Grace Poe: SET ruling an affirmation of citizenship

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Grace Poe on Tuesday welcomed the decision of the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) as fair and impartial in dismissing the disqualification case questioning her citizenship.

"I thank the Senate Electoral Tribunal for their impartiality in giving a fair decision... On behalf of all foundlings born and raised in the Philippines, salamat po," Poe said in a statement.

Poe, who was accused of not being a natural-born citizen as a foundling, said the ruling of the nine-member SET "sends a strong message" that the Philippines observes international law.

Poe's camp has argued that the presidential aspirant is "presumed Filipino" under international statutes despite not having identified any of her biological parents or blood relations.

"Their decision sends a strong message that the Philippines considers itself part of the global community that respects international law," she said.

"More importantly, their affirmation of my natural-born status upholds the right of all foundlings in the country to the entitlements, services and protection they deserve as full citizens of the country," she added.

Rizalito David, a defeated 2013 senatorial candidate who filed the petition against Poe, argued that the Constitution does not recognize a foundling as a natural-born citizen as the status requires at least one recognizable parent to be a citizen.

Voting 5-4, the SET decided to deny the disqualification against the Poe on Tuesday.

FULL STORY: SET junks disqualification case vs Poe