MANILA, Philippines – Presidential polls front runner Senator Grace Poe called on other presidential candidates to focus on “platform of government” and not rely on “X-factor” or “charisma” in their respective campaigns.

Ironically these are the some of the issues thrown at her. Poe earlier admitted that her biggest capital is the name of her father, the late action star Fernando Poe Jr, who is still well-loved by the masses.

Despite this, Poe was quick to point out that she wants voters to choose her for her plans not for her showbiz affiliations. 

“All leaders need charisma to lead, to inspire. But if you transform your campaign into a circus, you will just be taking away much of the people’s precious attention from the messages you want to convey,” Poe said in a statement released on Monday, October 12, the start of the filing of certificates of candidacy.

Poe revealed her 20-point agenda during her declaration on September 16. While she was the first presidential bet to do so, she has yet to specify how she plans to accomplish them. (READ: Grace Poe: I offer myself as your president)

Poe called on her fellow bets to center on “intellectual discourse” not on “pomp and pageantry” in their campaigns.

Poe said candidates should respect the electoral process and Filipino voters, saying sorties are the best venue to “explain” advocacies and concrete steps of actions to the public.

Poe further said she favors televised debates among the presidential candidates.

“That way, we can remove all the pomp and pageantry that are usually seen at campaign sorties and allow the voters to see and hear for themselves how we will be able to handle the country’s problems,” Poe said. – Rappler.com