Poe, Duterte supporters make rounds in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Sen. Grace Poe made the rounds here yesterday in an effort to get the public pulse on the possibility of seeking the presidency in next year’s elections.

Poe arrived early in the morning and visited the transitory site housing thousands of evacuees who were displaced in the 2013 siege of the city by Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels.

Poe said the city is close to her family as her father, the late Fernando Poe Jr., garnered considerable votes here aside from filming several movies set in Zamboanga.

Poe said it was in Zamboanga City where she obtained the highest number of votes that propelled her to the top position in the senatorial race in the 2013 elections.

Poe also visited the Carmelite Monastery and consulted with Sister Agnes and asked for prayers about her political plans.

President Aquino, at the time still senator, had stayed inside the Carmelite Monastery for two days before he decided to run for the presidency in the 2010 elections after consulting with Sister Agnes.

Poe, however, declined to say if her visit and consultation would be an indication that she will run for the presidency.

She said she needed the spiritual formation from many, including Sister Agnes.

Poe added she will not be staying in the Carmelite Monastery but will only consult with Sister Agnes.

Poe said she is also consulting with many other friends and communities in this city.

Earlier, the supporters of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte also arrived here and held a caravan of support.

Ben Rangue, president of Mindanao Leader Duterte for President Movement, called on the public to support federalism and the presidency of Duterte.

Gonzalo Duque, a known supporter of Duterte, welcomed Poe to visit the Lyceum Northwestern University (LNU) in Pangasinan.

Duque, chancellor of the school, said Poe is welcome to speak before the students, stressing the school is open to politics.

“We stand foursquare for all political issues… fairly. We stand on democratic ground. We have played host to (Interior) Secretary Mar Roxas, Mayor Duterte and on Aug. 26, Sen. Grace Poe,” he added.

Duque said their goal is to inform, to educate, to open minds, to debate, to discuss all political issues concerning the students.

“Anytime, (Secretary) Joel Villanueva may visit or Sen. (Ferdinand) Bongbong Marcos. As we said, our doors are open to all schools of thought,” he said. – With Eva Visperas