For me, it doesn’t matter whether a bill was filed by the administration or opposition. If I feel a particular bill will be good for the public, I will support it. -Grace Poe, Senatorial Candidate
Grace Poe’s story is the stuff of fairy tales… and teleseryes.
As an infant, Grace was abandoned in a church in Jaro, Iloilo, where she was discovered by Chayong, a prayerful woman who worked as a housemaid. Grace lived with Chayong and her five children till a friend of Chayong’s employer took a fancy to the little girl, and began taking her everywhere she went.
One day their paths crossed with Fernando Poe, Jr., the King of Philippine movies and Susan Roces, his movie star wife. The showbiz couple fell in love with the little girl, and Chayong reluctantly agreed to let them raise her. She knew little Grace would have a bigger, brighter future with them. Little did she know how big and how bright.
PHOTO: Jilson Tiu
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Grace lived a quiet life in the Philippines and the U.S., pretty much away from the spotlight, till her father died unexpectedly. Devastated, Grace moved home, was elected senator, and then, against all odds, decided to run for the highest position in the land. She led in the surveys heading into the homestretch, and if this were indeed a fairy tale, or a teleserye, Grace would have claimed victory and lived happily ever after.
But this is real life, and after a crushing defeat in the presidential elections, Grace Poe is running for reelection to the Senate.
We caught up with her on recent sorties to Cavite and Laguna, where she was accompanied by her son, Brian, her campaign manager, and Coco Martin, the actor who is currently starring in the teleserye adaptation of the 1997 blockbuster movie, “Ang Probinsyano,” written, produced, directed, and starred in by Fernando Poe Jr. The team’s motorcade drew screaming, star struck crowds everywhere it went.
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Why are you running as an independent?
I think it’s easier this way for me because of the different stands I’ve had in the Senate. I’m not pro any particular party. If I feel that a particular initiative best serves the interests of what I promised the people, it’s easier for me to go and decide how to vote. I’m not beholden to any party.
Also, I wasn’t invited by any particular coalition. No one approached me. I heard you have to express interest to be invited to be part of a group. I didn’t do that at all.
And yet you’ve consistently been number one in the surveys. How do you explain that?
I think people have seen through the years in the Senate that I worked hard. I’ve delivered what I’ve promised. The people have seen that in the bills that have been passed into law.
Also, I must admit there’s no denying the FPJ factor. It’s still a romantic relationship between the people and the memory of my Dad so that when they see me they see an image of him in the form of hope. I’m really trying to maintain that. Much is expected in terms of my demeanor, and what stands I have.
PHOTO: Jilson Tiu
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"There’s no denying the FPJ factor. It’s still a romantic relationship between the people and the memory of my Dad so that when they see me they see an image of him in the form of hope. Much is expected in terms of my demeanor, and what stands I have."
You’re running as an independent, yet you’ve been supporting bills put forward by the administration.
Sometimes people will ask how come the bills I’ve supported are the ones the administration pushed for. For me, it doesn’t matter whether a bill was filed by the administration or opposition. If I feel a particular bill will be good for the public, I will support it.
One controversial one is the one on the position of Martial Law in Mindanao, which I supported. But not until after I listened to the security briefings, after I consulted my supporters, the ones on the ground in Mindanao, the ones who are there. And I was told that we really need it. Because it gives a semblance of safety and peace, the perception is important to them.
It’s still not normal in many parts of the country. What’s important, of course, is that there are safeguards in place, like no illegal arrests. We also have to keep revisiting this every six months to see if we need to renew it.
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How difficult was it to return to the Senate after your defeat in the 2016 presidential elections?
I must admit that yes, it was hard, especially that first month. It was like a walk of shame, walking back into the chambers after I had lost. Not that I had done anything morally wrong or had anything to be ashamed of, but it was a walk of shame because I had lost.
Still, I must say that even after I lost, I continued on. I didn’t miss work. I didn’t disappear. I was still there. I had to push myself to go on because it was also my way of showing the people who supported me that I still had the platform I wanted to push for the country. I wasn’t going to give up just because I didn’t make it to President.
