TARLAC CITY—Independent presidential candidate Grace Poe is upbeat that the province mates of President Benigno Aquino III will deliver the votes to make her win the presidency as they did when they made her the No. 1 senator in Tarlac in the last elections.
Poe’s being a rival of Aquino’s presidential bet Manuel Roxas II did not stop the Tarlaqueños from welcoming her during her 30-minute motorcade from the Tarlac Cathedral to the Diwa Convention Center here.
People rushed out of their houses and from business establishments to get a glimpse of the foundling, the adopted daughter of the late actor Fernando Poe Jr. and retired actress Susan Roces.
The cheering crowd lined up on the streets and waved to Poe while chanting her name as her vehicle passed in front of them.
Addressing the jampacked crowd at the Diwa Convention Center, Poe thanked the Tarlaqueños whom she said gave her one of the biggest votes during the 2013 senatorial race.
“Despite all the challenges you have not abandoned me, and I haven’t forgotten my promises. Now is the time for the realization of what you want for yourself and for your family,” said Poe who is running in tandem with Senator Francis Escudero.
Escudero was not around when Poe returned to Tarlac. She was accompanied by Bayan Muna Rep. Neil Colmenares, who is running for senator under the Poe’s “Gobyernong May Puso.”
While not mentioning her rival Rodrigo Duterte by name, she told the audience that bullets would not stop poverty or send their children to school or help increase the income of farmers. She also said bullets would not give the people permanent jobs.
After attending the mini-political rally at the convention center, Poe proceeded to the Tarlac Provincial Capitol building where she was warmly welcomed by outgoing Gov. Victor Yap, a member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition.
Yap is seeking a congressional seat in the province’s second district. His sister, Rep. Susan Yap, is running for governor.
Before the motorcade, Poe paid a courtesy call on Bishop Florentino Cenense to seek his blessings.
