Presidential aspirant Senator Grace Poe is flanked by her mother actress Susan Roces and running mate Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero as they await the start of the oral arguments on the disqualification cases filed against her. TETCH TORRES-TUPAS/INQUIRER.net
Senator Grace Poe is hoping that her case will be decided in the same manner as the citizenship case of her father, Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ) in 2004.
Her father’s citizenship was also questioned when he decided to run for President.
The high court, in March 2004 said FPJ is a natural-born Filipino citizen under the terms of the 1935 Constitution.
“Syempre meron konting pagkakapareho dahil ‘yung tatay ko, ‘yan din ang naging balakid sa kanyang pagtakbo…Ngayon, sa pagsalang ko dito sa Korte Suprema, ito ay kasama ng proseso, ako ay umaasa na katulad ng hustisya na ibinigay nila kay FPJ noon ay mapapasaatin din ‘yan kaya ako ay patuloy na nananalangin,” Poe told reporters.
(Of course, there are some similarities, because my father’s citizenship was also used as an obstacle to his presidential aspiration. Now, as I plead my case to the Supreme Court, this is part of the process. I am hoping that the justice given to my father FPJ, will be the same justice given to me–I am fervently praying.)
READ: Poe positive law will favor her, abused Filipinos
Poe admitted that while she is nervous, she is not afraid because “we are truthful in our statements.”
She expressed confidence that the law will favor her.
“Matibay ang pananalig natin na kakatigan tayo ng batas sa ipinaglalaban nating karapatan ng mga inabandonang bata. Hindi ko kasi matanggap ang sinasabi ng ilan na ang isang foundling ay ituturing na stateless o walang nasyonalidad pagkapanganak. Responsibilidad ng batas na proteksyunan ang karapatan ng mga mahina at walang laban,” said Poe.
(I am confident the law is on our side in our fight for the right of abandoned children. I cannot accept the view of others who think that foundlings are stateless or without nationality when there born. It is the law’s responsibility to protect the right of the weak and the powerless.)
The high court will conduct its oral argument on the consolidated petitions of Poe against the Commission on Elections (Comelec) decision ordering the cancellation of certificate of candidacy for presidency.
LIVESTREAM: SC oral arguments on Grace Poe vs Comelec
The Comelec en banc in two separate rulings affirmed the decision of its First Division ordering the cancellation of her COC based on questions to her citizenship and residency raised by former Senator Francisco Tatad, Law Professor Antonio Contreras and former Dean of the University of the East College of Law Amado Valdez.
It also affirmed the decision of its Second Division that granted the petition filed by Atty. Estrella Elamparo which sought the cancellation of Poe’s COC on the ground of her failure to meet the constitutional requirement of a 10-year residency for presidential aspirants.
The high court has already set a guide on matters to be tackled during the oral argument including where Poe has committed material misrepresentation under the Omnibus Election Code and Comelec rules when she stated in her COC that she is a natural-born Filipino citizen and when she stated in her COC that her period of residency up to the day before the May 9, 2016 elections is 10 years and 11 months.
There are also sub-issues to be discussed during the oral argument as indicated in the Supreme Court guidelines as well as procedural matters.
Poe’s camp will present their arguments first. IDL