MANILA, Philippines – Team PNoy bet Grace Poe assured voters she would be willing to fight for what is right — even if it was against the will of President Benigno Aquino III or those she knew personally as friends.

At the Rappler Debate on Saturday evening, April 13, Poe faced off with Bro Eddie Villanueva, leader of the Jesus is Lord (JIL) Movement, who asked her if she would disapprove policies of the government that hurts the poor but helps the rich.

The former censors chief said she was “honored” by the President’s invitation to her, but said she stayed as an Independent for a reason.

“I know I need to fight for what is right, just like what my father did. He is my inspiration,” she told the audience.

“If I’m given the chance to join the Senate, I will bring forth protests to the President because I learned he is easy to talk to and does not force you [one way or another],” she said.

If she disagrees with the government’s policies, she also said she would be willing to go on rallies with the youth and the people to promote the rights of the people, and not to destroy anybody.

Villanueva followed up his question and asked if she would push to put people in jail for violation of people’s rights, to which Poe said “yes — even if sometimes it hurts because we know them personally.”

She added, “What type of example will we give our children and next generation if we don’t do this? They’re not personal sins but sins to the country.”

Poe is the daughter of the late action star and former presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr.

Villanueva’s accomplishments

The first round format of the debate encourages pairs of senatorial bets to ask each other questions.

Poe, for her part, asked Villanueva what type of programs he and JIL have done for the Filipino people.

Villanueva, a self-styled kingmaker and twice-defeated presidential bet, enumerated various programs JIL has done in fields of health, jobs, and justice.

“JIL is non sectarian. We have a hospital ministry where we visit different hospitals, we pray over them and give inspiration and encouragement,” he said.

He said JIL also has livelihood programs wherein they teach people how to develop their businesses and have a good future.

Villanueva also mentioned the service they provide Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

“JIL helps 11 million OFWs. JIL has people in 52 countries including India, Russia, China. Afghanistan… JIL movement helps raise money for abused OFWs who don’t have the resources to come home,” he said.

Villanueva was backed by a loud, supportive group of followers who came in hordes to the debate donned in his trademark green color.

Running in 2013

Until she announced her intention to seek a Senate seat in late 2012, Grace Poe was the chief of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, a post to which she was appointed by President Aquino.

She started her campaign as a common candidate of both the administration Team PNoy and the opposition United Nationalist Alliance. She later found herself in a tight spot after both coalitions asked her to choose with whom to campaign. UNA, which counts among its leaders her godfather and her late father’s best friend, former President Joseph Estrada, eventually dropped her.

(Read Rappler’s profile: Grace Poe: UNA didn’t invite me initially)

This is the first time that Villanueva is running for senator, but this is not the first time he’s seeking a national post. In 2004 and 2010, he ran for president but lost. In 2010, he finished last among 5 candidates, with almost 2 million votes. In 2010, he got less votes – only 1.13 million – finishing 5^th among 9 candidates.

Initially, Villanueva’s son Joel, a member of the Aquino Cabinet, was being considered for inclusion in the Team PNoy slate, but was eventually dropped. Brother Eddie’s campaign got a boost recently when he was endorsed by boxing champion Manny Pacquiao.

(Read: The many lives of Eddie Villanueva)

Mood meter

At the end of the face off, 48% of people voted happy and 35% felt annoyed about Villanueva’s answers, while 45% felt annoyed and 37% felt happy about Poe.

Rappler’s first senatorial debate, held at the Quezon City Memorial Center, is the first time a senatorial debate was held in a public place to allow voters to engage the candidates.

The debate was livestreamed online through Rappler.com and broadcast live on Radyo Natin, the biggest radio network in the Philippines.Radyo Natin has 100 stations nationwide – from Claveria and Aparri, Cagayan in the north to Bongao, Tawi-tawi in the south – which broadcasts to audiences never before reached by other radio stations. Radyo Natin is found on the FM band. – Rappler.com

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