Palace denies influencing Carpio in Poe's SET case

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang denied Tuesday that it influenced Supreme Court (SC) Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, who said that Sen. Grace Poe is a naturalized citizen and not qualified for an electoral post.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said that independent government officials comprise the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) hearing Poe's disqualification case, chaired by Carpio.

"Ang prosesong nagaganap ngayon ay proseso ng Senate Electoral Tribunal at ito ay binubuo ng mga mahistrado ng Korte Suprema at mga halal na senador. Binubuo ito ng mga kinatawan ng hudikatura at lehislatura," Coloma said in a press briefing.

"At sa ilalim ng ating prosesong pampamahalaan, ito ay dalawang hiwalay at kapantay na sangay ng ehekutibo," he added.

During Monday's oral argument on the disqualification case filed by Rizalito David against Poe, Carpio cited the principle of jus sanguini (right of blood) under the Constitution.

The said principle requires either of Poe's parents to be a Filipino citizen for her to be considered natural-born.

"To be natural-born, you must show blood relation," Carpio said.

READ: Poe a naturalized Pinoy – Carpio

He said international conventions of which the Philippines is a signatory allowed foundlings in the country like Poe to be Filipino citizens, which is considered naturalization of citizenship.

"That's when you grant passport to foundling. That gives a foundling citizenship, which is naturalized citizenship – not natural-born… Senator Poe is at least a citizen of the Philippines," Carpio said.

SC Associate Justice Arturo Brion, another member of the SET, agreed with Carpio's argument.

"Because Poe's parents are unknown, she must now prove that (they are Filipinos)," Brion said.