Press Release
September 16, 2015

POE DECLARES: I'M RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT

Sen. Grace Poe announced today her candidacy for the highest post of the land with a promise to lead a government that leaves no Filipino behind in its pursuit and enjoyment of economic development.

Poe, an independent and frontrunner in presidential surveys long before she announced her intention to run, ended all speculations with a declaration of her presidential bid before thousands of supporters at the Bahay ng Alumni in UP. Diliman.

"Ako po si Grace Poe, Pilipino. Anak, asawa, ina, at sa tulong ng Mahal na Diyos ay inaalay ko sa inyo ang aking sarili sa mas mataas na paninilbihan bilang inyong Pangulo," the senator said.

In a 12-minute speech, Poe laid down a summary of her platform of government built on genuine inclusive growth for all Filipinos in all parts of the Philippines, transparency and global competitiveness.

Poe echoed the desires of her late father, Fernando Poe Jr., who many believe was cheated out of the presidency in his 2004 bid. FPJ's candidacy was marked by the same challenges on citizenship and political experience that his daughter faces today.

"Simple lang ang prinsipyo ng aking ama na siya ring naging dahilan ng kanyang pagtakbo. Sinabi niya mismo sa bulwagang ito mahigit 11 taon na ang nakalipas: Tulungan ang mahihirap, labanan ang pag-aabuso at pumanday ng isang lipunang masagana at makatarungan," she said.

"Madalas niyang sabihin sa akin: Gracia, ang kahirapan ay hindi iginuhit sa palad dahil nasa kamay ng tao ang pag-unlad. Pero sa kanyang pag-ahon, hindi sapat ang sariling kayod; kailangang may kamay na humihila sa kanya," the senator recalled.

Poe, an infant who was abandoned in a church in Iloilo and adopted by movie stars FPJ and Susan Roces, vows to extend that hand that will bring the poor out of their poverty.

"Di ba't iyan naman ang sukatan ng magandang pamahalaan at lipunan--lahat ay aangat, walang maiiwan!" she said.

If she becomes president, Poe said she will work to lower taxes, a position contrary to that taken by the current administration, which has refused to support proposals in Congress that seek to lower income tax.

Poe said Filipinos are burdened by one of the highest tax rates in the world, and this impedes on their right to decide how to spend their hard-earned money.

"Sisikapin ko na mapababa ito... Subalit kung ibababa ang buwis, kailangang suklian natin ng tamang pagbabayad nito. Ito naman ang igagarantya ko: Lahat ng buwis na inyong ibabayad, maibabalik sa inyo sa pamamagitan ng agaran at dekalidad na serbisyo," she said.

Poe said she will allocate seven percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product for infrastructure development, particularly the improvement of roads, railways, airports, seaports and even Internet service.

"Di ito dapat kasing-bagal ng mga sasakyan sa EDSA... Kung di kaya ng pribadong sektor, isusulong ko ang isang government-supported industrialization at IT plan para makalikha ng industriya," she said.

The senator also vowed to find ways to lower electricity rates in the Philippines and ensure sufficient power supply in Mindanao, which suffers frequent brownouts that affect the local economy.

"Malaking porsyento ng budget ng bawat pamilya ay napupunta sa pambayad sa kuryente. Hahanap po tayo ng paraan para pababain ito... Pauunlarin natin ang renewable energy," she said.

Poe said she draws inspiration from ordinary Filipinos who work tirelessly to provide for their families, and from her parents who taught her the values of kindness, honesty and courage.

"Kayong lahat ang pinahugutan ko ng inspirasyon. Kayo ang nagbibigay sa akin ng lakas na ialay ang aking sarili sa mas mataas na paninilbihan sa bansa.

"Kaya nating marating ang ating mga mithiin para sa bayan kung magsisipag, magmamatyag at siguraduhin na may tapat na gagabay sa atin," the senator said.

Poe ran through her plans for other sectors:

  •  Fix all classrooms and bring digital learning to all Philippine schools; expand the government's scholarship program and push for paid college internships

  • Provide irrigation to half a million hectares of agricultural land; push for mechanization in farming and fishing

  •  Review the wages of government employees

  •  Give legal aid to overseas Filipino workers in need; eliminate red tape and reduce fees in processing papers for employment abroad

  •  Eradicate drugs and fight crime; ensure the police force is skilled and disciplined

  •  Respect and protect all human rights, especially of marginalized sectors such as the LGBT and senior citizens

  •  Bigger and better benefit packages from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. so that families would not have to choose between food or medicines for their loved-ones

  •  Standard lunch program for kids in all public schools

  •  Assist athletes so they will have a chance at bringing home the Philippines' first Olympic gold; reward artists who excel in their field both here and abroad

  •  Geo-mapping and the establishment of an Emergency Management Department to focus on national preparedness for the impacts of climate change

  •  Tourism infrastructure development, including more provincial airports, to promote tourism-related economies in rural areas

Poe also vowed to strengthen the military in its efforts to protect Philippine sovereignty.

"Atin ang West Philippine Sea at dapat lang na wag natin itong bitiwan o pabayaan gamit ang mapayapang paraan at ayong sa batas. Alinsunod dito, palalakasin natin ang ating Coast Guard atSandatahanag Lakas para hindi tayo kinakaya-kaya ng ibang bansa," Poe said.

She would continue to pursue peace with all insurgents fighting the Philippine government. "Dapat nang tigilan ang pagpatay ng Pilipino sa kapwa nya Pilipino upang maparating natin ang tunay na kaunlaran sa bawat sulok ng bansa."

To the Moro rebels, who had inspired many of FPJ's movies, she said: "Sa hinaba-haba ng kasaysayan natin, panahon na para mabigyan kayo ng patas na pagkakataon at tunay na tulong."

Poe, who was being wooed by the Liberal Party to join the administration ticket brandishing the Daang Matuwid, said she is thankful to President Aquino for restoring the people's faith in a good leader. But she maintained that the right path is not limited to one party or group.

"Walang iisang tao o grupo ang may monopolya sa tuwid na daan. Malaki na ang nagawa ni Pangulong Aquino sa pagpapanagot ng mga tiwali... Dapat lang na ituloy at paigtingin ang pagsugpo sa korapsyon. Papanagutin ko ang tiwali, kaibigan man o kaaway, subalit di lamang isang tao o partido ang nagsusulong nito kundi ang bawat isang Pilipino," Poe said.

She said any candidate who promises that he can deliver all his promises alone is lying.

"Dapat sama-sama tayo. Hindi kaya ng iisang tao... Sa ating lahat nakasalalay ang magiging kuwento ng Pilipinas sa darating na panahon. Sana po ay samahan ninyo ako sa pagpanday ng maganda at makabuluhang hinaharap ng ating inang bayan," Poe said.

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