Poe: I’m a Filipino and qualified to run for president

“Undaunted” by the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) decision, Senator Grace Poe insisted on Wednesday that she is qualified to run for president in 2016.

“I was not surprised with decision of the Comelec en banc. It was expected and I remain undaunted by it,” Poe said in a statement.

“I am a Filipino and qualified to offer myself as President of our country. The Comelec cannot change that much less deprive our people of their right to choose our next leader,” she said.

Poe was reacting to the Comelec en banc’s decision, upholding its first and second division’s ruling to disqualify her from the race over her citizenship and residency.

READ: Comelec en banc upholds Poe disqualification ruling

Despite the en banc’s decision, the senator reiterated that she remains a candidate for president. She said the “next and final battleground” is in the Supreme Court.

“We will follow the process and the next and final battleground is in the Supreme Court. I am hopeful and confident that our magistrates, based on jurisprudence and precedents, will be objective and fair in their discernment of my case and, in the end, will let the Filipino people decide who our next president will be,” said Poe.

“Until the high tribunal’s final ruling is out, I remain a candidate for President of the Filipino people,” she further said. CDG

READ: Poe thankful for topping SWS poll