in the law.”

Poe said she would continue to articulate her platform of government to Filipinos while getting inputs from them on how to better improve the condition of the marginalized members of society.

“I have no other wish but to make every Filipino benefit from progress with the help of a government that leaves no one behind,” she said.

The senator, who set a record in the 2013 senatorial elections by garnering more than 20 million votes – the highest number ever cast for a candidate – said she and running mate Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero remain committed to a positive and platform-centered campaign.

“We believe the first step toward higher awareness is clean campaign,” Poe said.

Some 50 million Filipino voters are expected vote on May 9, 2016.

Meanwhile, many Filipinos abroad denounced the Comelec for disqualifying Poe.

“We denounce under unequivocal terms the Comelec en banc decision on leading presidential candidate Grace Poe as tantamount to criminal abuse of discretion and a clear case of criminal discrimination against innocent and powerless citizens of society,” said Jun Caringal of the Grace Poe for President Movement-USA.

Caringal said the Comelec decision was a clear and blatant disregard for evidence, law and jurisprudence.

He said the “politics of exclusion being employed by the Comelec” would have a bearing on Filipino-Americans who may return to their country of birth to serve in the political process.

“Imagine, we will be subjected to the same ordeal and expect the same difficulties as Grace Poe is facing now,” said Caringal. – Non Alquitran