Grace Poe dismisses talks she's replacing DTI's Pascual
Senator Grace Poe on Thursday, August 1 dismissed speculations she would be replacing outgoing Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual who will step down from his post effective Friday.

Following Pascual’s resignation, Poe’s name cropped up as his possible replacement.
“Hindi totoo na ako ay kinausap ukol dito. Tinututukan ko ang aking trabaho sa Senado upang masiguro na maging maayos ang mga pagdinig sa budget bilang chairman ng finance committee (It’s not true that this was discussed to me. I’m focusing on my work in the Senate to ensure that the upcoming budget deliberations would be orderly as chairman of the finance committee),” Poe said in a statement.
The Senate Finance Committee chief said the panel is now starting to go over the proposed P6.352-trillion national budget for 2025.
Poe replaced Sen. Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara as head of the finance panel after members of the Upper Chamber voted Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero as the new Senate President.
President Marcos eventually declared Angara as the new head of the Department of Education (DepEd) after Vice President Sara Duterte resigned from the post.
“Napakahalaga na ang mga pondong ilalaan sa susunod na taon ay tunay na makakatulong pagaanin ang buhay ng ating mga kababayan at hindi mawawaldas o masasayang ang kaban ng bayan (It’s very important that the funds that will be allocated next year will truly help ease the lives of our countrymen and that the public treasury will not be wasted or wasted),” she said.
Asked if she is open to consider a position as DTI chief, Poe said it would be a privilege but would rather focus on her work in the Senate at this point in time.
“Sa anumang paraan ako makakatulong ay pribelehiyo pero nais kong tutukan ang trabaho ko sa Senado (Any way I can help is a privilege but I want to focus on my work in the Senate),” she said.