Senator Grace Poe can thank her late father, actor Fernando Poe Jr., for this development.
“On Monday, March 28, Manila Mayor Joseph ‘Erap’ Estrada endorsed Poe, his goddaughter, for the 2016 presidential elections during his own proclamation rally for a reelection bid at the Liwasang Bonifacio,” reports Aie Balagtas See in Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Estrada cited his decades-long friendship with Poe’s father. The report noted: “Erap’s announcement comes after months of stalling on whether he would support Poe or Vice President Jejomar Binay, a candidate of the United Nationalist Alliance, his political ally and friend.”
Erap had this to say about Poe, “Mabuti at mapapagkatiwalaang tao tulad ng kanyang ama. Ang kanyang minamahal na anak ang nag nanais na magpatuloy ng kanyang nasimulan … Ang susunod na magiging pangulo, Senator Grace Poe (She is a good person and she can be trusted, just like her father. Her father’s beloved daughter now aspires to continue what he has started… Our next President, Senator Grace Poe).”
Poe in return thanked Estrada and joked, “Ninong, tell me the truth, did you support me because you were afraid that daddy might haunt you?”
She then added, “Thank you for choosing me. I know it’s not an easy choice. I will not disappoint you.”
