Presidential candidate Senator Grace Poe expressed her gratitude with the endorsement of former President and now Manila City Mayor Joseph Ejercito “Erap” Estrada,  saying it was an honor and a privilege to get the former leader’s support.

After months of speculations, Poe finally got the endorsement of her adoptive father’s bestfriend and long-time ally.

Poe, a foundling, was adopted by the late actor Fernando “FPJ” Poe, Jr. and his wife Susan Roces. FPJ ran during the 2004 presidential elections against then-president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo but lost.

Estrada made the announcement before his supporters at the Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila. He also endorsed the vice presidential bid of Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr.

“Gusto lang kita tanungin, Ninong. Kaya mo ba ako inendorso ay dahil natatakot kang multuhin ka? (I just want to ask you, ninong. Did you endorse me because you’re afraid my father might appear to you as a ghost?)” Poe told Estrada in jest, eliciting laughter from the audience.

“Kasi ‘yan ang palagi niyang sinasabi sa akin eh: ‘Baka ‘pag hindi kita inendorso ay multuhin ako ng bestfriend ko.’ Pero, Ninong, sinabi ko na kay Papa na huwag ka namang multuhin kung sakaling iba ang maging desisyon mo. (Is that why you always say that if ‘I don’t endorse you, my bestfriend might appear to me?’ But I told Dad not to do so if ever you change your decision,” she said.

“Ang para sa akin, isang karangalan ang magkaroon ng pagsuporta ng isang mahal ng masa at nagmamahal sa ating mga kababayan (For me, it’s an honor to get the support of somebody who is loved by the masses and who loves our people just as well),” Poe said.

Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian said the Poe-Escudero camp is grateful for Estrada’s endorsement.

“Mayor Erap’s endorsement speaks of the characters ingrained in Sen. Grace Poe: trustworthy, honest and upright. These very traits, are the same virtues our voters see in Sen. Poe,” Gatchalian said in a text message.

“This endorsement brings to full circle the relationship between the Estradas and Poes that spans decades,” Gatchalian said.

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by Hannah Torregoza

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