Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) – Her announcement started with a prayer. But just by listening to it, you’ll know where it would lead to – her declaration that she would run for president in the coming elections.
The prayer, in gist, asked for God’s guidance as she continues her journey as a public servant.
“Tinawag niyo kami para maglingkod sa inyo. Gamitin niyo po kami bilang instrumento ng pagbabago, para maghatid ng serbisyong tapat at totoo. Tulungan niyo kaming akayin ang aming bansa tungo sa isang bansa na puno ng pag-asa,” she said.
[Translation: “You called us to serve you. Use us as instruments of change, so we could deliver sincere and honest service. Help us guide our country to make it one full of hope.”]
Also read: Who is Grace Poe?
Grace Poe – the only daughter of Susan Roces and the late Fernando Poe Jr., who also ran for president in 2004 but lost to former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo – vowed to continue her father’s “dreams” for the Filipino people.
Poe said, her father was her inspiration in helping others. And according to her, helping others for her is to make an improvement to the lives of other people.
“Noong ako’y kumatok ng unang beses sa inyong mga puso, gusto ko ipagpatuloy ang mga prinsipyo ni FPJ… Kayo po ang aking inspirasyon para ialay ang aking sarili sa mas mataas na paninilbihan sa bayan,” she said.
[Translation: “When I knocked the first time trying to get into your hearts, I wanted to continue the principle of FPJ… You are my inspiration in offering myself for higher service to the country.”]
No one has monopoly over ‘Tuwid na Daan’
In her speech in UP Diliman on Wednesday evening (September 16), Poe pointed out that she was running with sincere intentions in mind – even without joining the president’s political party, the Liberal party (LP).
“Walang iisang tao o grupo ang may monopoliya sa Tuwid na Daan,” she said.
[Translation: “There’s no one individual or group who has a monopoly of the Straight Path.”]
Poe thanked President Benigno Aquino III for preparing the path for the country’s success by pursuing “Tuwid na Daan.”
She said, though, that she had her own ways to continue what Aquino started.
Platforms of government
According to Poe, the government under her leadership would prioritize the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill, to put a stop to corruption in the government.
She also said she would make improvements in the lives of the workforce and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
“Dapat pagtuunan ng pansin kung sapat pa ba ng sweldo ng mga manggagawa… bawasan ang mga fees at red tape para sa OFWs,” she said.
[Translation: “We should focus attention on whether the salaries of workers are enough for their needs.. and we need to lessen fees and red tape fro OFWs.”]
Poe also said that, being a mother who fears for the safety of her children, she takes the fight against illegal drugs and criminality as a personal crusade.
“Nababahala ako sa tindi ng krimen at droga. Hindi ako nakakatulog hanggat hindi nakakauwi sa bahay ang aking mga anak. Para sa akin, bilang ina, ito ay personal na krusada,” she said.
Poe also took a strong stand on the issue on the West Philippine Sea. She said the country would continue its claim on the territory by means of peaceful resolution.
“Atin ang West Philippine Sea. At dapat lang na wag nating bitiwan o pabayaan ang gamit ang mapayapang paraan,” Poe said.
But more than that, Poe sees the need to strengthen the Philippine Coast Guard and the Armed Forces to further strengthen the country’s claim on disputed territories.
“Alinsunod dito, palakasin din natin ang Coast Guard at Sandatahang Lakas para hindi tayo kinaya-kaya lang ng ibang bansa,” said Poe.
Poe also said she plans to push for the development of renewable energy as a solution to the Mindanao power crisis.
According to Poe, she would also keeps in mind the issues of senior citizens, heavy traffic, plight of the national athletes, slow internet connection, and the issue on climate change.
Towards the end of her speech, she asked the people for help to continue what her father envisioned for the country, saying: “Sana po ay samahan niyo ako sa pagpapanday ng makabuluhang kinabukasan ng Pilipinas.”
[Translation: “I hope you will join in forging a meaningful future for the Philippines.”]
Poe ended her speech by reiterating that she is a Filipino and that she is offering herself to be the next president of the Philippines.
“Ako po si Grace Poe, Pilipino, anak, asawa, at ina. At sa tulong ng mahal na Diyos, inaalay ko ang aking sarili bilang ang inyong Pangulo,” she said.
