Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Presidential aspirant Sen. Grace Poe faces another bid to declare her unqualified to run for or occupy a national elective post.
Lawyer Estrella “Star” Elamparo filed on Friday (October 16) a petition asking the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to invalidate Poe’s certificate of candidacy (COC) for president in 2016.
Elamparo argued that, even if Poe could eventually prove that her biological parents were Filipinos, the fact that she gave up and then reacquired her Filipino citizenship made her not a natural-born citizen of the Philippines — which is one of the requirements for those running for president.
Poe regained her Filipino citizenship in July 2006, therefore making her a citizen of the country from that time on — and not since birth — the lawyer from Makati explained.
Elamparo also noted that, as such, Poe was also two months short of the 10-year residency requirement come May 2016.
“This case is simply about certainty that the person who will occupy the highest post in the land complies with all the requirements of the law,” Elamparo said.
Elamparo pointed out that the timing of her petition was in accordance with the law — which should be within five days after a respondent filed a COC.
She added that none of Poe’s political rivals were behind the petition and that she made the move on her own as a lawyer and tax payer.
‘ ’15’: ‘image’: ‘jcr:31d6c3eb-4d04-4146-ba3d-0e49080d3f24’ ‘imageCaption’: ‘Lawyer Estrella Elamparo said no politics was behind her 72-page petition asking Comelec to cancel or invalidate Poe’s certificate of candidacy
Last August, returning senatorial hopeful Rizalito David filed a petition at the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) and a criminal complaint at the Comelec against Poe over issues surrounding her citizenship and residency.
Related: David: I challenge Poe to prove me wrong
Related: David presents documents in Poe disqualification case
Related: Losing senatorial bet files petition to unseat Poe
Meanwhile, Poe’s lawyer, George Garcia, said such disqualification bids were expected.
“This is just the beginning and definitely will not be the last,” Garcia said in a statement. “We will fight them to the end, armed only with the law, reason and the truth.”
Related: Sen. Poe to face another disqualification case
Garcia added that Poe’s camp was aware of who was behind the “evil plans.”
For her part, Poe welcomed the new challenge to her presidential bid.
“Okay lang. Inaasahan na namin iyan para sabay-sabay na ring mapag-aralan”.
[Translation: “That’s all right. We expected that and it’s better that way so we could study all of these cases.”]
