Poe to ask Guimaras family to undergo DNA test with her

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Sen. Grace Poe plans to ask  a family on Guimaras Island, claiming to be her biological family, to undergo DNA testing to determine their relation.

“I just learned that I am supposed to have an aunt in Guimaras. I will be happy if that will turn out to be true,” she told reporters on the sidelines of Senate inquiry on an attempted break-in at a radio station in Iloilo City by an alleged drug lord.

She said he has not talked to her supposed aunt, identified as Lorena Rodriguez-De Chavez and her two supposed sisters.

“We have not talked. If there was a basis for this, I would want them to undergo DNA testing if they will allow it,” Poe said.

Poe was reportedly abandoned and later found in the baptismal font of the Jaro Cathedral in Iloilo City in 1968.

Reached by the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Dechavez said they could undergo the test “any time.”

Dechavez said they have long known that Poe was the biological daughter of her sister Victoria, the eldest of 12 siblings.

Victoria died in 1996 of a heart attack.

She said Poe was brought from their home in Buenavista town in Guimaras to Jaro District in Iloilo for adoption.

“We have been silent all this time because she was doing well. But we came out to defend and help her because her candidacy has been questioned,” she said.

Poe said it would a big help if Dechavez turned out to be her aunt, considering the length of time she has been looking for her biological family.

“I noticed that we have the same forehead. But there are many Ilonggos, which have the same forehead as I do,” the senator said in jest.

Questions on Poe’s biological roots have been used as basis for cases questioning her qualification to run for President in next year’s elections.

Poe has filed a motion for reconsideration on the decision of the First Division of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) disqualifying her as a presidential candidate. But she said she was not expecting the division to rule in her favor.

“I know that this quest will not be easy. I’am ready. From what I see, it appears doubtful if the Comelec will decide in our favor. Let us just wait. Poe said she would consider calling for the inhibition of Supreme Court Associate Justices Jose Catral Mendoza and Bienvenido Reyes who were reportedly linked to Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, also a presidential candidate.

“I will be very honest with you. I have only seen the report of the Inquirer. At this point, I will not personally call for their inhibition because this just came out (Wednesday) and the lawyers are also studying the matter as to the extent of their involvement…,” she said.  SFM