MANILA, Philippines – Looks like everything is set for Senator Grace Poe’s declaration of her presidential bid on Wednesday, September 16.

Rappler first reported that the event would be held at the Bahay ng Alumni in the University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City. (READ: Grace Poe to declare candidacy on September 16?) 

Poe is an avid believer of feng shui, a Chinese practice. A Rappler source close to the senator said Poe had the September 16 date checked by a feng shui master and eventually got a go signal. After all, the so-called ghost month would have ended by then.

A second source, a supporter of the senator, confirmed this information. The source said groups have prepared tarpaulins and shirts for the event.

The first source said Poe would declare without her friend and political ally Francis “Chiz” Escudero, who is said to be declaring a day after, Thursday, September 17.

Poe’s camp met with several television news groups on Monday, September 14, to discuss the coverage plan for the event.

No more chance of Roxas-Poe?

President Benigno Aquino III earlier said the Liberal Party would wait for Poe’s decision to become its vice presidential bet until the deadline for filing of certificates of candidacy in October. 

Now, Aquino said they are “not worried” by Poe’s expected declaration and that they “like to hear” what she would say. (READ: Aquino ‘not worried’ by Grace Poe declaration)

The first source told Rappler the reason Poe has so far been cold to the idea of running under the Liberal Party is because the same people who discredited her father in 2004 – the late action star Fernando Poe Jr – are among Roxas’ supporters.

The source said many from what used to be known as “The Firm,” the law office believed to have backed the disqualification case against FPJ, are supporting Roxas. The law firm has since split into two.

Senatorial candidates

As earlier reported in Rappler, some of the senatorial candidates being eyed by Poe are:

1. Senator Ralph Recto, who Poe said would be a good addition to a senatorial slate because of his expertise in budget and finance.
2. Senator Vicente Sotto III, who is a member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition and has repeatedly expressed support for the Poe-Escudero tandem.
3. Las Piñas Representative Mark Villar, who joined Poe and Escudero in an event in Mindanao in August.
4. Valenzuela Representative Sherwin Gatchalian, who was present at Poe’s last meeting with the NPC.
5. Pasig Representative Roman Romulo, who was also present in Poe’s last meeting with the NPC and during Poe’s Nueva Ecija event and radio interviews.
6. TESDA Chairman Joel Villanueva, who, after saying he would not run under LP because of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, attended Poe’s second meeting with the NPC.
7. Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal, who had earlier expressed support for the neophyte senator amid citizenship and residency issues hurled at her. 

The first source said these people would likely be present in Wednesday’s event. – Rappler.com