Mary Grace Poe Llamanzares (born Mary Grace Sonora Poe on September 3, 1968) is

a Filipino philantrophist, educator, businesswoman, and politician. She held office in the Senate of
the Philippines and previously served as chairperson of the MTRCB (Movie and Television Review
and Classification Board) from 2010 to 2012. In 2013, she won the top place in the Senate elections
with over 20 million votes, ahead of Loren Legarda, who previously topped two elections.
Poe was abandoned at birth in Iloilo and was later adopted by National Artist and actor Fernando
Poe, Jr. and his wife actress Susan Roces. She initially studied at the University of the Philippines
Manila, where she majored in development studies, but moved toBoston College in Massachussetts,
United States where she finished a degree in political science. She spent much of her adult life
inFairfax, Virginia, United States, where she worked as a teacher in preschool.
She returned to the Philippines after learning that her father had died. Her father had previously ran
in a disputed presidential election won by Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2004. Following her his death,
Poe permanently resided in the Philippines. She began to pursue her father's rights over the results
of the 2004 election and to campaign against electoral fraud. In 2010, she was appointed by
Philippine President Benigno Aquino III to be the chair of the MTRCB, where she advocated for "a
progressive agenda that would promote a culture of intelligent media viewership", while at the same
time supporting the further development of the country's cinemaand television industries.
Poe launched her candidacy for a seat in the Philippine Senate in 2012, running in the 2013
senatorial election as an Independent affiliated with the Team PNoy coalition of Aquino. Although
initially faring poorly at the start, she won more votes than any of the other candidates. On
September 16, 2015, Poe declared her 2016 presidential election candidacy for President, in front of
the Bahay ng Alumni, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City.
Contents
[hide]

1Early life

2MTRCB Chair

3Senate
o

3.1Platform
4Presidential bid

4.1Residency

5Personal life

6References

7External links

Early life[edit]
Main article: Child abandonment
Mary Grace Poe was found on September 3, 1968 in Iloilo City. Her biological parents are unknown
and she was found abandoned as a baby by a woman,[2][3][4][5] allegedly in the holy water font of Jaro
Metropolitan Cathedral, the main church of the city.[5] When the infant was discovered, the parish
priest named her "Grace" in the belief that her finding was through the grace of God;[4] she was
christened by Jaime Sin, the Archbishop of Jaro and later Archbishop of Manila.[6] Although the
cathedral issued an announcement in the hopes that her biological mother would claim her,[4] no one
stepped forward. Poe was taken in by the Militar family,[7] with Sayong Militar's in-law Edgardo, who
is a signatory on the child's foundling certificate, considered as the foundling's possible father.
[6]

Sayong Militar later passed Grace on to her friend Tessie Ledesma Valencia, [3] an unmarried,

childless heiress of a wealthy sugar baron from Bacolod, Negros Occidental.[7]

Valencia was also friends with film stars Fernando Poe, Jr. and Susan Roces (real name: Jesusa
Sonora), who were newlyweds at the time; Valencia was a big fan of Roces, and the former would
bring Grace on frequent trips between Bacolod and Manila.[4] The Poes took Grace in after Valencia
decided the baby would be better off with two parents in the Philippines, than with her as a single
parent in the United States, where she was moving to.[4][7] Militar was initially hesitant in letting Poe,
Jr. and Roces adopt Grace because she was not familiar with them, having entrusted the baby to
Valencia, but was convinced by Archbishop Sin to let the couple adopt her.[5] Roces was born to a
French-American mother of Jewish descent[3] and a Filipino father of Spanish and Chinese descent.
Rocs is a member of one of the Philippines biggest clans, the Locsin family of Negros Occidental,
whose forebear Wo Sin Lok, a peddler from Amoy, had himself baptised into the Catholic Church as
Agustn Locsin and married Cecilia Sayson of Molo.[4]
Poe was later legally adopted by the couple after further efforts to search for her biological parents
failed,[7] and she attended elementary school at Saint Paul College of Pasigand Saint Paul College of
Makati.[8]
Controversy surrounds the identity of her birth parents, with a persistent urban legend stating Poe to
be the daughter of former President Ferdinand Marcos, allegedly as Mary Grace Sonora Marcos,
[9]

from an affair with Rosemarie Sonora, Roces' sister and a former movie star.[10]

