Press Release
January 6, 2014

Senator Grace Poe on 2013 and the year ahead*

Q: What did 2013 mean to you?

A: I was elected senator of the Philippines in 2013 and for that I will always be grateful for the overwhelming support manifested by the Filipino electorate. 2013 was a baptism of fire, of challenges and opportunities to be the voice of our people.

This was the year I was given the chance to push changes in our system and sponsor the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill in the Senate, which we hope to pass in 2014.

Q: 2013 was the year you topped the senatorial race, what analysts called the biggest surprise of the election. What was the experience like?

I'm still awed and humbled by it. I am very grateful for the people who placed their trust in me. I know that people believed in me because I am the daughter of Fernando Poe, Jr. and they think I will live up to his name and pursue his dream for the millions of ordinary Filipinos whom he loved. I come to work everyday thinking I have to give back to the people and prove worthy of their trust.

Q: How would you describe the year for the Senate as an institution?

It was a challenging time for the Senate, but I strongly feel that each of us was given the chance to uphold and strengthen its relevance as an institution.

Q: What are your plans for and expectations of 2014?

We hope to pass the Freedom of Information bill in the Senate this year as plenary debates are expected to continue when we resume sessions in January. We hope our counterpart at the House will be able to do the same so we can finally see the passage of an FOI law.

Once the FOI is passed, my dream is to pass a standard lunch program for kids in public schools. At the same time, we want to see the recovery and rehabilitation of calamity-stricken areas in the country.

We also hope to focus on other bills and advocacies, which include the cancer support fund, the film tourism bill, and development for Mindanao.

*first published on Rappler on Dec. 30, 2013

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