Students from the Batangas State University welcome presidential candidate Sen. Grace Poe in Lipa City on Friday. Poe and running mate Sen. Chiz Escudero made rounds in several schools in Lipa City, amid cases seeking her disqualification in the 2016 national election.(MNS photo)
MANILA, Mar 7 (Mabuhay) – Senator Grace Poe said she is at peace, and not bothered at all, by whatever the Supreme Court (SC) will decide on the disqualification case against her.
“Wala (None),” was Poe’s categorical answer when asked in an ambush interview in Butuan City on Monday if she had any apprehensions about the impending decision of the high tribunal.
Asked why, the senator said: “Hindi ko alam. Kasi para sa akin mas mabuti na ring magkaroon ng katapusan ang isang bagay, kung ano pa man ‘yan.”
(I don’t know. For me, it would be better if things would be decided on, whatever it may be.)
“At sabi ko naman gusto kong makapaglingkod sa ating mga kababayan, pero kung ano man ang magiging desisyon ng Korte Suprema ay tatanggapin ko, pero ang aking ipinaglalaban dito ay para sa mga ibang batang katulad ko rin na doon talaga—sa tingin ko – dapat magkaroon ng malinaw na desisyon ukol dito,” she said.
(I’ve been saying I would like to serve our fellow countrymen, but whatever the Supreme Court decision would be, I would accept it. But I’m fighting for the rights of other foundling like me and that matter—I think—should be given a clear decision.)
Poe was referring to her being a foundling, one of the issues raised in the disqualification cases lodged against her. She was found in a church in Iloilo when she was a baby and later adopted by veteran actress Susan Roces and the late action king Fernando Poe Jr.
“I’m really at peace with it. Masaya nga ako e. Hindi ko nga alam bakit,” said the senator.
(I’m really at peace with it. I’m actually happy. I don’t even know why.)
“Alam mo kasi, mas masaya ako ‘pag ako’y nag-iikot, sapagkat nakikita ko ang layunin bakit ko ginagawa ito. Kasi minsan ‘pag naghihintay ka lang doon, hindi ka nag-iikot, hindi mo nakikita ‘yung mga tao, nakakaligtaan mo bakit ka tumakbo in the first place. ‘Di ba, gusto mong tulungan itong mga tao na ito…”
(You know, I’m happier when I go around because I can see the goal why I’m doing this. Because sometimes, if you just wait and you’re not going around, you don’t see the people and you forget why run (for a public post) in the first place, to help these people.)
However, while she was ready to accept the decision of the SC, Poe pointed out that there are many people, who are hoping that she would be allowed to run for president in the upcoming elections in May.
“So many people are hopeful, maraming mga tao ang umaasa. Siguro ‘yon ang pinakamahirap. Ayoko silang biguin kaya ginagawa ko ang lahat ng aking makakaya sa aking sariling trabaho at saka pakikipaglaban para sa katotohanan,” she said.
(So many people are hopeful. Perhaps that’s the most difficult part. I don’t want to fail them that’s why I’m doing the best I can in my own job and in fighting for the truth.)
“Pero ang puno’t dulo rin nito ay kung ano ang sasabihin ng Korte Suprema. Kaya ang dasal ko palagi ay sana naman maliwanagan ang kanilang isipan at kanilang puso sa kanilang pagdedesisyon,” she added.
(But the decision lies on the Supreme Court. That’s why I am always praying that their minds and hearts will be enlightened in their decision.)
Poe said she was not only hopeful but was also confident that the high tribunal would favor her, saying she had never made false statements.
“At sa tingin ko naman ay ang interpretasyon ng batas o ang diwa ng batas ay para bigyan ng proteksyon ang mga kababayan natin, lalong-lalo na ‘yung mga naaapi. Sa tingin ko naman ang isang batang wala namang kasalanan na iniwan siya ng kanyang mga magulang ay hindi naman talaga dapat parusahan sa mata ng batas,” said the senator.
(And I think that the interpretation of law or essence of law is to give protection to our fellow countrymen, especially to those who are oppressed. I think a child who has been abandoned by his or her parents did not do anything wrong and I think he or she must not be punished by the law.) (MNS)