Poe camp: Carpio's argument 'erroneous'

MANILA, Philippines — The camp of Sen. Grace Poe on Tuesday insisted that Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio's line of questioning pertaining to the law is "erroneous."

During the oral arguments on the disqualification case filed against Poe on Monday, Carpio said that the senator is likely not a natural-born citizen but a naturalized Filipino.

Carpio cited the principle of "right of blood" under the Constitution which requires either of Poe's parents should be a Filipino citizen for her to be considered natural-born.

LISTEN: Poe a naturalized citizen, argues Justice Carpio

Poe's lawyer, George Garcia, contradicted Carpio's pronouncement, citing international law.

"Medyo we do not agree with that contention dahil nga sa maliwanag kasi ang international law and there is no presumption," Garcia told members of the press during an interview on Monday.

Garcia explained that the presumption under the law is that Poe is a citizen of the Philippines where she was discovered as a foundling.

Poe's legal counsel added that the senator did not undergo a naturalization process.

"So dapat babagsak kami sa presumption ng law na either number four ang tatay mo ay Filipino or number five ang nanay mo Filipina," Garcia said.

The senator's camp also revealed that Poe is "in the process" of conducting a DNA test to prove her citizenship.

"Siyempre kapag nilabas na ito maaaring positibo o negatibo.  Basta para sa amin, ginagawa namin ang lahat para naman malaman ng ating mga hukom na hangga’t maaari ay ginagawa namin yung sa aming panig," Poe said.