Susan Roces on Grace Poe critics: ‘How dare they!’

MANILA, Philippines – Actress Susan Roces on Tuesday, August 18, defended her daughter and survey front runner Senator Grace Poe from criticism she lacks the experience to run for president. 

She also dismissed claims Poe is not a natural-born Filipino and thus disqualified from holding high posts in government. 

In an interview with ABS-CBN on Tuesday, August 18, Roces said other candidates may have more experience but this is not necessarily a good thing. Poe is a neophyte senator.

“Ibang-iba naman ang experience ng tao. Mayroong experience na mabuti. Mayroong experience na hindi yata kanais-nais at hindi natin maipagmamalaki. Walang makakapagsabi kung sino ang may tamang experience,” Poe told ABS-CBN.

(The experience of people varies. There is experience that is good. There’s also experience that may be unpleasant and not something to be proud of. Nobody can say who has the right experience.)

President Benigno Aquino III was believed to be referring to Poe when he said in his speech endorsing Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II that “the ideal situation is for those who still need experience to have the opportunity to have their skills and talents fully developed, and to understand all that is required of a leader.” (READ: Poe to Aquino: ‘Unripe’ ones last longer)

‘Kurot sa puso’

It wasn’t clear if Roces was referring to presumptive presidential candidates Vice President Jejomar Binay or Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II when she defended her daughter Grace.

Binay is facing plunder in relation to an overpriced multi-million-peso New Makati City Parking building contract. Roxas as Interior Secretary has been repeatedly criticized for government’s failures in various crises that hit the country such as the slow response after Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) hit and the Zamboanga siege.

“Para yatang hindi maganda. Personal na ang ginagawa nilang pambabatikos para lang makapanggulo. Siyempre may kurot sa aking puso,” Roces said. (I think it’s turning ugly. The criticism is turning personal just to mess things up. Of course, I am pained.)

In a separate interview with GMA News and the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Roces turned emotional when asked about Poe’s citizenship. (READ: FPJ’s citizenship woes a glimpse of Grace Poe’s battle ahead)

“How dare they! Wala silang karapatang duru-duruin ang anak ko at sabihing hindi citizen ang anak ko (They do not have the right to point fingers at my daughter and say that she is not a citizen),” Roces was quoted as saying in the reports.

“Kahit askal lalaban nang patayan, huwag mong mahipo-hipo ang tuta ng bagong inahing aso. Kahit hayop nasasaktan kapag ginagawan ng ‘di maganda,” she added. (Even a stray dog would fight to the finish if you dare touch the pup of a new mother dog. Even an animal gets hurt when it’s wronged.)

Roces recalled that Poe’s umbillical cord was still attached when she was found in a church in Jaro, Iloilo.

Lito David, who ran for senator but lost in 2013, filed a disqualification case against Poe, arguing that she is not a natural-born Filipino since she is a foundling.

Poe confronted Roxas during a recent meeting to ask if his camp is behind the case against her. Roxas denied it. – Rappler.com