I was still there, I was still one of 24 senators who could do something. I kept in touch with my supporters, I showed them the results. That’s why now, even if I’m running as an independent, there’s some goodwill planted all over the country. And because I’m independent, no matter what party they’re affiliated with, they can always put one more on their list of 12.
After the presidential elections, many had been hoping you would take on the role of leader of the opposition. Why didn’t you?
Because it’s not very clear what the opposition is now. Sometimes people perceive the opposition has to be against the administration, in particular, a personality in the administration.
I don’t want to be less productive because of politics. I felt I could have more impact if I joined the majority so a relevant committee could be assigned to me. I feel that the Senate is an independent institution. I believe you join the majority if you support the Senate President’s line of leadership. And for me, Senator Tito Sotto is the consensus Senate President. Yes, we belong to the majority. But did you see how Senator Sotto protected Senator Trillanes from illegal arrest during that time? Because it’s the institution Senator Sotto was protecting, and that’s how I see it.
This is also why my being independent is important. Because it symbolizes the independence of our particular legislative branch. Right now, with a very popular president, the perception is that the Supreme Court, there is talk, just talk though, that the majority will be appointed by the president. Traditionally, Congress will always go with the administration. The Senate is the arbiter in this. I hope people will realize that, and it is symbolic for me, an independent, to remain in the top spot.
I know I can’t be complacent about this because we are going into the final stretch, and I don’t have the political machinery for the last push. Every mayor, every official, will of course put the administration candidates first, so I’m relying on people’s sentiments, emotions, and hope that they will remember me on election day.
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PHOTO: Jilson Tiu
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"I must admit that yes, it was hard, especially that first month. It was like a walk of shame, walking back into the chambers after I had lost."
What accomplishment are you most proud of after your first term in the Senate?
The bill I’m most proud of is the one providing free lunch programs for undernourished and underweight children in all public elementary schools, kindergartens, and day care centers. More than anything that’s investing in our future. The Philippines supposedly has that demographic sweet spot average of 23 to 24 years old. These children will eventually join the workforce. For them to be healthy and intellectually capable, they have to be nourished during their formative years. They can’t be left hungry.
A lot of kids have to quit school, not because they can’t afford tuition, since public school is free. It’s because they don’t have pambaon, lunch. A lot of them go to school hungry.
With this law that will start this coming school year. Eight billion pesos will be provided by the national government for school lunches, and an estimated six million kids will benefit. It’s something that’s been institutionalized because it’s a law. It won’t be dependent on the administration, so even when we have a different administration in the future, this will continue because it’s already the law.
Children are a major part of your advocacy.
Yes, I opposed the administration’s call to lower the age of criminal liability. The House version pegs it at nine years old, the Senate, at 12. I opposed both. At those ages, children have not yet reached a level of mental or emotional maturity to be fully aware of the consequences of their actions. What kind of society are we, if we punish and imprison children, instead of nurturing them?
What other issues will you advocate for if you win a second term?
There are still so many things that can be done. Number one on my list may not be appreciated by the public, but it is very important. The Freedom of Information Act. It is vital for me to push for its passage because it is how we are able to guard our institutions. By having transparent transactions.
For example, the Wawa Dam agreement with China. It’s been quite difficult for anyone to get a copy of that agreement. But with the FOI, that agreement will have to be automatically uploaded to a website. So anyone can look at it and see whether we getting the short end of the bargain or whether it will be good for us.
PHOTO: Jilson Tiu
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"I don’t have the political machinery for the last push, so I’m relying on people’s sentiments, emotions, and hope that they will remember me on election day."
Another thing I’d like to amend is the Public Service Act, which is over 80 years old.
Because if this is amended and public services and utilities are redefined, foreign entities would be allowed to come in and invest. This would increase competition, provide better quality services, and also create jobs in certain fields like transportation, telecommunication, and I think even power generation. The more investors we have here the more competitive the markets will be and people will have more choices of who will provide proper services.
