Poe backs Bam Aquino’s senatorial bid

Senator Grace Poe has endorsed the candidacy of former Senator Bam Aquino, vouching for his dedication to championing the welfare of the Filipino people and advancing meaningful reforms for the country’s progress.

“Hindi po ako magrerekomenda kung hindi ako naniniwala na makatutulong ito. Kailangan natin ng mga masisipag sa Senado (I am not recommending if I do not believe that it would be helpful,” Poe said on Sunday, Feb. 17 as she joined Aquino onstage during the grand rally of FPJ Panday Bayanihan Partylist in San Carlos City, Pangasinan.

“Kailangan natin ng mga talagang magtatrabaho, at ito’y ginagarantiya ko na si Senator Bam, kahit iyong ating pulitika’y magkakaiba, pare-pareho ang gusto natin, na maging maayos ang ating bansa (We need someone who really works, and I can guarantee that Senator Bam, even if our political alliances are different, we are aiming for the same thing—the betterment of the country,” she added.

In her speech, Poe also thanked Aquino for his efforts in passing the Free College Law and for helping fulfill her campaign promise of providing free and nutritious meals to malnourished elementary public school students.

She said Aquino fought hard for the measure to be passed into law. She also added that Aquino helped in forming her pet bill that became Republic Act (RA) 11037 or the “Masustansyang Pagkain Para sa Batang Pilipino Act,” which provides lunch meals to public elementary schools, especially those suffering from malnutrition.

Aquino was the principal sponsor of these vital measures during his tenure as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Education.

Poe’s father, the late actor Fernando Poe Jr., hailed from San Carlos, Pangasinan. She was among the top vote-getters in the province during her 2013 and 2019 senatorial bids. — Betheena Unite