Sen. Grace Poe is counting on Pangasinenses once again for their strong support base in the upcoming midterm elections in May.
Poe, who is seeking her second term as an independent candidate, launched the provincial leg of her campaign sorties on Tuesday, Feb. 19 in vote-rich Pangasinan, the hometown of her father, the late movie icon Fernando Poe, Jr. (FPJ).
Poe said she feels “very at home” every time she goes back to the province that has also sort of adopted her.
“Ito ay probinsya ng aking ama at itong mga kababayan niya ay tinanggap din ako nang buong-buo at hindi po nagbago ang kanilang tiwala at ako’y nagpapasalamat,” Poe said in a chance interview, adding it was “heartwarming” to see the unwavering support of Pangasinenses.
Poe’s first stop was in Pangasinan State University-San Carlos campus, where she was greeted by City Mayor Joseres Resuello, vice gubernatorial candidate Mark Ronald Lambino, board member Darwina Sampang, Councilor Sammy Millora and other local officials.
Pangasinan delivered the votes for Poe in her 2013 senatorial bid and in the 2016 presidential elections where she got the highest number of votes in the province. Pangasinan, which forms part of the so-called “solid north,” is the country’s third biggest voting population with about 1.8 million voters.
Poe also acknowledged their support in her previous campaigns and when the “Da King” ran in 2004.
“Aside from the warmth that they extend, we also have friends and relatives here. Kaya ‘pag pumupunta ako dito, hindi ako bumibisita, umuuwi ako. Siguro ako lang ang isa sa iilan sa tumatakbong senador na may ugat dito sa Pangasinan,” added Poe.
At the Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation, some 3,000 students gave a rousing welcome as Poe attended a student forum.
Poe’s campaign then proceeded to the nearby town of Bayambang where she met with local officials led by Mayor Cezar Quiambao and Engr. Rosendo So, chairman of the multi-industry alliance Samahan ng Industriya at Agrikultura and Abono party-list, among others.(30)
