Poe crosses party lines to endorse Sotto, Aquino, and Cayetano

The FPJ Panday Bayanihan Partylist held its grand rally on Sunday, 16 February 2025, in San Carlos, Pangasinan, the hometown of film legend Fernando Poe Jr. The event was led by the party-list’s first nominee, Brian Poe Llamanzares, son of Senator Grace Poe.

The rally saw the attendance of 2025 senatorial candidates Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Pia Cayetano, and Bam Aquino, who expressed their support for the party-list. In turn, Sen. Grace Poe endorsed their candidacies, highlighting their history in the Senate. She recalled how Sotto, Cayetano, and Aquino stood by her during the controversy surrounding her nationality, defending her right to hold office.

Sen. Grace Poe’s background has long been a subject of public interest. Found as an abandoned infant in a church in Iloilo, she was named "Grace" by the parish priest who believed her discovery was an act of divine intervention. Christened by Jaime Sin, the Archbishop of Jaro, who later became Archbishop of Manila, she was taken in by the Militar family before being passed to Tessie Ledesma Valencia, a childless heiress from Bacolod. Valencia, a friend of Fernando Poe Jr. and Susan Roces, later entrusted Grace to the couple, believing she would have a better life with two parents in the Philippines.

Despite their differing political affiliations, she emphasized that integrity should transcend party lines.

“We come from different political backgrounds, but politics does not matter when you are fighting for the truth,” she stated in Filipino.

Renowned film star Coco Martin, who played the iconic role of Panday — originally portrayed by Fernando Poe Jr. — also attended the event, showing his support for the party-list.

The event was also graced by San Carlos Mayor Ayoy Resuello and Vice Mayor Bogs Resuello. Adding to the lively atmosphere, renowned OPM band Itchyworms delivered a special performance, further energizing the crowd.