The question on the citizenship of Senator Grace Poe has been answered by the Supreme Court with its latest ruling that she is a natural-born Filipino.
The Philippine Supreme Court (SC) dismissed the petition for certiorari that was filed by Rizalito David, asking for Senator Grace Poe’s removal from the Philippine Senate because of the issue on her citizenship, claiming she is not a natural-born Filipino.
The Supreme Court emphasized that Poe is a natural-born Filipino citizen and is qualified to serve as a lawmaker in the country.
In a vote of 9-3, the Supreme Court strengthened the initial decision of the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) in the quo warranto case filed by David who believed that being a foundling, Poe’s citizenship is questionable and is not qualified to remain as a senator.
According to the SC, there was no grave abuse of discretion on the part of the SET in its ruling dated November 17, 2015 and December 3, 2015 declaring Senator Poe as a natural-born Filipino citizen.
The high court cited as basis in its decision the presumption that all foundlings found inside the Philippines has a parent – a mother or a father – who is a Filipino.
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