Cebu City (CNN Philippines) — The independent candidates are proving to their contenders that they are a force to be reckoned with this presidential election.
Senators Grace Poe and her running mate Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero on Wednesday (February 10) took their campaign to vote-rich province of Cebu.
Poe’s relations with Cebuanos have been shaky since her earlier claims that her father, Fernando Poe Jr., was cheated in the province in the 2004 elections.
Poe and Escudero, along with senatorial candidates Lorna Kapunan and Isko Moreno are visiting Toledo City to acknowledge the support of former mayor Rudy Espinosa.
The Espinosa family is one of the powerful political clans in Cebu. Critics said, this might sound contrary to the tandem’s support for the anti-dynasty bill.
But Poe and Escudero said as long as the proposed measure is not yet enacted into law, they would still welcome the support of anyone, even from political families.
This kind of support, they added, won’t change their stand in pushing for the bill in case they are elected into office in May.
Also read: All-star cast campaign kick off for Poe-Escudero tandem, senatorial slate
Husband’s role if Poe is elected president
The lady senator defended her husband Neil Llamanzares, who is now being attacked by her critics despite keeping a safe distance from the public eye since she entered politics.
Llamanzares now becomes a subject of public scrutiny— especially with the possibility of him becoming the country’s next first gentleman, as his wife bounces back in leading the recent presidential surveys.
Also read: Poe overtakes Binay, regains top spot in latest Pulse Asia poll
Llamanzares is being questioned for holding American citizenship while his wife bids for the highest position in the land.
When asked on the role of her husband if she gets elected, Poe said they have agreed that Llamanzares will remain largely a private person.
According to Poe, her husband would do much of the parenting for their three children.
They even have an arrangement on where Llamanzares will be staying.
“Sabi niya gusto niya tumira sa bahay lang namin, sabi ko ok lang, ayaw daw niya sa Malacañang,” Poe told the media.
“Ok lang na nandun siya, pero dapat may CCTV para nababantayan ko na talagang nandon sya, sinasabi niyang umuuwi sya,” Poe said in a light mood.
[Translation: He told me he wants to stay at home, not in Malacañang. It’s okay but there should be CCTV cameras so I can monitor him if he really goes home.]
Poe also reported that the process of her husband renouncing his American citizenship is on going.
While he is considered a natural-born for having both parents as Filipino, Mr. Llamanzares was born in the United States.
