Despite her persistent citizenship woes, presidential aspirant Sen. Grace Poe is confident the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) won’t forsake her.
“I’m confident that most of their members understand and support our platform and vision,” Poe said in a chance interview when asked if she believed the NPC would continue supporting her Palace bid.
Poe, who is running as an independent presidential candidate, added with the same measure of confidence: “Of course we can’t take away the fact that a lot of them have been with me for a long time.”
Stalwarts of the Danding Cojuangco-led NPC declared their support for foundling Poe’s candidacy months ago, even when it was a given that some factions would challenge her status as a natural-born Filipino citizen.
Natural-born Filipino citizenship is a Constitutional requirement to become Philippine President.
The Commission on Elections is challenging Poe’s candidacy before the Supreme Court after it ruled last month that Poe wasn’t eligible due to her questionable citizenship.
Meanwhile, the 47-year-old senator also didn’t show any sign of insecurity with regards to a presidential rival, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s meeting with the NPC—the country’s second largest political party.
Hearing other candidates’ platform and policies is normal for the NPC, Poe said.
“That will serve them better in their decision-making since it will be based not on mere reconciliation but on the leadership and other capabilities of the candidate,” she said.