Why is Grace running for president?

I AM an ordinary housewife and grandmother. I keep abreast of current events, especially political crowd-pullers. That’s why I looked at the emergence of Grace Poe as a “presidentiable” with much hope.

She was a refreshing phenomenon in an otherwise bleak political landscape. Until… she opened her mouth in an ambush interview to defend the indefensible—the bullying by the Iglesia ni Cristo to thwart the workings of our justice system and bend it to its will. This was when I began to look at her more closely and without the rose-colored glasses.

I need to ask these questions which were previously ignored because I had so much hope in her.

1. On her knee-jerk response to defend the INC, does this mean that under her fair skin, Grace Poe is really a “trapo”—quick to seize the moments which could advance her personal political interests, in this case, INC’s much-vaunted millions of votes?

2. I don’t care much whether she is proven to be a Filipino citizen or not. What weighs heavily on me is the alacrity with which she gave up her Filipino citizenship for expediency and for a promising future in an adopted land. When an opportunity to enter public service presented itself as chair of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, she hastily discarded her American citizenship to reacquire her Filipino citizenship. Can someone who treats allegiance and loyalty to her country with such a cavalier attitude really love her country?

3. Why this incredible dependence on Sen. Chiz Escudero? Chiz Escudero is for Chiz Escudero, that is a no-brainer. He exudes opportunism and lack of integrity—the term “user” best describes him. But she believes in him. Is that because she is just a poor judge of character (a dangerous trait for a “presidential” wannabe); or again under her fair skin, Escudero is really a kindred spirit? They share the same views on issues (on the INC, she mouthed Chiz’s line). Will they govern together or, heaven forbid, will Escudero be the power behind the throne?

4. Is Poe offering herself to lead the country, the Philippines, out of love for her motherland and is she willing to suffer and to sacrifice and dedicate her whole life to its service and welfare? Or, is she running for the presidency because she CAN WIN? Now, not later. Never mind the lack of experience and preparation for such an enormous undertaking, never mind the responsibilities the position lays on her shoulders, she can learn along the way! Damn the torpedoes! The OPPORTUNITY is there! Grab it!

—AIDA B. AGUDA, San Juan City