Poe: ‘Pangasinan should adopt me as a daughter and citizen’

Pangasinan should adopt Senator Grace Poe as a daughter and natural born citizen, the presidential candidate said while visiting schools in the province on Friday.

During a speech at the University of Pangasinan, Poe said that her family hails from San Carlos, Pangasinan.

Poe, whose citizenship is being questioned, thanked the community for treating her as family.

"Sa ating mga kababayan, nais kong magpasalamat sa aking mga kababayan sa Pangasinan, sa inyong pag-adopt sa akin bilang anak ng Pangasinan. Hiling ko po sana na idagdag ninyo, natural-born na anak ng Pangasinan," Poe said in her speech.

The senator presented her platform to students and faculty members of different schools as part of her campaign to win the presidential race in the May elections.

Aside from free college education to those who cannot afford it, Poe promised free and fast internet connection in schools if she and running mate Senator Chiz Escudero win the elections this May.

She added that she and Escudero are not corrupt.

The tandem was joined by Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto, Reps. Win Gatchalian and Samuel Pagdilao, actor Edu Manzano, and lawyers Roman Romulo and Lorna Kapunan, who are part of their senatorial lineup.

Susan "Toots" Ople's daughter, Stella, represented her during the visit.

Pangasinan is the third highest province rich in votes, with 1,705,260 registered voters in its population, according to data from the Commission on Elections (Comelec). —Jessica Bartolome/KG, GMA News