Press Release
March 4, 2016

POE: WOMEN MORE THAN ABLE TO RUN THIS COUNTRY

IPIL, ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY--As the latest Pulse Asia survey showed her still leading the presidential race, Sen. Grace Poe underscored the capability of women to lead the country, citing exemplars.

Poe, who was in Zamboanga with her running mate, Sen. Francis Escudero, said women had the right mix of strength and compassion to handle the toughest jobs with grace and clarity of mind.

"Huwag kayo maniniwala sa puro tapang at yabang lang; hindi naman madadaan sa ganun 'yun. Kailangan meron ding pakikipagusap at merong malinaw na pamamalakad at pag-iisip na nakabatay sa batas at sa hustisya," Poe said, when asked by a student at the Universidad de Zamboanga in Ipil if she, as a woman, can run the government if elected.

Poe is one of two women running in the five-way presidential race but unlike the rest, she is running as an independent. She has also consistently topped the surveys despite attempts by her opponents to disqualify her.

"Alam n'yo, sa ating mga estudyante dito, lalo na sa kababaihan, wala 'yan sa kasarian or gender. Nandyan 'yan sa paninindigan, kagalingan at malasakit ng isang tao," she said.

The senator cited the notable women in government, including Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, and recently retired Commission on Audit chief Grace Pulido-Tan, all of whom have lent credibility to the government's fight against corruption.

"Ang ating Chief Justice--ang pinakabatang Chief Justice sa kasaysayan--ay isang babae, matapang. Inappoint sya ni President Noynoy pero bumoto siya laban sa DAP (Disbursement Acceleration Program) ng administrasyon. May sariling pag-iisip," Poe said.

"Ang head ng Office of the Ombudsman--ang Ombudsman ay humahabol sa mga tiwaling opisyal ng gobyerno--ay babae rin. Ang naging head ng COA na kakaretiro lang, si Grace Pulido-Tan na nag-aaudit ng accounting ng gobyerno ay babae rin. May angking galing at tapang ang mga babae," she said.

Poe said her experience as chair of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs--the first woman to head the committee--taught her that women could handle the most difficult matters as well as anyone else. She recalled to the students her handling of the controversial Mamasapano case, which was lauded as fair and competent, by all parties.

"Maraming nagsabing napakahirap na hearing nun dahil iniimbestigahan mo MILF, MNLF, AFP, PNP pati na rin ang pangulo ng Pilipinas pero hindi natin pinagtakpan maski na sino. Matapang tayong mga babae pero higit sa lahat may puso tayo," Poe said.

She said women, who possess maternal instinct, fight for what they love and stand for.

"Kaya ang mga programa ko, nakatuon sa education, health, jobs, fighting poverty, fighting corruption. These are the concerns that we really need to focus on, and as a mother who runs her household, I want the best for my children the same way I want the best for my countrymen," the senator said.

Poe topped the 2013 senatorial race with over 20 million votes, the highest number of votes cast for a national candidate in Philippine electoral history. She is also the first foundling to run for president.

Poe and Escudero, who also leads the vice-presidential race, will be joined by the senatorial bets under their coalition, Partido Galing at Puso, in a campaign rally in Zamboanga City Friday evening.

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