PANGASINAN, April 25 (PNA) – Independent presidential candidate Senator Grace Poe has expressed appreciation for the support extended to her by the six governors of Bicol region.

”The supports of the local leaders are very important for what we fight,” Poe told the media in an ambush media interview during her campaign sortie on Monday in Malasiqui here.

Poe was referring to the support given to her by Gov. Joey Salceda of Albay, Gov. Migz Villafuerte of Camarines Sur, Gov. Edgardo Tallado of Camarines Norte, Gov. Raul Lee of Sorsogon, Gov. Rizalina Seachon Lanete of Masbate, Gov. Arceli Wong and Vice Gov. Jose Teves of Catanduanes.

While thanking the support of the Bicol region’s top local leaders, Poe said it still the people who will decide on the election day.

”It will depend on the people. It’s really the candidate assuring the people that the platform of government is really something that will address their needs, something that will resonate to them; otherwise, no matter how good your political machinery is, if the people won’t accept your message, your platform will be meaningless,” Poe explained.

Among the platforms of government that Poe will offer for the Bicol region is the revival of the railway system; subsidy for the farmers; improved health services, free college education and intensify local industry.

”The time has come for Bicolanos to rise up from poverty,” Poe said.

Poe’s running mate Sen. Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero also got supports from Tallado, Villafuerte, Lee and Salceda.

Meanwhile, Ako Bicol partylist has expressed its full support for the decision of all six governors of the Bicol Region to support the presidency of Poe.

The partylist Rep. Rodel Batocabe said their group has already forged an alliance with all the governors of the Bicol Region to ensure the victory of Poe.

“Of the island province of Catanduanes I have forged an alliance that will ensure the victory of Grace Poe not only in the Bicol Region but in the entire nation,” Batocabe said following the declaration of the governors.

Batocabe is the spokesperson of the 40-strong Partylist Coalition which had earlier expressed their support for Poe. (PNA)