Press Release
December 26, 2015

POE ASSURES OFWS: I WILL NEVER STEAL FROM YOU

Leading presidential candidate Sen. Grace Poe made one promise to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who, she said, have kept the economy afloat during tough times: every cent given by Filipinos to government will benefit Filipinos, even those abroad.

"Makakaasa kayo na hindi ako magnanakaw at lahat ng kita ng gobyerno, bawat sentimo ay mapupunta sa benepisyo ng ating mga kababayan. Iyan po ang palaki sa atin ng aking tatay na si FPJ," Poe said.

The senator, who was in Hong Kong with her family for Christmas, was walking around Central district with her daughter when she chanced upon a gathering of migrants led by Migrante International. She was asked to take the stage and address those present.

"Alam ko po ang sakripisyo ninyo, na bagama't masaya, marami rin kayong naiwan na mga mahal sa buhay sa Pilipinas," she said. "Salamat sa inyong tulong dahil kung hindi dahil sa OFWs, ang ekonomiya ng Pilipinas ay matagal nang tumiklop."

She said she knows how it feels to be away from loved-ones as she, too, has worked abroad.

"Matagal din akong tumira sa ibang bansa, at naiintindihan ko ang inyong kalagayan. Kasama ng Migrante, ng iba nating mga senador na tumatakbo, itutulak namin ang mga makakabuti para sa OFWs--na bumaba ang fees nyo at yung mga kailangan nyo tulad ng health benefits ay matulungan kayo ng gobyerno," Poe said, earning cheers from those who stopped to listen to her.

In the 2013 elections, which Poe topped as a senatorial candidate, Hong Kong registered one of the highest turnouts of overseas absentee voters. It is also known for having one of the most active Filipino migrant communities.

Facing legal hurdles lodged by allies of her political opponents, Poe assured the OFWs that she remains a presidential candidate despite the recent ruling of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).

"Alam ko naririnig ninyo ang mga kwento-kwento, kung na-disqualify na ba si Sen. Poe, pero may proseso tayo sa Supreme Court," she said.

The COMELEC en banc voted to cancel Poe's Certificate of Candidacy for President on December 23--when government offices had closed for the holidays--and gave her five days to seek relief from the Supreme Court.

The COMELEC, however, said that Poe's name would remain on the ballot.

"Sabi nila ako'y hindi Pilipino dahil ako'y batang nadampot lamang at hindi kilala ang aking mga magulang. Hindi naman yata makatarungan yun. Ang pinaglalaban natin ay tunay na pagbabago para sa ating bayan," Poe said.

The senator, who has topped presidential preference surveys despite attempts to disqualify her from the presidential race, said she would continue to fight for the right of Filipinos to choose their leader.

Poe's camp is set to submit to the Supreme Court a petition challenging the COMELEC ruling on December 28.

"Hindi ko kayo bibitawan, magkakasama tayo palagi. Sa Pilipinas, kung kami ay mabibigyan ng pagkakataon, walang maiiwan," Poe said.

She said her government would work to create opportunities for Filipinos so that they would not be compelled by poverty to leave their families and work overseas.

"Hindi na ninyo kailangan umalis kung ayaw ninyo dahil sapat ang oportunidad sa ating bayan," she said.

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