Poe quashes speculation she’s taking DTI post

Sen. Grace Poe, during Monday’s hearing of the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, on July 29, 2024, asks the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) the steps it has taken to continue with the transition of eliminating all the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations in the country. (Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau)

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Grace Poe on Thursday dismissed speculations she would replace outgoing Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual.

Effective Friday, Pascual will step down from his post to return to the private sector, Malacañang announced on Wednesday.

Following the resignation, Poe’s name emerged as one of Pascual’s possible replacements. She quickly quashed this speculation.

“Hindi totoo na ako ay kinausap ukol dito,” she said in a text message to reporters.

(It’s not true that this was discussed with me.)

Asked if she is open to consider the DTI post, the senator said: “Sa anumang paraan ako makakatulong ay pribelehiyo pero nais kong tutukan ang trabaho ko sa Senado.”

(It’s a privilege to help in any way but I want to focus on my work in the Senate.)

As the new head of the Senate committee on finance, Poe said she is focused on ensuring the budget hearings go smoothly.

Her committee will discuss the proposed P6.352-trillion national budget for 2025 on Aug. 13.

“Napakahalaga na ang mga pondong ilalaan sa susunod na taon ay tunay na makakatulong paga-anin ang buhay ng ating mga kababayan at hindi mawawaldas o masasayang ang kaban ng bayan,” she added.

(It is crucial that the funds allocated for the coming year genuinely help ease the lives of our fellow citizens and that they are not wasted or squandered.)

Poe’s second and last term in the Senate will end in June 2025.