Another plus of the Public Service Act is that it will allow academic institutions to set up here. Right now it’s not allowed. Let’s say NYU, Columbia, or Harvard would like to have a satellite school here, without that amendment they couldn’t do it.
Even for professors in our educational institutions. If you’re not a Filipino citizen, you cannot be a full-time professor, no matter how world-renowned you are. You can be a visiting professor but you can’t decide to stay here for the long term.
You’ve been campaigning with senatorial candidates from different political parties.
Yes, I go around sometimes with some of the reelectionists, the ones I work with, like Nancy Binay and Sonny Angara. Current senators have been hosting us and helping us in their bailiwicks, such as Senator Migs (Zubiri) in Bukidnon, Senator Ralph (Recto) in Batangas, Senator Cynthia (Villar) in Las Pinas. I don’t have a bailiwick, but traditionally Tondo has been the bailiwick of FPJ, so that’s where I brought the reelectionists. Masaya naman.
I’m also helping Senator Serge (Osmeña) who is also an independent. I really believe he’d be a really good addition to the Senate.
PHOTO: Jilson Tiu
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"Some people may think their candidate may not be in the top 12 so they won’t vote, but everyone really has to go out and vote because each vote can make a difference."
Tama yung sinabi ni Ramon del Rosario (founder of Phinma). He said the best way we can guarantee a chance of putting others who may not be popular but who can best serve in the Senate is to encourage people to go out and vote. Some people may think their candidate may not be in the top 12 so they won’t vote, but everyone really has to go out and vote because each vote can make a difference.
Del Rosario is supporting MATHGRAD PO. That’s the Otso Diretso team (Macalintal, Alejano, Tañada, Hilbay, Gutoc, Roxas, Diokno) plus Poe and Osmeña. So far Bam Aquino is making it into the magic 12. I really believe in him. He votes based on principle, not on party lines. If not for Bam, I would be out of the Senate because he voted that I should be part of the Senate even if I’m a foundling. I am grateful.
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What about Imee Marcos? There is an article that resurfaced recently about a quote you made during your last campaign praising her initiatives in Ilocos Norte.
Three years ago I was campaigning in Ilocos Norte, and I was asked the question if there was anything Marcos had done there that I would like to replicate. I was asked that question because I was in Ilocos, of course. I answered infrastructure because there was a lot built during that time. I believe infrastructure creates jobs. I was asked a question and I answered it. I always speak my mind, I say what I think. Because if I don’t, it won’t be me.
During that visit three years ago, they didn’t quote a line I said before that. I said, “First of all, hindi totoo na si Marcos ang Tatay ko.” (Editor's note: Poe is referring to decades-old rumors that former President Ferdinand Marcos is her biological father.)
Also remember I was one of the senators who officially went on the record opposing the Marcos burial at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani. We have a law recognizing the atrocities of Martial Law. As a senator, we make decisions based on the law.
PHOTO: Jilson Tiu
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"Whenever I think about how I lost the presidential election, I also think about how many other people gained by my running, particularly the foundlings."
How has this campaign been different from the last one?
I’m more focused now than I was in 2016. Back then there were other things to deal with, including my disqualification case. In the end, my winning that case helped so many people. So whenever I think about how I lost the election, I also think about how many other people gained by my running, particularly the foundlings.
Because back then, if foundlings couldn’t prove their natural-born citizenship, there were so many jobs that wouldn’t be open to them. Back then, a foundling like me couldn’t be a lawyer or a civil servant unless he or she could prove they were Filipino citizens. But after my case, now foundlings can be anything. They can dream of becoming a lawyer, a legislator, anything they want to be. Foundlings now have a definite status in our country.
Now I know that I was meant to run, even if it was for that purpose only. I didn’t realize that would be the consequence of my running, but it was a happy one. It was an unplanned giving back.
In this story: Photographs by Jilson Tiu • Interview by Yvette Fernandez
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This story is part of our ongoing series featuring the candidates of the 2019 Philippine Senate Elections. For more, click the links below:
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