Senator Grace Poe offers flowers at the tomb of her father, Fernando Poe Jr., at the Manila North Cemetery on Sunday (Dec. 14, 2014), the 10th death anniversary of the acknowledged Filipino movie king. (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito defended Sen. Grace Poe amid questions about her citizenship, saying there is nothing wrong with being a foundling and being adopted.
In his speech at today’s Independence Day celebration in San Juan, Ejercito said he is against the allegation even though it came from a party-mate and friend.
He asked Poe to forgive those behind the allegation.
“Kailanman, walang masama sa pagiging ampon, at lalo na hindi ito kasalanan. sabi ko nga mabuti pa sya kahit na ampon binigyan ng karangalan ang pangalan ng kanyang kinikilallang mga magulang. May ilan sa atin, hindi nga ampon tunay nga na anak eh binigyan naman ng kahihiyan ang magulang,” he said.
“Sa pagkakataong ito nais ko ihingi ng paumanhin sa ating senadora ang ating mga kaibigan. Marahil hindi sila nabigyan ng mabuting payo.”
Ejercito, son of former president Joseph Estrada, assured Poe of his support should she decide to seek higher office in 2016.
Poe was the guest speaker at the city’s celebration of independence.
“Kung mangyayari lang naisin niya ang paglahok sa pambansang halalan sa isang taon, nais kong ipabatod sa inyo na dahil sa prinsipyo at panindigan na ating nakita sa pagsasama sa Senado, ako po ay inyong maaasahan. Secret lang. Nagkakaintindan na tayo, kapatid,” Ejercito said.
United Nationalist Alliance president Toby Tiangco, an ally of Vice-President Jejomar Binay, was the first to question Poe’s residency requirement, saying the senator is not qualified to run for president in 2016.
Another Binay spokesman, Atty. JV Bautista, later said Poe cannot run because as a foundling, she is considered “stateless.”
Makati Rep. Abigail Binay later called for an end to the word war, saying the allegations had a negative effect on the Binay family. (MNS)