SENATOR Grace Poe on Tuesday said having “an excess baggage” is more difficult than having a “lean” one in reaction to the remarks she has the “leanest resume” among the presidential candidates due to her brief stint in the government.
Poe is leading in all the presidential surveys, but her critics are criticizing her for seeking the highest elective position despite her lack of experience.
She was chairman of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board before she won in the 2013 elections.
At the sidelines of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry presidential forum in Pasay City, Poe said she would rather have a lean resume detailing excellent service.
“I concede that compared to others I have the shortest stay in the government,” Poe said.
“But as I see it, we might need a different point of view because we are facing many problems that have been there for a long time. I believe it is time someone who had good intentions finally addressed these problems.”
Poe said people should immediately report occurrences that were out of the ordinary.
“For example, if busloads of people are herded to a registration office and they obviously look too young or are wearing high school uniforms, then this should raise a red flag,” Poe said.
She said several election experts had raised the possibility that a more arduous process of cheating was in the works in next year’s automated elections.
“In an automated election, the manner of cheating is no longer about fabricating more votes than voters but a more tedious orchestrated effort of padding the number of voters per precinct,” Poe said.
She said that under her watch, red tape should not be a profit center for the government.
“If you’re starting a mom-and-pop operation, or if you’re in a sole proprietorship working for your home with no employees, why should you spend 45,000 pesos in fees and licenses alone?”
She said 15 steps were necessary before one could start a business in the Philippines compared to only four in Thailand.
But Poe, the front runner in next year’s elections, said she will invite “the best and the brightest” to be part of her official family.
“Competence will be the main hiring criterion,” Poe said.
“I don’t care if you didn’t vote for me for as along as you can do the job.” Macon Ramos-Araneta