Poe respects SWS survey showing Duterte’s wide margin lead

Senator Grace Poe (Photo from Poe’s official Facebook page)

MANILA, (PNA)—Senator Grace Poe on Monday said she would respect and listen to the voice of the people following a Social Weather Station (SWS) presidential survey she was dislodged by Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

“It is important that we listen and respect the sentiments of our country,” Poe told the media after delivering speech during the National Convention of the Government Employees Association of the Philippines at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

Poe said she is using surveys as guidance on how she will deliver the message and bring her platforms of government to the people.

“All surveys can be used as guidance to deliver our message to the people. What important is that people will be assured of the government’s assistance,” Poe said.

Despite the new survey results and the Commission on Election (Comelec) Second Division’s decision to disqualify her, Poe said she is not worried and “the fight will continue.”

”You know, if you are faint of heart, there is no place for you in this kind of battle. I will not give. I just have to be focus on my job,” Poe said.

Poe believed that the disqualification cases have affected her ranking in the surveys but “we will respect the law.”

”But part of the process is to file an appeal and we believe that we have strong legal basis and we will stand by it,” Poe said.

Poe also appealed to her supporters to respect the law amid threats that the senator’s disqualification as presidential aspirant would end up on the streets.

”Although it’s one way to express our discontent, what important is we should respect the law and the sentiment of everybody,” she said.

On Monday, Poe’s camp asked the Comelec en banc to reverse the decision of its Second Division ruling to cancel her certificate of candidacy (COC).

Meanwhile, multi-sectoral groups that supported the presidential bid of Poe’s father the late Fernando Poe Jr. in 2004, hailed the decision of the Comelec not to remove the name of Poe from the election ballot.

The groups led by FPJPM and KBU are hoping that the Supreme Court will decide in favor of Poe once the disqualification case reaches the SC.

”We are hoping that the Supreme Court will come out with a decision similar to one when it allowed the people to decide on FPJ’s citizenship in 2004,” the groups said in a joint statement.

Based on the latest SWS survey, Duterte garnered 38 percent while Poe and Vice President Jejomar Binay are tied in the second spot followed by Secretary Mar Roxas with 15 points. (PNA)