Senator Grace Poe capped her 12-year, two-term stint at the Senate with a heartfelt and amusing speech, grateful to the Filipinos for allowing her to serve.
In her valedictory address, Poe said she was grateful to the Filipinos for their trust and the opportunity to serve.
“The real power of this office lies not in the title, but in the trust and dreams of the people we serve.”
“I stand before you, not just as a lawmaker, but as your humbled public servant who has learned that the real power of this office lies not in the title, but in the trust and dreams of the people we serve. Maraming salamat po sa tiwala niyong lahat,” the veteran legislator said.
The seasoned lawmaker said being a senator kept her grounded — sometimes by gravity of the issues and occasionally by the weight of the paperwork.
“Whether by design or, more often, by sheer luck (or lack thereof), I somehow always found myself right in the middle of tough investigations like the Mamasapano Massacre, MRT3 woes, the NAIA glitch, PUV Modernization, and the wild world of ride-hailing apps and motorcycle taxis,” the lady senator said.
“At one point, I felt less like a senator and more like the Senate’s designated crisis hotline operator,” she added.
Poe won a Senate seat in 2013 and was reelected in 2019, receiving over 20 million votes in each election.
In her 12 years in the Senate, she filed close to 700 measures, 368 of which became laws.
Poe was chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Services, Committee on Public Information, and the Committee on Banks, Financial Institutions and Currencies. She ended her term as head of the Committee on Finance, which led the deliberation of national budgets.
Among her landmark legislation are the First 1,000 Days law, National Child Feeding law, Increase in Social Pension for Indigent Seniors law, Free Funeral Services law, Free Mobile Disasters Alert Act, Public Service Act, Simulated Birth Rectification Act, and Domestic Administrative Adoption Act.
She also authored the Financial Institutions Strategic Transfer Act, Amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering Act, Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act and SIM Registration Act.
Poe’s bills also paved the way for the laws on the longer validity of passports and driver’s licenses.
At least 143 legislative franchises have been approved under her helm since 2016.
Poe said she hopes the Revised Animal Welfare Act would still make it in the final stretch of the 19th Congress.
She has also led countless Senate inquiries on various controversial issues.
“I’ve learned that keeping your cool is just as vital as keeping your facts straight – especially during marathon hearings that last so long our Mondays turn into Tuesdays and so on,” Poe said.
“My sincerest thanks to all the resource persons who braved the hot seat, survived the grilling, and somehow managed to keep us awake – maging ito man ay sa gulat o galit. To all the government agencies who I have called upon during my hearings – you are now marked safe,” she added.
Poe continued, “As I exit the Senate, I carry with me the lessons, the laughter, and the love for this country that has given me so much, even when it gave me the hardest roles to play.”
She did not miss the chance to express gratitude to her colleagues — past and present — with her thoughtful and quick-witted punchlines for each one.
She called Senator Cynthia Villar “Mama Bear Cynthia,” who has shown “Quiet Bear Mark” the ropes, referring to Senator Mark Villar.
Poe praised Senator Win Gatchalian for being the most hardworking staff of the Senate and for this, she said the Committee on Ways and Means headed by Gatchalian should be instead called Ways and Win.
“To the two sons of Joseph of San Juan, let me finally settle this: Jinggoy is Erap Classic–macho, brusque, champion of the masa against the elite; JV is Erap Plus– sleek, sharp, yet still fueled by his father’s warmth,” said Poe, referring to Senators Jinggoy Estrada and JV Ejercito, sons of former president Joseph Estrada.
Acknowledging returning Senator Panfilo Lacson, she said his “dedication to justice and security is as unwavering as his famous poker face.”
“With you around, we know the fight for a safer Philippines is in good hands,” Poe said.
She thanked Senator Joel Villanueva for his “brews, jokes and stories –and for standing with me when it truly counted.”
“I am relieved that you are still here to champion important causes that are dear to my heart, like the welfare of our public utility vehicle drivers, for I know that someone as passionate and dedicated as you will continue the fight,” Poe stressed.
She said Senator Nancy Binay’s family history is “colorful, but whose friendship has never been black or white.”
Poe added that Binay may not be too vocal, but has the most insightful grasp of issues.
“To our Super Ate, Imee Marcos, who stood as a lone voice against the tide, proving that critique is a form of love,” she said.
With Senator Raffy Tulfo, Poe said, “no problem is too small, no agency is too big. Two Tulfos will be a force to reckon with. Tulfo’s brother, Erwin, is set to join him in the Senate.
She cited Senator Risa Hontiveros for “fearlessly probing the darkest corners of government”.
“Your investigations are nothing short of popcorn-worthy and destined for the big screen,” Poe said.
Poe also recognized former colleagues, who she said made her life in the chamber “more colorful”.
“Former Senator Serge Osmeña, you are the steady hand, seasoned wisdom, and policy mentor during my early days here. Please know that your guidance helped me find my own voice and shaped my view on governance,” she said.
“Senator Ralph Recto, the Senate’s sharpest interpellate, could turn any question into another question… into another question until it turns into a full-on grilling session. You proved that being right beats being popular… though I suspect you secretly enjoyed both,” Poe added.
According to her, Senator Sonny Trillanes’ fearless stand for good governance “reminded us that sometimes standing alone is not just brave, but downright heroic.”
Poe also thanked the Senate Presidents throughout her years in the chamber — Franklin Drilon, Tito Sotto, Migz Zubiri, and Chiz Escudero.
“Tito Frank, you were the best constitutional and parliamentary mentor that I could ever wish for. Tito Sen, you are the great fiscalizer that any Congress would be lucky to have. SP Migz, the Chairman Emeritus of Charm, your charm and diplomacy continue to bridge divides,” she said.
Addressing Escudero, Poe continued, “I’ve called him many names–often behind his back. But more importantly, he’s been my kuya, confidante, and call-a-friend for over a decade. He stood by my father when no one else did, and by me when few believed.”
“Uuwi na ako para sa pinakamahal kong papel: ang maging ina at asawa.”
“Uuwi na ako para sa pinakamahal kong papel: ang maging ina at asawa. Sa mga Pilipino: maraming, maraming salamat sa inyong tiwala. Salamat sa pagkakataong makapaglingkod hindi lang bilang inyong Senador, kundi bilang inyong ina, anak, kapatid, at kaibigan,” she said.
“You gave a foundling her name, her mission, and her home. In return, I gave you my whole heart. It has been the greatest honor of my life….Bukas pa rin ang ating pahina — baka naman may plot twist pa. Sabi nga nila, abangan ang susunod na kabanata,” Poe concluded.
