Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, considered as one of the most popular senator in the Philippines and a candidate for the highest position of the country, shares her views on the recent issue involving fellow presidential hopeful Sen. Grace Poe who was recently disqualified by the Commission on Elections.
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During an interview with ABS-CBN, Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago believes one of her rivals in the 2016 national elections, Sen. Grace Poe, is not a natural-born Filipino.
The 70-year-old Miriam Defensor-Santiago said that the Philippine Constitution is very clear on the requirements for those running for higher office in the country.
Sen. Grace Poe was quoted as saying “Malaki ang problema niya kasi nakalagay sa ating Constitution, ang requirements for president and vice-president halos pareho…In all of these provisions, the requirement is a natural- born Filipino. The Constitution says a natural-born Filipino is one who becomes a Filipino citizen even without undertaking any act,” she said.
Asked if she considers Poe a natural-born Filipino, Santiago said: “No, she is not. I am sorry to say.” Santiago noted that Poe’s parents, not just her relatives, must be Filipino for her to be considered a natural-born Filipino.
