Grace Poe inherited FPJ’s citizenship –election lawyer

Being an adopted daughter, Senator Grace Poe inherited the citizenship of her adoptive father, the late actor Fernando Poe, Jr., election lawyer Romulo Macalintal said in a "24 Oras" report Thursday.

Macalintal argued that Poe, born under the 1935 Constitution, is considered a citizen of the Philippines based on Article IV, Section 1, which classifies citizens as "those whose fathers are citizens of the Philippines."

"Wala naman sinabing hindi maituturing na ama ang isang adoptive father," Macalintal said.

Poe was found abandoned as an infant at the Jaro Cathedral in Iloilo almost 50 years ago. She was adopted by FPJ and his wife, actress Susan Roces.

FPJ himself faced a similar issue at the height of the 2004 presidential elections. The Supreme Court ruled against the petitioners who argued that the actor is not a natural-born Filipino citizen because he was an illegitimate child.

If Senator Poe decides to run as president in the 2016 elections and wins, she will be the first foundling to become chief executive, the report said.

Former University of the Philippines (UP) law dean Pacifico Agabin however questioned if the identity of Poe's biological parents are unknown to her or it was just undocumented.

Agabin said it was important for Poe to find her biological parents to settle the issue of citizenship raised against her.

Former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Sixto Brillantes, FPJ's election lawyer, meanwhile argued that citizenship is based on the principle of jus sanguinis (Latin: “right of blood”) wherein one can be considered a natural-born Filipino if one of his or her parents is Filipino.

Brillantes also said that whoever dares to use the citizenship issue against Poe in time for the 2016 elections has the burden of proof.

Poe earlier slammed critics for discriminating her as a foundling.

“Ibig bang sabihin nila na ang isang bata na pinulot ay hindi na pwedeng mangarap na manilbihan sa isang mataas na posisyun at walang karapatan ng parehong oportunidad sa iba?” she said. —Kathrina Charmaine Alvarez/KBK, GMA News