Signing of Foundling law ‘a victory for both adopted children, parents,’ says Poe

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Grace Poe lauded the signing of the Foundling Recognition and Protection Act into law on Tuesday, marking it as a “victory for both the adopted children and the adopting parent.”

“As I have said before, this is a victory for both the adopted children and the adopting parents. May it provide them with the peace of mind and closure that some of them seek until this very day,” said Poe.

“May it also remind them that regardless of where they came from, they are just as important and worthy as anybody else,” she added.

Poe said this in a statement after recounting her experiences as a foundling herself — as the adopted daughter of the late actor Fernando Poe Jr. and actress Susan Roces.

“It would be untruthful to say that the law was not informed by my experiences when I ran for the presidency in 2016. As a matter of fact, it is exactly my experiences in that period that opened my eyes to the necessity of the law,” said Poe.

Poe said she experienced firsthand how foundlings were subjected to “undue scrutiny for something that is completely outside their control.”

“Such unfair treatment has made me realize that ample safeguards must be institutionalized to protect them from future attacks and declare, once and for all, that they are Filipinos who must be accorded with the same rights and privileges that are granted upon their fellow countrymen,” she said.

The Foundling Recognition and Protection Act seeks to establish the right of a foundling to government programs and services, such as registration, facilitation of documents for adoption, education, protection, nourishment, care, among others.

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