Poe, Escudero resume campaign sortie in Manila

(Photo: Grace Poe/Facebook)

MANILA—Fired-up by positive results of the recent post-presidential debate Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, independent presidential candidate Senator Grace Poe and her running mate, Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero, resumed their campaign sorties after the Lenten break on Sunday.

Speaking before some 6,000 people at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila, Poe and Escudero promised a government that will not steal money from the people.

“Ang masasabi ko sa inyo ay ito: Kailangan ang inyong pangulo ay mapagkakatiwalaan ninyo, na hindi magnanakaw sa inyo, na sisiguraduhin na patas ang laban para mas maraming mamumuhunan dito at mas maraming trabahong maililikha para sa inyo,” the presidential frontrunner based on surveys said.

For his part, Escudero said that if elected, they will not steal even a single centavo from the government’s purse.

“Kailanman, kami ni Senator Grace, hindi po magnanakaw maski na piso o singkong-duling mula sa kaban ng bayan,” he said.

Contrary to accusation that they will give favor to the individuals supporting their campaign, Poe and Escudero said not a friend, a family member, or even a businessman supporting their candidacies will be given special favors or treatment.

The event, which coincided with the general assembly of Kaagapay ng Manileño Foundation Inc., was organized by Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso who is running for senator under Partido Galing at Puso (PGP) of Poe.

Aside from Domagoso, other PGP senatorial aspirants present were Neri Colmenares, Susan Ople and Roman Romulo.

Also present were Manila Councilor Honey Lacuna, vice mayoralty bet of reelectionist Mayor Joseph Estrada, other incumbent councilors, members of Asenso Manilenyo, the local party of Moreno, candidates for council, and other local officials.

Asked if Poe is invited in the local proclamation rally of Estrada on Monday, Escudero said he cannot answer for the incumbent Manila mayor, a best friend of Poe’s father, the late movie actor Fernando Poe Jr.

Last Friday, the SWS released its latest survey conducted last March 22, two days after the second presidential debate held in Cebu City.

The survey showed that Poe garnered 35 percent while Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte came in second with 26 percent, followed by Vice President Jejomar Binay with 18 percent, former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas with 17 percent, and Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago with two percent.

In the vice presidential race, Escudero remains on top with 30 percent, followed by Senztor Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos who got 28 percent; Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo with 23%; Senator Alan Cayetano with 11%; Senator Antonio Trillanes IV with 4%; and Senator Gregorio Honasan III with 2%.