MANILA – With the issues Senator Grace Poe and Vice President Binay are facing, the neophyte senator clarified that she was only responding to accusations and that she had no personal issues against the vice president and its family.
Poe also admitted that she was hurt by the Binay’s claims.
“Wala kaming personal na away, masakit man ang ibinato nila sa akin… Sinagot ko lang naman ang mga paratang ng kanilang tagapagsalita dahil may karapatan ang mga tao na malaman ang aking pagkatao. Wala akong itinatago sa kanila,” she said.
(We have no personal quarrel, although their accusations against me hurt [me]… I only responded to the claims of their spokesperson because the people have the right to know my disposition. I’m not hiding anything from them.)
Binay’s daughter, Makati City Representative Abigail Binay, for their part, did not want to aggravate the issues Tiangco said and wanted to personally settle disputes with Poe.
It can be recalled that United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) interim president Toby Tiangco claimed that Poe was not eligible to run for president or vice president as she did not meet the 10-year residency requirement for the said positions.
Backstory: UNA: Poe unqualified to run for president, vice president
To this, Poe responded that she was qualified to run for a higher post.
“Hindi po totoo na ako’y hindi kwalipikado. Kwalipikado po ako pero hindi pa po ako kandidato… I was here 2005 pa lang, yung mga anak ko naka enroll na sa paaralan, ready po ang transcript dyan, ready din po ang titulo ng aking kinuhang lugar para matirhan dito,” she said.
(It’s not true that I’m not qualified. I’m qualified but I’m not yet a candidate… I was here since 2005, my children were already enrolled in schools [in the Philippines], transcripts are available, land titles are also available.)
Poe also acknowledged her family’s relationship with the Binay’s but emphasized that she would stay true to her duties as a public official and be accountable to the public.
“Hindi ko kinakalimutan ang relasyon ng aming pamilya, pero nananatili akong tapat sa aking tungkulin,” shesaid.
(I do not forget the relationship between our families, but I remain true to my duties [as a public servant.)