Poe grew up in the shadow of her parents, with her father starring in several action films throughout
the 1970s, and her mother also being regarded as an accomplished actress in her own right. [11] She
grew up watching her father from the sets of his movieseven playing minor roles in some of them,
[4]

such as the daughter of Paquito Diaz's character inDurugin si Totoy Bato ("Crush Totoy Bato"), and

as a street child in Dugo ng Bayan ("Blood of the Nation").[12][13] Although she contemplated becoming

an actress throughout her childhood, her father wished that she finish her studies first before
entering the entertainment industry.[12] Ultimately, Poe did not enter show business: in an interview
with People Asia, she recalls that "Even if I aspired to be in showbiz, I felt physically (inadequate)
being compared to [my parents]."[13][14]
In 1982, Poe transferred to Assumption College San Lorenzo for high school, where she competed
in a number of oratorical contests and was captain of the school's debating team in her senior year.
[13]

By the time she graduated from Assumption in 1986, she decided instead to pursue public service

in order to set a different career path for herself, as well as to avoid being compared to her parents.
[12]

Following high school, Poe entered the University of the Philippines Manila (UP), where she majored
in development studies. While at UP, she served in the student council as a class representative for
the two years she was there. She later decided to continue her undergraduate studies abroad both
to experience and prove her independence,[8] and as a form of silent rebellion in order to avoid the
possibility of shaming her parents.[12]
She transferred to Boston College, where she graduated with a degree in political science in 1991.
While at Boston College, she co-founded the school's Filipino Cultural Club and served as an intern
for the campaign of William Weld in the 1990 Massachusetts gubernatorial election.[13]
After graduating, Poe continued to reside in the United States, living a quiet life with her family
in Fairfax, Virginia. In 1995, she was hired by the Montessori School of Cedar Lane, a local school
where she worked for three years as a preschool teacher. She then served as a procurement liaison
with the United States Geological Survey in 1998, where she worked for a year. In 2001, she was
hired as a product manager with CSC Scientific, a local company specializing in the production of
scientific equipment, where she stayed until 2004.[13]
In 2003, Fernando Poe, Jr. announced that he was entering politics, running for President of the
Philippines in the upcoming election under the Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP) against
then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Poe returned to the Philippines to help him campaign, but
returned to the United States afterward.[4] However, as Fernando Poe, Jr. was rushed to the hospital
after a stroke later that year,[15] she immediately returned to the Philippines, only to arrive after her
father died on December 14, 2004.[4][16]
Following her father's death, Poe and her family decided to permanently return to the Philippines in
order to be with her widowed mother.[4][13] In 2005, she was made Vice President and Treasurer of her
father's film production company, FPJ Productions, and was put in charge of maintaining the
company's archive of over 200 films,[13] reportedly one of the best in the Philippines in terms of the
number of films preserved.[12] At the same time, she began getting involved in politics herself,
particularly after allegations arose that her father's loss was caused by electoral fraud committed by
the Arroyo administration. In the 2010 general election, Poe served as a convenor of Kontra Daya,

[13]

a poll watchdog organized to prevent electoral fraud, and spoke publicly about wanting to prevent

further cheating in the elections like the way her father was allegedly cheated in 2004. [17] She also
became honorary chairperson of the FPJ for President Movement (FPJPM), the group which was
organized to pressure her father to run in 2004, continuing the movement's social relief programs for
the less fortunate.[13]

MTRCB Chair[edit]

Grace Poe at a Senate budget hearing in September 2012, presenting the MTRCB's proposed budget for
2013.

On October 10, 2010, President Benigno Aquino III appointed Poe to serve as chairwoman of
the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), succeeding outgoing
chairwoman Ma. Consoliza Laguardia,[18] who was appointed to the position in 2003. The
appointment came as a surprise to Poe, having learned of her appointment while vacationing with
her mother in California only two days before the formal announcement was made. [13] She was sworn
in on October 21, 2010 at the Malacaang Palace, and was later reappointed by President Aquino
for another term on October 23, 2011.[19] She continued to serve until October 2, 2012, when she filed
her candidacy for senator.
While at the MTRCB, Poe had advocated for a "progressive" agency which would have enabled the
television and film industries to help the Philippine economy,[20] with her tenure being marked by an
emphasis on diplomacy.[21] At the beginning of her term, Poe instigated the implementation of a new
ratings system for television programs,[22] which she said was "designed to empower parents to
exercise caution and vigilance with the viewing habits of their children". [23] This was complemented by
the implementation of a new ratings system for moviesa system which hews closely to the new
television ratings systemat the end of her term.[24] The MTRCB under Poe's tenure also
implemented policies and programs to promote "intelligent viewing", [25] such as promulgating the
implementing rules and regulations for the Children's Television Act of 1997 some fifteen years after
its passage,[26] and enforcing restrictions on the type of viewing material that can be shown on public
buses.[27]Despite this thrust, Poe has spoken out against restrictions on freedom of expression,
[28]

preferring self-regulation to censorship.[13]

