Since her husband, Neil Llamanzares, was traumatized with what happened to her in the May 2016 elections, Senator Grace Poe on Thursday said that she was not even sure of running in the coming midterm elections next year.
However, Poe, who ran for president in the last election, did not elaborate on the trauma suffered by her husband during a television interview.
“I’m running in 2019—if I run in 2019. I’m not even sure at this point. It’s a personal reason for me, I have to talk to my husband about this,” said Poe who has been leading the senatorial race based on surveys conducted by Pulse Asia and SWS surveys on voters’ preference.
Seeking a second term in the coming polls, Poe said that her running for another term is something that she needs to discuss with her husband.
“I have to talk to my husband about this. But my point is—no election e di hindi kami napagod ’di ba, pero that’s not the point. What’s the long-term effect of this?” said Poe.
Pressed further, Poe said “it’s really the reason put forth by my husband.”
“I think that he— more than us—I think he’s traumatized by what happened during the last elections and he’s thinking, if your landmark or your pet bills were already put forward then…already approved, my feeding program for example, for the lunch program, and I thank also my colleagues in the Senate who helped me, and especially well, of course, the President for signing, Poe said.
Poe’s husband was a former member of the United States Air Force who renounced his American citizenship after the senator decided to run for president.
Poe added that she was not banking on the survey results, which would not necessarily spell victory in the polls.
“It’s not really indicative of your placement in the actual time of election, so that can’t just be the sole basis…It just takes one particular issue to change all that,” she said.
Poe said she was more gratified with the approval and trust ratings she received and found these “more heartwarming.”
Poe said the survey results, dominated by women possible candidates for senators, are testaments to the contributions of women in nation-building.
She noted that a survey is about trust and approval for public service that ought to be felt, especially by the poor.
“It is also the people’s affirmation for the work of the women in politics,” also said Poe as she thanked Filipinos for their trust.
“We are grateful for the trust of our kababayans,” the lawmaker said. “We owe our post to the Filipino people. Working hard to make life better for them is our chance of paying it forward,” Poe said.
