Poe says SC ruling affirms right to run for higher office

SORSOGON CITY, Philippines – Sen. Grace Poe heard of the Supreme Court (SC)’s final ruling that allows her to run for president while she was campaigning in this province, the bailiwick of her runningmate, Sen. Chiz Escudero.

She said that the SC ruling affirmed her arguments on her right as a Filipino to run for higher office.

“The Supreme Court was right. We are thankful to them for giving us justice,” Poe told journalists after the campaign rally yesterday.

“I believe that the Filipinos are scrutinizing well all the candidates’ platform of governance and their character as well. There had been restraints, but we managed to break free from them. Now we can continue with our campaign,” she added.

Since the high court did not take up Poe’s citizenship, the matter can be raised before the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) if she wins the elections. 

Poe is confident that she can hurdle the same case at the PET, noting the strength of her arguments on her citizenship that was presented before the SC.

“The Supreme Court has spoken. I believe the decision is strong and can withstand any challenge that will be raised before the PET,” she said. 

Nothing to hide 

Poe said her life is an open book and that she had nothing to hide as a presidential aspirant.

She was reacting to the challenge of Liberal Party standard-bearer Manuel Roxas II, who dared his rivals to reveal to the electorate the truth about themselves.

Poe said she has been forthright on every issue raised against her, including matters related to her family.

Roxas revealed that Poe’s husband, Neil Llamanzares, once served as an American soldier. He said that Poe did not disclose this information when she was still an administration ally.

Poe countered that her husband’s situation is no different from that of former President Fidel Ramos, who graduated from the US Military Academy, as well as Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, who studied at the US Naval Academy. – With Ghio Ong