Grace Poe’s powerful personal narrative and support among the poor have put her in box seat to become next Philippine president
Detractors have questioned her allegiance because she once renounced her Philippine citizenship to become a naturalised US citizen.
Her life story could have come straight out of a soap opera. As a newborn, Grace Poe was abandoned in a Catholic church and adopted by film star parents, giving her a powerful narrative and name that have helped catapult her to front runner status in the Philippine presidential race.
A political newcomer, elected to the Senate just three years ago, Poe has promised to cut taxes, fight crime and offer free kindergarten-to-college education for the poor. But it is the popularity of her late father, regarded as the king of Philippine cinema, and her humble beginnings that appeal to the masses in this country where presidents have traditionally come from the landed gentry and political elite.
I think I can deliver on those promises. Filipinos should really have a leader that unifies
The 47-year-old candidate’s campaign speeches are peppered with dialogue from the movies of her late father Fernando Poe Jr, popularly known as FPJ, who often played roles of an underdog battling powerful opponents to champion the poor and oppressed. He too ran for president in 2004 but lost amid allegations he was cheated in an election many viewed as marked by fraud. He died months later, unable to carry out his battles off the screen.
His daughter is pledging to fight real-life poverty and despair – and her father’s public image is a huge asset in her campaign.
“I like her because Fernando Poe is my idol,” said Eliza Oledan, a laundrywoman with nine children, after hearing Poe a rally in Manila. “I also like her platform of government, especially that she will make college education free.”
One of her children had to stop schooling due to lack of money, Oledan said.