Chiz asks public to let Poe’s kin resolve misunderstanding

Senator Francis Escudero on Wednesday appealed to the public to let the relatives of Senator Grace Poe resolve the supposed misunderstanding caused by her decision to seek the presidency in next year's elections.

“Noong panahon na ako ang nasa kalagayang 'yan, mas nanaisin ko palagi na anumang personal na hindi pagkakaunawan, huwag nang ihalo sa ingay at gulo ng pulitika, hayaan nating pamilya ang magresolba niyan,” Escudero told reporters.

Escudero, Poe's running mate in the 2016 elections, was referring to the 2013 rift between him and the family of his then-girlfriend Heart Evangelista, who he later married.

“Ayokong panghimasukan ang hindi pagkakaunawaan sa pagitan ng mga miyembro ng pamilya. Magkakapamilya sila at magkakamag-anak, baka sa dulo magkakakampi na sila,” he said.

Poe’s cousin, actress Sheryl Cruz, earlier said she thinks the lady senator is not yet ready to be president.

Escudero, meanwhile, said he does not think Cruz’ statement will affect Poe’s candidacy.

“Sa pananaw at palagay ko hindi naman [makaaapekto] dahil personal niyang (Cruz) opinyon 'yun at maliwanag na hindi pagkakaunawaan lamang iyon sa pagitan ng magkakamag-anak,” he said.

He expressed hope the misunderstanding will be resolved soon and will not be used by Poe’s critics against her.

“Sinumang pamilya siguro yun ang nais palagi, mabuo at maalis ng anumang hindi pagkakaunawaan. At sana hindi na magamit sa pulitika, sana wag nang paghimasukan o pakinabangan pa ng iba dahil pamilya pa rin yun at hindi tama, maski anumang libro mong tignan, panahon man ng halalan o hindi, na binabasag o nababasag ang pamilya ng isang tao,” he said.

The Office of Senator Poe said it has no statement yet on Cruz's remark. The actress’ brother, Wowie, works at Poe's office. —KBK, GMA News