Poe to ”continue being honest” to Filipinos as she seeks re-election

February 11, 2019

  Senator Grace Poe, who is seeking re-election in the May mid-term polls, said she '' will  continue being honest'' to Filipinos which she believes stems from their support to her late father Fernando Poe Jr. 

   In a radio interview Monday over DZRH, Poe said: ''"I will continue being honest to our people. I am npt under any political party. (I am running as senator) with the memories of FPJ (Fernando Poe Jr)."  

  Philippine movie legend Fernando Poe Jr. and his daughter Grace unsuccessfully sought the presidency, with the elder Poe losing to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2004. Tbe daughter lost to Rodrigo Duterte in 2016.

   Poe said she will focus on issues such as internet connection, rice tarrification and health, food and education programs if she secures another term. 

   "I will focus on providing faster internet connection, that is why I am really putting our attention to the Mislatel (Mindanao Islamic Telecommunication)," Poe said. 

  "I will also make sure to continue helping our farmers even though the coco levy fund was vetoed. I will push for the rice tariffication to be passed in both Houses, the farmers should be given support for the seeds, fertilizers and machineries that they need," she added.

   Poe said she is planning to push the extension of the validity of driver's license to 10 years of the driver had no traffic violations or records. 

   She also mentioned the First-time Jobseekers Assistance Act, which was passed by the Senate.

  "We are waiting for the approval from the president (President Rodrigo Duterte). If you are a first time job seeker, (under this act) you are no longer required to pay for government issued permits such as BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue) certificate, barangay clearance and hospital check-ups," Poe explained. 

  Poe is one of the consistent frontrunners for the 2019 senatorial race based on surveys by Social Weather Stations and Pulse Asia. Cristina Eloisa Baclig/DMS