BIGGEST PARTYLIST COALITION FOR POE

BACOLOD CITY--More than 30 party-list groups came together Friday to declare their support for the candidacy of Sen. Grace Poe.

In a press conference in Bacolod City, leaders of the House of Representatives Partylist Coalition said they were given free will to choose their candidates individually but that most of them decided to back the candidacies of Poe and her running mate, Sen. Francis Escudero.

"The party-list coalition decided that individual members should go on their own freewill, with their party. Ito pong nandirito ngayon ay nagkasundo. Kinokonsidera nila na ang best president to support is Sen. Grace Poe," said Rep. Agapito Guanlao of the Butil partylist.

Guanlao said Poe's platforms under her "Gobyernong may Puso" are consistent with their advocacies for their respective sectors.

"We see in Sen. Grace Poe's platform na kasama ang aming mga sektor and regions. Pareho ang aming adbokasiya," he said.

Among the party-list groups supporting Poe are Agham, An Waray, Ang Nars, Anac-IP, Ako Bicol and Magdalo.

Poe, who is going around Negros Occidental with her mother, actress Susan Roces, said she is grateful and overwhelmed by the show of support from different groups.

"Kung anumang tulong ang maibibigay sa'yo, lalong-lalo na ganito pa katindi, ay talagang nakakataba ng puso. Kaya ako'y nagpapasalamat kasi tinayuan din nila 'yung aking kandidatura," said Poe, the lone independent presidential aspirant.

"Ang mga congressmen importante sapagkat sila diretso sila sa mga distrito nila; ang mga party-list groups din mahalaga sapagkat specific ang kanilang mga advocacies. Kung ano 'yung aming mga plataporma na ipinaglalaban, sila, mayroon sila talagang mga nakalista na mga rekomendasyon para halimbawa sa edukasyon or sa kalusugan or para sa mga iba't ibang mga grupo," Poe said.

In Bacolod, the senator's delegation was welcomed by Negros Occidental third district Representative Alfredo "Albee" Benitez, who has also declared support for the Poe-Escudero tandem, ending months of speculation.

Benitez used to be the provincial chairman of the Liberal Party but bolted out of the ruling party late last year.