ROCO'S AKSYON PARTY, SENERES' OFW GROUP ENDORSE POE

As Election Day nears, more groups have expressed their "unconditional and unwavering" support for independent presidential candidate Sen. Grace Poe.

At the historic Club Filipino in San Juan, some incumbent and independent candidates from various political groups led by Aksyon Demokratiko endorsed the presidential bid of Poe and hailed the senator's platform of governance.

Aksyon Demokratiko is the political party of the late senator Raul Roco.

"Grace Poe represents a healthy and meaningful balance between continuing the gains of this administration and changing what are sorely lacking especially in the areas of infrastructure and poverty alleviation," said Aksyon president Robbi Pierre Roco, son of the late Sen. Roco.

Poe's new supporters also included 23 Liberal Party mayoral bets, 5 mayoral incumbent candidates of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), 6 members of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino, and 2 bets from the Nationalist People's Coalition.

Candidates running under the People's Reform Party, Laban ng Demokartikong Pilipino and National Unity Party also joined Aksyon's support for Poe.

"The platform of governance by Grace Poe in her pursuit of a Gobyernong may Puso clearly shows a bias for the vulnerable and marginalized. Her cohesive platform clearly advances our vision," former National Youth Commission Chair Leon Flores III said. Flores is Aksyon's vice president for education.

Others who expressed their support for Poe were Tarlac City Mayor and PMP gubernatorial candidate Ace Manalang; Talisay, Batangas Mayor Jerry Natanuan of the Liberal Party; and Aksyon congressional candidate Donna Lun Gerdan.

In a separate statement, Partido ng Manggagawa at Magsasaka (PMM), the party of the late OFW Family Club Rep. Roy Señeres, also endorsed the candidacies of Poe and her running mate, Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero.

"Grace Poe is our choice for the presidency. The country deserves an inspiring leader with competence, compassion and character. We should not choose a divisive loose cannon, a thief, a human rights violator or an incompetent for a leader," the PMM said.

While coming from different political affiliations, the various groups share a common appreciation of the lady senator: quick to act, independent, fair, competent, and has a heart for the vulnerable and marginalized sectors of society.

"She respects due process and the rule of law. She represents a balance between a continuity of programs that work and that of change from inefficient and callous governance. She does not present herself as a savior but as an empowering leader who will motivate all of us into meaningful action and nation-building," PMM said in their manifesto of support.

Reelectionist Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian, spokesperson for Poe who was at the PPM meeting, said the "Gobyernong may Puso" tandem is elated over the endorsement.

"Sa ngalan po ni Sen. Grace Poe at Sen. Chiz Escudero, taos-puso po kaming nagpapasalamat sa inyong pag-endorso sa kanila kandidatura. Makakaasa ho kayo na ang inyong ipinaglalaban na maihaon ang ating mga manggagawa at magsasaka mula sa kahirapan ay magiging prayoridad ni Sen. Grace at Sen. Chiz."

The PMM, which boasts of 1.3 million members worldwide, said it will work to deliver votes and victory for the Poe-Escudero tandem.

Poe's camp is confident that more party defections will happen soon in support of the tandem.