MANILA, Philippines – Amid controversies surrounding her possible candidacy for president, Senator Grace Poe said her critics are keen on “weakening” her position to run for higher office in 2016.

Aside from personal attacks, Poe is facing a disqualification case before the Senate Electoral Tribunal on the basis of her alleged questionable citizenship.

“Pero sa nakikita ko sa mga lumalabas sa media na sila ang nagpapalabas ngayon, gusto nila talaga hinaan ang aking posisyon na magdesisyon na tumakbo sa mas mataas na posisyon. Gayunpaman, ang sinasabi ko nga, ito ay laban para sa kinabukasan ng ating mga kababayan. Kung ano man ang makakabuti sa kanila,” Poe told reporters in an interview on Monday, August 10.

(But with what I see on the media, they really want to weaken my position to run for higher post in 2016. Nevertheless, as I said, this is a fight for the future of our fellowmen. Whatever will benefit them.)

Poe, on calls for her to slide down to vice president for 2016, challenged her critics to ask themselves the same question they throw at her.

No less than President Benigno Aquino III admitted the opposition might end up winning in 2016 if there would be no single administration ticket. 

“Sinasabi ng iba, siguro huwag mo na isipin na tumakbo sa mataas na posisyon at hahatiin mo ang boto. Hindi ba p’wedeng tanungin din naman sa kanila iyon?” Poe said.

(Others are saying, “Maybe you should not consider running for a higher post because you will just split votes.” But the same question could be asked of them.)

Poe is leading in national presidential preference surveys, followed by Vice President Jejomar Binay and Roxas.

While Aquino did not directly say it, Poe earlier admitted she felt the President wants her to be the running mate of administration standard-bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II.

But Poe had so far been cool to the idea and had begun drafting her campaign plaftorm for 2016. – Rappler.com