POE SAYS POOR WILL SUFFER IN CULTURE OF VIOLENCE

Pressing on with her campaign for "Gobyernong may Puso," Sen. Grace Poe warned voters against electing a government that will promote violence because the poor will suffer under such leadership.

Speaking in Guimba, Nueva Ecija, the independent presidential candidate said that while she dreams of quick solutions to long-time problems, as do many Filipinos, she does not believe that killing will bring the peace and order people want.

"Merong isa kasing kandidato na ang sinasabi tatapusin niya ng tatlo hanggang anim na buwan ang droga. Kahit naman ako, pangarap ko rin 'yon. Walang masama doon kung talagang magagawa. Kaya lamang ito: Ang pamamaraan ay mali," Poe said in a campaign rally Monday night.

She said it was not right to give any group blanket power to just kill or kidnap suspected criminals without going through due process. Under this culture of impunity, the poor are at a disadvantaged position, she said.

"Ang problema ang palaging napapagkamalan ay mahihirap. Pansinin ninyo, meron bang pinatay na mayaman doon sa lugar nila na nasuspetsahan ng droga, smuggling, o anupaman?" Poe said. "Kaya kahit gusto natin ng mabilis na solusyon, gagawin ko pa ring mabilis ang solusyon pero naaayon sa proseso."

Philippine Statistics Authority records showed that in 2010, 44 of 100 prisoners in the Philippines were either illiterate or have not finished elementary school--a clear indication of poverty.

If she wins in the May 9 elections, Poe said she would push for the creation of drug court to try only drug-related cases. This will declog the country's criminal courts, which are saddled with thousands of unresolved cases.

The senator also said she would strengthen the Public Attorney's Office so that the poor can have access to free and competent legal services.

"Bibigyan ko ang mga mahihirap ng magagaling na abogado. Magtatalaga ako ng magaling na pulis sa bawat rehiyon. At 'pag hindi bumaba ang datos ng krimen at droga, hindi ako maghihintay ng dalawang araw; ako mismo tatanggalin ko 'yung provincial police para mapalitan ng gumagawa ng trabaho," Poe said, drawing applause from the crowd.

She said the appointment local police chiefs must not be politicized to ensure that the Philippine National Police (PNP) force across the country will be impartial.

"Hindi pwedeng political ang appointment ng pulis. Kailangan ang pulis ay nagtatrabaho para sa inyo dahil naniniwala ako na ang tao ay hindi dapat matakot sa gobyerno. Ang gobyerno ang dapat matakot sa inyo 'pag hindi namin ginagawa ang aming trabaho," Poe said.

According to Republic Act 6975, the mayor has the authority to choose the chief of police from a list of five eligible recommendations by the provincial police director. Mayors may also recommend the transfer, reassignment or detail of PNP members to their areas.

Poe spent Monday presenting her platform of government to voters in Nueva Ecija and Tarlac, where she received the backing of 16 of the province's 18 mayors. She is in Cavite and Rizal today as she wraps up the last leg of her campaign.