Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Sens. Grace Poe and Chiz Escudero are making the most of their time touring the country, just days before the election season officially begins.
They visited the cities of Dumaguete and Roxas Friday (October 9), which are both widely-influenced by the administration party, particularly its standard bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II.
For their first stop, the tandem attended a students’ forum at the Foundation University in Dumaguete, then later met with local journalists.
It is also the first time that Poe and Escudero were accompanied in a sortie by Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo, who will run for the Senate.
Romulo is among those being reported to be part of the Senate slate that Poe and Escudero will be carrying.
Asked about their final senatorial lineup, Poe did not give a categorical answer if she had finalized the list of senatorial candidates, and if Romulo would be a part of it.
After making their rounds in Dumaguete, Poe, Escudero, and Romulo proceeded to Roxas City where they attended a gathering of medical professionals from all over Capiz province.
Dumaguete and Roxas are said to be bailiwicks of Roxas.
Roxas is the hometown of the Roxas political clan. It was named after the late President Manuel Roxas, grandfather of the former interior secretary.
On the other hand, people in Dumaguete and the province of Negros Oriental partly credit the y ounger Roxas for the creation of the Negros Island Region.
Poe said they were determined to go even to places perceived to be bailiwicks of the ruling party since they were not advocating partisan politics in the first place.
Being independent candidates, Poe and Escudero believe that voters would not necessarily choose candidates based on their party affiliation.
Poe’s DNA test
Poe was also asked about the status of her DNA test in relation to her disqualification case.
Poe said that, contrary to her expectations, it might take some more time before the results could be determined.
At least two more people have come forward and submitted themselves to DNA testing.
Poe said she would rather collate the results of all these tests before submitting them to the court, in order to protect the privacy of the people who had agreed to be tested.
