QUEZON, Philippines – A day after the Supreme Court allowed her to run for president, Senator Grace Poe confirmed that politicians from other political parties are set to join her team.
She, however, refused to identify them when pressed by reporters on Wednesday, March 9, during a sortie in Quezon province.
“Meron. In due time, malapit na.Naintindihan namin na ang mga local candidates nag-aalinlangan sumuporta sa isang taong may kasong nakabinbin,” Poe said.
(There are [those who are jumping ship]. In due time, it's near. We understand that local candidates would hesitate to support a person who has a pending case in court.)
Poe shared that some politicians have expressed their desire to join her even before the High Court ruled on her disqualification case.
“Sinabi lang (nila) ma-resolve lang sa SC, lalabas na kami,” Poe said. (They said once it's resolved by the SC, we're coming out.)
Pressed if there were candidates who tried to reach her Tuesday night, Poe said there were indeed some who called her upon finding out the court ruling.
Some members of the Liberal Party are rumored to be shifting allegiance to Poe, but the neophyte senator refused to specify associations or names, saying all will be known “in the following days.”
“Alam mo maraming iba’t ibang partido sa Pilipinas. Madami tayong kilala sa lahat ng mga partido. Hintayin na lang natin sa mga darating na araw,” Poe insisted. (You know there are different parties in the Philippines. We know a lot from all parties. Let's just wait in the coming days.)
Poe said she’d rather wait for these people to come out as she does not want to come across as boastful.
“Di ko naman sinabi direkta kung sinoman o anong partido, pero definitely merong mga sasama. Marami nang nagsabi. 'Yaan mo na, ayoko magyabang… merong tutulong, maraming tutulong,” Poe said.
(I did not say directly who they are or which party they belong to, but definitely there are politicians from other camps who will join us. A lot of them already talked to us. Just let it be, I don't want to gloat. There are those who will help us, many will help us.)
The Nationalist People’s Coalition, the second biggest political party, earlier endorsed Poe and running mate Francis Escudero. (READ: Grace Poe could propel NPC as PH’s biggest political party)– Rappler.com