ACTOR COCO MARTIN PUSHES FOR 'GOBYERNONG MAY PUSO'
IN BULACAN

Independent presidential candidate Sen. Grace Poe hit the final stretch of the campaign trail with celebrity endorser Coco Martin in Bulacan, consolidating her support base in Luzon.

Martin, co-star of Poe's adoptive mother Susan Roces in the modern adaptation of FPJ's "Ang Probinsyano," joined Poe in a motorcade in Meycauayan and in a mini-rally in Pandi.

This is the second time the actor, who has openly supported Poe's presidential bid, volunteered to join the senator in her campaign sorties.

"Kinakabahan po ako sa posibilidad na pwedeng mangyari sa atin. Ang pinakamasakit sa mga panahon na ito, ang nakikita ko, kung ano ang mali siya ngayon ang nagiging tama. Bakit po ba nagkakaganoon tayo ngayon?" Martin said in his speech before local leaders in a resettlement area in Pandi.

Martin said it is Poe who has a genuine heart for the poor and the capability to go tough on corruption.

"Ang hinahangad po natin sa pagkakataong ito ay magkaroon tayo ng isang pangulo, ng isang gobyerno na makikinig para sa ating lahat," he said.

The teleserye actor said that unlike traditional politicians, Poe has integrity and is in many ways just like her late father Fernando Poe Jr., who is among the most admired and respected actors in the industry.

"Ito ay kasabihan ng bawat Pilipino: 'Kung ano ang puno, siya ang bunga.' Alam niyo po, bilang isang kabataan, isa lang ang aking inidolo -- si FPJ. Si FPJ, siya ang pinakasikat, pinakanirerespeto sa industriya naming mga artista at nirerespeto ng lahat ng mga Pilipino," said Martin, who reprised FPJ's character as Cardo in the ABS-CBN series.

"Pero si FPJ kahit kailan hindi ko nakita o narinig na nang-apak ng tao. Siya ay matapang at may paninindigan pero wala po siyang inapakan na tao at pinagsalitaan ng masakit. Isa po 'yon sa dahilan kung bakit ako naniniwala at kung bakit ako nandito sa inyong harapan, dahil para sa akin, ang aking pangulo ay si Grace Poe," he said.

Martin also expressed frustration over how divisive the campaign has become especially on social media. He called on everyone to respect the views of others and said the times call for a unifying leader.

Poe, an advocate of Freedom of Information, warned the public on the possibility of a government that does not recognize the rule of law or due process.

"Kapag ang bansa natin ang inaapi, lalo na 'pag ang mga kababayan ko ang inaapi; bilang isang babae, hindi ako papayag. Pero hindi ko naman papatayin ang maski sino na nasususpetsahan ko lang. E kasi paano kung magkamali ako? Paano kung walang proseso? Patayan na lang tayo? Hindi naman pwede 'yon," Poe said in her Pandi campaign rally.

The senator also noted the similarities between the resettlement area and the current administration. She said the site looks good on the outside but is rotten on the inside, where residents are deprived of their basic needs such as safe drinking water, electricity and employment.

"Nakita ko ang inyong lugar, mukhang maayos sa paningin sa labas; pero katulad din ng sistema natin sa gobyerno, akala mo maayos, pero alam mo sa loob maraming sira, maraming kailangan tugunan at gawin," she said.

"Mga kababayan, 'pag ako ang naging pangulo, ito ang aking gustong tulong sa inyo: na hindi kayo malayo sa inyong pinagtatrabahuhan, na hindi kayo malayo sa pwedeng mga ospital o paaralan. Dapat talaga in-site or near-site housing para sa inyo," Poe said.

Poe and running mate Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero have pledged to build an on-site or near-site low-rise housing facility for informal settlers, where jobs are available.