Senator Grace Poe made it clear that she believes quality of service and honesty and not length of service should be the basis in judging a public servant.
And why not? Experienced leaders were elected in the past, but what happened to the Philippines after that? From Ferdinand Marcos to Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, nothing good came out of their terms. Instead of pulling the country out of the poverty quagmire, these -so-called 'experienced' Presidents only drag the country deeper into an economic nightmare.
"While it is true that experience and competence are important, what counts the most is honesty. They supported President Cory (Aquino) before and her first qualification was being an honest person. I believe that length of service should not be the primary consideration, but quality of service and honesty," Poe said.
"Compared to him, I have been around for a very short time. But without any intention to brag, in my short period in government, I strive to do a lot to help the country’s poorest, the downtrodden and those who want to be heard," she added.
Poe was reacting to the statement of Vice-President Jejomar Binay the other day warning the electorate against electing a president without experience and competence in 2016.
Poe is so far the only potential presidential candidate who has come close to providing a challenge to the Vice President as surveys on voter preferences show.
A neophyte senator, Poe’s only other experience in the government was as chairperson of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board.
When asked if she thought Binay is honest, Poe said he could prove his honesty if he could answer allegations of corruption being raised against him instead of leaving it up to his spokespersons.
She said the people would weigh the allegations based on the evidence and testimonies presented.
"If you are seeking justice, then you should take the first step to attain this," she said.
Sen. Francis Escudero, for his part, said integrity, honesty and fairness on top of capability should be the basis of the electorate in voting for their next leaders.
Escudero reiterated his call for the Vice-President not to hide behind the secrecy of bank deposits, the confidentiality clauses of the Anti-Money Laundering Act and just face the allegations against him.
And why not? Experienced leaders were elected in the past, but what happened to the Philippines after that? From Ferdinand Marcos to Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, nothing good came out of their terms. Instead of pulling the country out of the poverty quagmire, these -so-called 'experienced' Presidents only drag the country deeper into an economic nightmare.
"While it is true that experience and competence are important, what counts the most is honesty. They supported President Cory (Aquino) before and her first qualification was being an honest person. I believe that length of service should not be the primary consideration, but quality of service and honesty," Poe said.
"Compared to him, I have been around for a very short time. But without any intention to brag, in my short period in government, I strive to do a lot to help the country’s poorest, the downtrodden and those who want to be heard," she added.
Poe was reacting to the statement of Vice-President Jejomar Binay the other day warning the electorate against electing a president without experience and competence in 2016.
Poe is so far the only potential presidential candidate who has come close to providing a challenge to the Vice President as surveys on voter preferences show.
A neophyte senator, Poe’s only other experience in the government was as chairperson of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board.
When asked if she thought Binay is honest, Poe said he could prove his honesty if he could answer allegations of corruption being raised against him instead of leaving it up to his spokespersons.
She said the people would weigh the allegations based on the evidence and testimonies presented.
"If you are seeking justice, then you should take the first step to attain this," she said.
Sen. Francis Escudero, for his part, said integrity, honesty and fairness on top of capability should be the basis of the electorate in voting for their next leaders.
Escudero reiterated his call for the Vice-President not to hide behind the secrecy of bank deposits, the confidentiality clauses of the Anti-Money Laundering Act and just face the allegations against him.