DEBATE INSPIRES POE TO REACH OUT TO MORE FILIPINOS

Fresh from her well-received performance in the first presidential debate, Sen. Grace Poe said she was inspired to visit more provinces to bring the agenda of "Gobyernong may Puso" to Filipinos who need hope.

"It was an enriching experience. You get the pulse of the people," Poe said of the first of three debates sponsored by the Commission on Elections in partnership with top media organizations.

"Seeing that kind of ardor for knowing who would become the next president has only spurred me on to reach out and go to the farthest, hardest-to-reach places in the country so I can hear and address the concerns of the people," she said.

All five presidential contenders were present at the February 21 debate held at the Capitol University in Cagayan de Oro City and which focused on poverty and other Mindanao issues. It was hosted by GMA 7 and the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

"The full house showed how enthusiastic our brothers and sisters in Mindanao are about getting to know their next president. I was informed that many came from as far as Zamboanga City, Davao City and areas in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao just to hear the presidential candidates' position on various national issues," she said.

Poe, who was praised by netizens and media for being well-informed and articulate during the first debate, said she was looking forward to participating in the next debate, which would be staged by TV5 and Philippine Star at the University of San Carlos in Cebu on March 20. The third and last debate before the elections will be hosted by ABS-CBN and Manila Bulletin at the University of Pangasinan on April 24.

"The reception we got was full of warmth, and I got the feeling that the people were one with us in our hope for a better Philippines and a brighter future for our children," Poe said.

The senator is the first foundling to aim for the presidency. She is running independently with Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero, who also tops vice-presidential preference surveys, under the banner of "Gobyernong may Puso," which promises rapid, inclusive and sustainable growth for all Filipinos.