Senator Grace Poe’s presidential bid remains uncertain after a divided Supreme Court delivered its verdict on her citizenship and residency qualifications.
The 47-year-old senator, a foundling adopted by Filipino parents, was cleared to continue her candidacy in the May elections, but only with a split decision from the high tribunal.
Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno led the majority of nine justices who ruled that Poe meets the citizenship and residency requirements for presidential hopefuls, while Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio dissented, citing concerns over Poe’s qualifications.
The Supreme Court’s verdict comes after a contentious debate on Poe’s citizenship status, with some justices arguing that she is a natural-born Filipino citizen due to her adoption by Filipino parents, while others claim she failed to meet the Constitution’s requirements for presidential candidates.
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