Poe wins sympathy of warring Oro pols

By NITZ ARANCON, Correspondent

THE camp of Vice President Jejomar Binay continued to draw flak even in Cagayan de Oro where support for Sen. Grace Poe snowballed over the United Nationalist Alliance’s move to point out that the legislator could be disqualified from seeking the presidency because she is a foundling, and because there are questions about her residency.

Statements of sympathy for Poe came from lawyers and even from politicians from warring political parties, including those identified with the UNA.

The story on the four-decade old question on Poe’s biological parents has the makings of a “teleserye,” and is seen to boost the senator’s popularity ratings given the Filipino masses’ tendency to go with the underdog. The Binays have denied having a hand in the issues made public by the interim president of the UNA.

But just as the Binays disowned Tiangco’s controversial statements came UNA interim secretary general JV Bautista’s pronouncement that Poe could be booted out from the Senate because her being a “natural-born Filipino” is under question.

Councilor Teodulfo Lao accused Binay’s group of sourgraping even as he pointed out that UNA interim president Toby Tiangco, a Navotas congressman, raised the issue only “after Poe refused an offer for her to run for vice president under Binay” next year.

Lao said the residency issue against Poe was resolved when she filed her certificate of candidacy for senator, and when she won without anyone raising legal questions.

“Ang kampo ra man ni Binay nagpagawas anang issue kay mibalibad man si Poe nga mag-vice president ni Binay,” added Ben Ranque, deputy secretary general of the PDP-Laban.

Councilor Ramon Tabor, a lawyer and member of the Padayon Pilipino, said he could not see any legal obstacle of Poe decided to run for president next year.

Tabor’s political party is headed by ex-mayor Vicente Emano, a staunch ally of Binays.

“She can run,” said Tabor. “Residency requirements as discussed by learned men refer to the domicile of a person which she has clearly [when she] reestablished her intention to live in our country.”

On the issue of citizenship, Tabor said, “testimonies point out that her mother is from Iloilo” although Poe’s biological parents have not been identified.

But he said the citizenship may be raised before the Supreme Court.

Former vice mayor Antonio Soriano said he sees no problem if Poe decided to run for President, saying she is qualified even if she is a foundling.

Poe, who was abandoned in a church in Iloilo, was adopted by the late movie icon Fernando Poe Jr. and his wife Susan Roces who is also an actor.

Mayor Oscar Moreno’s election lawyer Mateo Delegencia said no one can prevent Poe’s critics from going to court. But in his opinion, Poe can run for President.

“Puede kaayo,” opined Delegencia.

Businessman Tito Mora, a former president of the Cagayan de Oro Travel and Tour Association who ran for a city council seat under Moreno’s ticket in 2013, said there is a Supreme Court ruling on the residency issue against Poe.

“Eventually, that will be settled by the Supreme Court.”