The MTRCB under Poe's tenure has also encouraged the creation of new cinematic output through
the reduction of review fees despite cuts to its budget, [23][29] and has promoted the welfare of child and
female actors.[30][31]

Senate[edit]
Although Poe was rumored to be running for an elective position as early as 2010, [32] it was not
confirmed that she would stand for election until October 1, 2012, when President Aquino
announced that she was selected by the administration Team PNoy coalition as a member of their
senatorial slate.[33] Poe filed her certificate of candidacy the next day on October 2, 2012. [34] Although
running under the banner of the Team PNoy coalition, Poe is officially running as an independent.
[33]

Poe is also a guest candidate of the left-leaning Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan.[35] Until

February 21, 2013,[36] Poe was, along with Senators Loren Legarda and Francis Escudero, one of
three common guest candidates of the opposition United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) of VicePresident Jejomar Binay.[34]
Analysts have noted the rapid rise of Poe in national election surveys, which community organizer
Harvey Keh attributed to popular sympathy for her father,[37] fueled in part by high public trust in the
Poe name.[38] Prior to the start of the election season, Poe was ranked twenty-eighth in a preliminary
survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations(SWS) in mid-2012, before the start of the filing
period.[39] Immediately after filing her candidacy, Poe initially ranked fifteenth in the first survey of the
election, published by StratPOLLS.[40] While she has ranked as low as twentieth in a survey
published by SWS later in the year, she entered the top 12 in January 2013, [41] where she has stayed
since then. In the last survey issued by Pulse Asia in April, she was ranked third.[42]
While Poe herself has admitted that her biggest strength in the campaign is her surname, she has
also conceded that it would be insufficient for her to be elected simply on that alone, emphasizing
that her platform is just as important as her name in getting her elected to the Senate. [38] She has
also dismissed claims that her candidacy is her family's revenge against her father's loss in 2004,
saying that all she wants to do is serve should she be elected to the Senate. [37]
A day after the election, Poe became a senator-elect when the results from the PCOS machines
emerged.[43] She was officially proclaimed a senator by the COMELEC board on May 2013, along
with fellow Team PNoy candidates Chiz Escudero, Sonny Angara, Alan Peter Cayetano, and Loren
Legarda, as well United Nationalist Alliance candidate Nancy Binay (who did not attend, opting
instead to send her lawyer to represent her).[44]
In 2015, she led the legislature's investigations into the Mamasapano clash, which left 44 security
force members dead.[45]

Platform[edit]
Further information: Team PNoy and Partido ng Galing at Puso

In the 2013 elections, Poe ran on an eleven-point platform focused on poverty alleviation, youth
opportunity and electoral reform,[46] promising to continue the legacy of her father.[25]
Her labor legislative agenda also includes more opportunities, skill development and growth for
Filipino workers, employment security for the disabled and handicapped, and protection of workers
in the informal sector.[47]
Specific policies she advocated in the course of her campaign include reviving the national
elementary school lunch program first introduced during Marcos Era,[48] the installation of closedcircuit television cameras in government offices,[49] and stricter penalties against child pornography,
[37]

continuing her earlier advocacy during her time at the MTRCB. In addition, she has also

advocated against Internet censorship.[38]

Poe also stresses the importance of female participation in government, having already filed a
number of legislations for the betterment of women and children in her term of office; she has also
called for an investigation on the proliferation of cybersex dens that prey on children and women,
and an inquiry on the condition of women detainees and prisoners.
"Effective leadership can be gleaned not just from the progress of a few but the advancement of the
majority, especially of those who find themselves in the fringes," Poe said during a speech delivered
at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) on May 28, 2015. This was attended mostly
by female leaders and entrepreneurs. "It is important for women to have genuine meaningful
participation in public affairs. Women leaders have an invaluable take on issues of public interest." [50]
Grace Poe is against same-sex marriage.[51]

