MANILA, Philippines – Sen. Grace Poe on Wednesday officially announced she is running for president in the 2016 elections.
“Ako po si Grace Poe. Pilipino. Anak, asawa at ina, at sa tulong ng Mahal na Diyos ay inaalay ko sa inyong lahat ang aking sarili sa mas mataas na paninilbihan bilang inyong Pangulo,” Poe said in her speech.
The senator did not mention who her running mate is.
In her "important announcement" Poe said she wants to continue what her father, Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ) has started.
Poe’s important announcement came ahead of the decision of the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) on her disqualification case over her citizenship. The SET has set guidelines for its oral arguments to be held at the Supreme Court on September 21.
The announcement was held at held at the Ang Bahay ng Alumni, University of the Philippines, Diliman Quezon City where several politicians supporters, and celebrities including her mother, Susan Roces were present to show support.
Aside from Poe, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas and Vice President Jejomar “Jojo” Binay announced their bids under the Liberal Party and United Nationalist Alliance, respectively.
Last June, Poe topped the presidential and vice presidential preferential survey of the Social Weather Stations.