Image from Grace Poe’s Facebook account - Senator Poe officially bowed out of the presidential race
- She called Duterte, congratulated him for his impending victory
- She vowed to be part of the healing process and cooperate with Duterte
MANILA, Philippines – And she’s out.
With Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte set to become the country’s next president, Sen. Grace Poe announced her official withdrawal from the race late Monday evening, May 9.
In a hastily called press conference, Poe said she called up Duterte to congratulate him and concede her candidacy.
“Ako si Grace Poe at naging kandidato para sa pagkapangulo ngayong 2016 ay nagbibigay-daan kay Rodrigo Duterte na siyang maliwanag na nangunguna sa kasalukuyang bilangan at siyang napili ng nakararami sa ating mga kababayan [I am Grace Poe, and I am giving way to Rodrigo Duterte, whom the majority of our countrymen have chosen,” the Philippine Daily Inquirer quoted her as saying.
“Bilang isang masidhing tagapagtaguyod ng repormang pang-eleksyon, matatag ang paniniwala ko sa boses at kalooban ng ating taumbayan. Iginagalang ko ang resulta ng ating halalan [As one of the staunch supporters of electoral reforms, I firmly believe in the voice and integrity of our countrymen. I respect the results of our elections],” she added.
The senator, who was an early favorite in the race, vowed to be part of the healing process and cooperate with Duterte on the country’s growth and development.
“Binabati ko si Mayor Rodrigo Duterte at ipinapangako ko ang aking pakikiisa sa paghilom ng ating bayan at pakikiisa ng ating mga kababayan tungo sa patuloy na pag-unlad ng ating bansa [I congratulate Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and I promise to be part of our nation’s healing process and be one with our countrymen towards continuous progress in our country] ,” she said.
For his part, Duterte confirmed Poe’s call to him.
“Grace called me and congratulated me. And she said, ‘Mayor, I’m going to make an announcement.’ So sabi ko [So I said], ‘Thank you,’” he noted.
The senator’s graceful and courteous bowing out of the presidential race is to be admired.
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