Susan Roces: This presidential campaign will be different

MANILA, Philippines – Susan Roces expressed confidence on Wednesday, September 16, that her and Fernando Poe Jr’s daughter, Senator Grace Poe, will have the strength of character and grace to go through an expectedly challenging campaign in 2016.

The veteran actress also said she would not mind going through another presidential campaign, 11 years after her husband, FPJ, ran for the highest post and lost after reportedly being cheated by then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Circumstances, candidates, and the overall situation of the country are different now, Roces said.

The actress was asked at the launch of Poe’s 2016 bid how she feels about “another presidential campaign.”

She said: “But this is different. Everything is quite different – even the lineup of candidates, the country’s situation, the challenges that all candidates face. So this is quite different from what happened more than 10 years ago.”

She said that, like any mother, she prays that her daughter’s dreams will be realized, especially if this will be for the good of the country.

Her wish, she said, is that the campaign and the elections will be orderly and peaceful.

Roces’ said:

“Lahat ng pangarap ng mga anak natin ay pinapanalangin natin na manawari ay matupad. So isa na ako sa ganyang klaseng ina, basta makabubuti at makakatulong. Siyempre ang panalangin ko gabayan nawa siya ng Panginoong Diyos.

“Bilang ina, panalangin ko na maging maayos ang kalalabasan ng kampanya at ng eleksyon. Kung ano ang makabubuti sa ating mga kababayan. Sana mapayapa at makabuluhan ang gagawing kampanya at maging peaceful at maayos ang darating na halalan.”

(We all pray for our children’s dreams to be realized. I’m one of those mothers, as long as this will help and will redound for the good of others. Of course, I pray that the Lord God will guide her. As a mother, I pray that the campaign and the elections will have a good outcome. Whatever will be good for our countrymen. I hope the conduct of the campaign will be meaningful and peaceful, and the elections will be peaceful and orderly.)

Isn’t Roces apprehensive of Poe’s decision to run for higher office in 2016? 

“Alam mo, malaking challenge ito. Maraming trials na pagdadaanan katulad din ng maski anong karerang ating pinipili. Ngayon, sumasabak siya sa ganitong halalan. Habang lumalaki, marami na rin siyang challenges na hinarap. I hope she lives up to her name, be gracious in everything, always, always be gracious,” the actress said.

(You know, this is a big challenge. She will go through trials just like in any career you choose. Now, she’s chosen to go through an election like this. While growing up, she hurdled many challenges. I hope she lives up to her name, be gracious in everything, always, always be gracious.)

Poe’s husband, Neil Llamanzares, said the family will stand by the senator in a campaign where mudslinging is also expected. He expressed hope that her supporters will do the same.

“Whatever she’s gonna go through, we’re with her 100%,” he said.

Should critics target him as well, Llamanzares said, “We’re ready for it.”

He addressed her wife’s supporters: “I’m so glad you’re here. We’re proud of Grace, we feel what you feel. I hope you’re with us all the way.” – Camille Elemia/Rappler.com