Tiangco apologizes for ‘causing damage’ to relationship of Grace Poe, Binays

Navotas City Representative and United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) interim president Toby Tiangco apologized Friday to senator Grace Poe and the family of Vice President Jejomar Binay for driving a wedge between the two factions.

“I apologize for having caused damage to the friendship of the Poe and Binay families,” Tiangco said in a statement sent to reporters.

He said he would follow the advice of Makati Representative Abigail Binay “to stop speaking on the matter as this is an issue for the proper courts to decide.”

On Tuesday, Tiangco said Poe is not qualified to run as President or Vice President in the 2016 elections because she fails to meet the 10-year residency issue required for the positions.

READ: Grace Poe lacks residency, not qualified to run for president or VP – solon

He said Poe’s certificate of candidacy for senator in 2013 showed her residency in the country was at six years and six months prior to the May 2013 elections.

Poe, however, said she has been in the country since 2005.

READ: Grace Poe: I’m qualified

On Thursday, Representative Binay, in a press briefing, called for an end to the word war between UNA and Poe.

READ: Abigail Binay: Stop word war with Poe

She said that the high court would be the proper venue to decide on Poe’s citizenship and eligibility to run for higher position in 2016. IDL

Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco. FILE PHOTO