CEBU CITY, Philippines – Poll front runner Senator Grace Poe arrived in Cebu a day ahead of the Visayas leg of the presidential debates set on Sunday, March 20.

Poe, the second candidate to arrive in Cebu after early bird Vice President Jejomar Binay, kept her public engagements to a minimum as she had to “cram” for the debate to be held at the University of the Philippines Cebu.

Upon reaching Cebu, Poe headed to the Indiana Aerospace University in Lapu-Lapu City to address its graduates. But she had to cut short her participation and disclosed the reason to her audience.

“Gusto ko po sana ako ang magbigay ng inyong diploma. ‘Yun po‬ talaga sana ang plano. But students, I’m sure you will appreciate this, if you‬ ‪are reviewing overnight or for many nights to be able to pass the exams, I‬ ‪still have to review for our debate tomorrow. Yan ang problema ‘pag nagka-cram,” she quipped.

(I want to hand out your diplomas. That was really the plan. But students, I’m sure you will appreciate this, if you‬ ‪are reviewing overnight or for many nights to be able to pass the exams, I‬ ‪still have to review for our debate tomorrow. That’s the problem when you cram.)

“Actually umiikot naman kami sa buong bansa and we ask the LGUs, ‘What can we do‬ ‪for your province?’ But the problem is, of course, the country is a huge‬ ‪archipelago, maraming kailangan pag-aralan kaya mamaya magpupuyat na naman‬ ‪kami,” she added.

(Actually, we’ve been going around the whole country and we ask the LGUs, “What can we do for your province? But the problem is, of course, the country is a huge‬ ‪archipelago, there are many things to study, so we will again sleep late tonight.)

In an interview with reporters after the event, Poe said she has to prepare well for the debate so that she can deliver her full message to the people. (READ: Comelec: Expect ‘improved’ 2nd presidential debate)

“Marami talagang kailangan paghandaan kasi madami ring problema ang ating bansa….Kailangan mahimay natin ano ba ‘yung mga importanteng malaman ng ating mga kababayan,” Poe told reporters.

(I have to prepare for a lot of things because our country has a lot of problems…. We need to thresh out the most important matters that our countrymen should know about.)

‘Friendly’ lunch with administration ally

Poe was supposed to join her running mate, Senator Francis Escudero, for lunch at the residence of former Cebu City mayor Tomas Osmeña, the administration’s candidate for Cebu mayor.

Poe was unable to attend because she had a doctor’s appointment for a minor infection of her left eye, leaving Escudero to dine alone with Osmeña and his wife, Councilor Margarita Osmeña.

Asked if the lunch with Escudero meant he was endorsing him, Osmeña stressed that it was just a “friendly” visit.

Osmeña clarified that he is still supporting Liberal Party standard-bearer Manuel Roxas II and his running mate, Camarines Sur Representative Leni Robredo.

The former mayor said that he’s backing Robredo even if “it hurts” him, as he is a long-time friend of Escudero.

His wife was a sponsor at the wedding of Escudero and actress Heart Evangelista. Osmeña also said that Escudero visited him in Houston, Texas, when he was being treated for cancer.

Stronger chances in Cebu?

Even without the endorsement of Osmeña, Poe’s camp remained optimistic that they will get a good chunk of the coveted Cebuano vote.

The local Bakud Party of the prominent Durano clan recently endorsed the Poe-Escudero tandem.

Team Galing at Puso campaign manager Ace Durano said that 89% of elected officials in Cebu’s 5th district belong to Bakud. This would mean “credible and strong leaders” in areas with 400,000 voters would be working hard for the lady senator, Durano added.

Poe was grateful for the party for “taking the leap of faith” in endorsing her. “It’s hard to throw support for someone who’s not the candidate of the administration,” she said in Filipino.

Cebu, with a voting population of 2.7 million, is the most vote-rich province in the Philippines. – Rappler.com