Grace Poe not a natural-born Filipino —Miriam

Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago on Wednesday said Senator Grace Poe is not a natural-born citizen Filipino citizen.

In a radio interview, Santiago said her colleague has a huge problem in qualifying for the presidency, the vice presidency, or even for a seat in the Senate because candidates for such posts are required to be natural-born citizens.

"One who becomes a Filipino citizen even without undertaking any act on his part.... Ibig sabihin, isa sa magulang mo, kadugo mo, kung hindi, hindi ka natural-born Filipino," Santiago said.

Poe, a foundling, has yet to identify her biological parents. She was found at the Jaro Cathedral in 1968 and was later adopted by showbiz couple Fernando Poe Jr. and Susan Roces.

"No she's not. I'm sorry to say.... Maski ni-adopt siya, or ni-register sa Department of Social Welfare as a foster child, 'di siya natural-born," Santiago repeated when asked if she considered Poe a natural-born citizen.

Poe has repeatedly insisted that she was a natural-born Filipino citizen "based on settled applicable jurisprudence".

"But that is not the interpretation of constitutional law. 'Yun ang problema 'pag pangkaraniwan na mamamayan ay magbabasa ng constitution na wala siyang background kasi malamang ma-disappoint siya," Santiago said.

Santiago said that Poe's name could still be printed on the ballot unless the Supreme Court issues a TRO on her presidential candidacy.

Santiago is not the only presidential candidate to cast doubt on Poe's qualification to run for the presidency.

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte before filing his certificate of candidacy as a substitute presidential candidate said he was running for president because of the Senate Electoral Tribunal's decision that Poe was qualified to run for senator.

Duterte said he believed Poe was not a natural-born Filipino citizen.

Sought for comment following the Comelec Second Division's ruling canceling Poe's certificate of candidacy for president, Vice President Jejomar Binay indicated that it was an uphill climb for the senator to prove her qualification to run for president.

"Yung sa SET, question of law yun. Itong sa Comelec question of fact. In both cases eh kahit na sinong abugado tanungin nyo mahirap na mga kaso yun," said Binay, the standard-bearer of the opposition United Nationalist Alliance.

Mar Roxas, the presidential candidate of the ruling Liberal Party, said he wouldn't comment on the Second Division's decision against Poe.

"Haven't seen the decision. Wouldn't want to comment on somethjing I haven't read. Suffice to say I respect the law and the legal processes set forth," Roxas said in a statement. —Rie Takumi/NB, GMA News