POE: MORE PRISON CELLS FOR CORRUPT IN GOV'T

CEBU CITY--Leading presidential contender Sen. Grace Poe will have a special place for corrupt people in government--brand-new prison cells.

At the close of the second presidential debate, Poe noted that corruption remained one of the biggest problems in government, hindering the fight against poverty.

"Kailangan ay ayusin natin ang ating sistema; ang korapsyon ay kailangan masugpo. Bilang pangulo, ako mismo ang pipirma. Kailangan mabilis at may determinasyon na hindi kasama ang aking pamilya o ako pa man sa anumang transaksyon o kontrata sa gobyerno," she said.

Poe, the lone independent presidential aspirant, said her political allies and supporters would also not be spared from the hand of justice, if proven to be corrupt.

"Dadamihan ko ang mga preso, kung saan ang mga tiwali sa gobyerno ay ilalagay ko mismo doon. Kaibigan man o kaalyado," Poe said. "Kasi 'yan talaga ang problema natin. Hanggang ngayon nandiyan pa rin ang corrupt at sila ay nasa puwesto. Dapat makulong, masentensyahan."

The senator also said she would appoint a highly respected and seasoned soldier, Marine Col. Ariel Querubin, as crime czar to lead the government's fight against drugs and crime.

"'Yung mga iba ay nagdududa kung kaya ko bang labanan ang drugs, kaya bilang isang pangulo na maraming inaasikaso, kailangan may mapagkakatiwalaang crime czar," she said.

Under her "Gobyernong may Puso," Poe said she would not only provide security but also create opportunities for the poor.

"Sa buong bansa, marami pong kailangang gawin. Twenty-five million po ng ating mga kababayan ay pareho pa ring naghihirap at mababa sa P330 ang kinikita sa isang araw. Fifteen million pa rin ng ating mga kababayan ang nagugutom," she said.

In her campaign sorties, Poe has promised to allocate up to P40 billion so the government can provide free lunch to children in public elementary schools. She also said she would give free education to indigent students, especially children of farmers and fisherfolk.