DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines – Presidential bet Senator Grace Poe on Friday, February 12, addressed the issue of her smoking, saying it is the same issue thrown at President Benigno Aquino III.

“’Yan din ang iniissue nila sa ating pangulo. Para sa akin, hindi talaga ‘yan isang bagay na dapat gawin. Lahat naman ay naghahanap ng paraan para matigil ‘yan,” Poe told reporters in a chance interview during her Pangasinan sortie.

(That’s also their issue with President Aquino. For me, that is something that should not be done. Everyone is looking for ways to kick the habit.)

President Aquino, a known heavy smoker, have faced the same criticism since his 2010 campaign and even until now. (READ: Will the President please stop smoking?)

But Poe downplayed the issue. She said that, more than smoking, voters should inquire about candidates who may be using illegal drugs.

She also said candidates should make public if they have health issues, as she gave assurances that she is physically fit to face the gruelling job of the presidency.

While smoking is legal in the Philippines, it is prohibited in public places nationwide. Health experts estimate that 10 Filipinos die of smoke-related diseases every hour. (READ: Are you at risk? 5 smoking-related diseases you should know about)

“Pero sa tingin ko ang mas dapat natin tutukan sa mga kandidato ay magboluntaryong magbigay ng drug tests sapagkat ‘yan ang illegal, ‘yan ang di nararapat sa ating batas. ‘Yun ang para sa ‘kin na dapat tutukan kasi ‘yun ang nagiging salot sa ating bansa,” said Poe, who chairs the Senate committee on public order and danger drugs.

(But I think we should focus more on candidates’ voluntary submission of drug tests because that’s illegal, that’s what’s unlawful. For me, that should be the focus because that’s a plague to our society.)

Poe, a smoker, said candidates should submit to “voluntary drug tests” that should include hair and blood sample to further track a person’s drug use. She added there should only be one drug testing center for all.

“Dapat ‘yan meron talagang isang lugar kung saan doon lahat pupunta para di kanya-kanyang submission lang. At hindi p’wedeng urine sample lang, kailangan blood at kailangan hair sapagkat makikita mo, not just the past week results kundi years,” Poe said.

(There should be one drug testing center so that there would be no individual submissions. It should not just be urine samples, blood and hair should be tested because there you will see, not just the week results but usage in the past years.) – Rappler.com