Presidential bid[edit]
Main article: Grace Poe presidential campaign, 2016

I am Grace Poe. A Filipino. A daughter, wife and mother. And with God's

Grace Poe's ending remarks of her speech during her announcement last September 16, 2015. [52]

She is widely speculated to be a potential presidential or vice presidential candidate in the 2016
general elections (and thus seen as the closest competitor to Vice PresidentJejomar Binay's own
presidential aspirations)[53][54][55][56][57] with possible running mates such as Rep. Leni Robredo[58] and
Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago.[59][60][61]

Poe placed first on a presidential preference poll issued by Pulse Asia In June 2015 with a rating of
30%, outranking previous front runner Vice President Jejomar Binay, who had a 22% rating.[62][63] She
also placed first in the vice-presidential poll, with a 41% preference nationwide. [62][64]
In anew opinion survey issued by Social Weather Stations (SWS) in June 2015, Poe also placed
first, with a 42% preference.[65] She also placed first in SWS' vice-presidential poll, with a 41% rating.
[66]

On September 16, 2015, Poe finally declared her presidential bid, in front of hundreds of supporters,
family and friends at the Bahay ng Alumni, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City. On
September 17, 2015, Senator Chiz Escudero declared he will be the running mate of Poe, decided
to run for the position of Vice President under the newly coalition of Partido Pilipinas.
In a decision by the Comelec's second division issued on December 1, 2015, Poe was disqualified
as candidate in the 2016 presidential elections due to failing to meet the 10-year standard
requirement for residency.[67] Under Comelec rules, the party or coalition supporting her may file a
substitute before December 10, 2015.[68]

Residency[edit]
Main article: David v. Poe
In June 2015, United Nations Alliance (UNA) interim president and Navotas City
Representative Toby Tiangco claimed that Poe lacks the 10-year residency requirement for a
presidential candidate. Poe had previously been working in the United States after finishing her
graduate studies there, and only returned to the Philippines after her father's death in 2004. She
then revoked her US citizenship to assume the role of chairperson of the MTRCB in 2010. [69][70][71]
The controversy arose due to Poe's certificate of candidacy (COC) for senator in 2012 for the
2013 Philippine Senate Elections, in which she had stated that she had been a resident of the
Philippines for six years and six months. It was argued that it might have been a mistake, but Atty.
Raymond Fortun argued that she had to prove it otherwise.[70]Tiangco stated that even during the
time of the 2016 Presidential Elections, Poe would still be six months short of the residency
requirement.[71]
On November 17, 2015 the Senate Electoral Tribunal opted to drop the cases against her implying
that she is a natural-born Filipino and is qualified to become president, with her political rivals Bam
Aquino and Pia Cayetano, as well as her political allies Loren Legarda, Tito Sotto, and Cynthia Villar,
voting in her favor.[72]

Personal life[edit]

Grace Poe-Llamanzares and her family posing with President Benigno Aquino III at her oathtaking as MTRCB
chairwoman in 2010.

Poe has two adoptive half-siblings through her father Fernando Poe Jr.: Ronian, born to actress Ana
Marin;[73] and Lourdes Virginia(Lovi), born to model Rowena Moran.[74][75] Although she did not grow up
with her half-siblings, even admitting that she met Lovi for the first time only after their father died,
[76]

she has known of them while growing up, and they respect each other despite not being close to

one another.[77]
Poe is as an avid reader:[78] she has read all the books of David Baldacci, who she describes as her
favorite author,[13] but she has also read books from a wide variety of genres and authors. [78] She is
also an avid film aficionado, watching all kinds of movies but with a particular affinity for action films,
conspiracy movies, movies starring her father,[13] and movies with happy endings.[79] Poe is a tennis
player and also has a black belt in taekwondo,[80] having competed in tournaments while in high
school.[4]
Poe met Teodoro Misael "Neil" Llamanzares In her senior year of high school. [4] The two started
dating thereafter, and married five years later on July 27, 1991, immediately after Poe graduated
from Boston College at the age of 22.[8] The marriage went against the wishes of her father, who
wanted her to have a career first before marrying. [12] Poe gave birth to her only son, Brian, who
worked as a reporter for CNN Philippines,[8] on April 16, 1992, and later gave birth to two daughters:
Hanna in 1998, and Nikka in 2004.[8][81]