Poe, Escudero barnstorm Cebu

CEBU, Philippines -  Mobbed by a huge crowd, the tandem of Senators Grace Poe and Chiz Escudero was the first to visit Cebu since the start of the campaign period of national candidates Tuesday.

Yesterday, the two, campaigning with the battle cry “Gobyernong may Puso”, visited Toledo City in the western part of the province before proceeding to Camotes Island in the north.  Poe said they are happy for the support from the Espinosa family in Toledo.

“Mas maraming suporta, mas maganda. Kami ay pumupunta sa mga lugar na kami ay ini-imbitahan katulad ng Toledo City o kayay mag-courtesy call kami sa mga partido. Importante ang suporta sa lokal na partido pero, in the end, ang tao pa rin ang pumipili kung sino ang gusto nilang iboto,” Poe said.

The Espinosas are allies of One Cebu Party, which is supporting Vice President Jejomar Binay, but former Toledo Mayor Arlene “Daydee” Zambo Espinosa said they have given Poe their word even before One Cebu decided to support Binay, who is supporting the mayoralty bid of incumbent Toledo Mayor John “Sonny” Osmeña.

“It would be very awkward that we will support Binay who is supporting our rival. Last November, we have decided to support Poe and we thought One Cebu will also support her, but they go for Binay and we are not turning our back on Poe since we already committed our support to her,” Espinosa said.

Poe and Escudero together with their senatorial candidates, Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno and lawyer Lorna Kapunan, faced a huge crowd at the University of the Visayas in Toledo.

Asked how he wants to develop Cebu, Escudero said his plan is on a macro level at this point. 

“Akoy naniniwala na ang development ay hindi lang para sa Cebu. Dapat ito ay sa buong bayan na walang maiiwan,” he said.

Answering a question from a student, Poe also said the Philippines should not give up in the ongoing dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea.

Political dynasty

Meanwhile, Poe lauded the passage of the new Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Law, which, she said, can fight political dynasty.

President Benigno Aquino III signed into law Republic Act 10742 or An Act Establishing Reforms in the Sangguniang Kabataan, Creating Enabling Mechanisms for Meaningful Youth Participation in Nation-building and for other purposes.

Among the salient provisions of the SK Reform Law is the provision that says that elected or appointed SK officers must not be related within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to any incumbent elected national official, incumbent elected regional, provincial, city, municipal official in the locality where he/she seeks to be elected.

“As an anti-political dynasty advocate, I see how genuine development is being hampered because the authority and the opportunity to lead are being limited to a particular clan that hinders the concept of inclusive and participatory governance,” Poe said in a statement.

She is hopeful that the development will bring forth stricter and more relevant laws and policies that will establish specific provisions prohibiting the proliferation of political dynasties.

“Truly, the passage of the SK Reform Law promises a new beginning for the members of the younger generation, that they are at the forefront of nation-building,” Poe said.  — (FREEMAN)