Poe’s citizenship, residency ‘nonissue’ for LP

Liberal Party is unfazed by the citizenship and residency issues being thrown at Sen. Grace Poe, who is being wooed by Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II to become his running mate in the 2016 elections, according to one of the ruling party’s stalwarts.

“If we believe that, we will not be pursuing her and we are pursuing her so for us, that’s a nonissue,” Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad told reporters on Thursday at the sidelines of the League of the Provinces of the Philippines’ general assembly.

As Roxas made public his intention to run with Poe under the administration ticket, issues on the senator’s citizenship and her being a foundling were raised anew when Rizalito David filed a petition for her to be removed from office before the Senate Electoral Tribunal.

“We are pursuing her and as far as we are concerned, the issue doesn’t concern us,” Abad said.

While Poe said she was ready to meet with the secretary, Roxas in his earlier interviews said he was still waiting for her response.

Abad said the meeting should happen soon if Poe was set on accepting LP’s invitation.

Asked how long would LP be willing to wait for Poe’s decision, Abad said: “I’m as impatient as you.”

“Secretary Roxas will not tarry along and will not just simply waste time …  These are delicate negotiations and I don’t think you can rush them. Give us enough time because October is still a month or two away,” he said.

Will President Aquino join Poe and Roxas’ meeting? Abad said: “It’s a totally new game now and I think the ball is being carried by Secretary Mar so I would imagine all the initiative now will be coming from Secretary Mar, but of course in consultation with the President.”