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Are we related? Grace Poe’s ‘biological siblings’ offer to undergo DNA tests
By JAM SISANTE, GMA News
(UPDATED 6:56 p.m.) ILOILO CITY—According to the story, an infant was found abandoned by the holy water font inside the Jaro Cathedral 46 years ago.
That infant who grew up to be Senator Grace Poe returned on Friday as part of a renewed attempt to find out who left her there.
"For me it's an emotional visit," said Poe, who was accompanied by Iloilo natives who were part of her childhood.
"Tuwing pupunta ako sa isang probinsya, hangga't maari bumibisita ako sa isang simbahan. Iyan ang bilin sa akin ng aking nanay. Lalo na itong simbahan na ito," she said, referring to her adoptive mother, actress Susan Roces.
Poe said she had been trying for years to find out who her biological parents were even though they chose to abandon her.
She decided to renew her search, however, amid questions on her citizenship raised by critics and personalities associated with the opposition's presumptive standard-bearer Vice President Jejomar Binay.
Poe on Friday met with family friends who she said gave her more information about the possible identity of her biological parents.
Among those she had breakfast with were Iloilo City Mayor Jed Mabilog, a distant relative of Roces; and 81-year-old Sofia Mijares, a former house help of Roces and Poe's adoptive father Fernando Poe Jr.
Both said they've heard stories that her biological father was one Edgardo Militar, a brother-in-law of Sayong Militar who was supposed to have found her inside the cathedral decades ago.
Edgardo was actually the signatory in her foundling certificate, indicating that he was the one who found her in the church.
"He has passed on but his children are willing to help her determine whether we're related," Poe said.
"There's an offer from the children of Edgardo na pwede silang magpa-DNA [test]. I'm thinking about it," said the senator.
Poe said she felt that she was a little closer to the truth, although more questions would have to be answered as Sayong told her a different version of the story.
Poe said Sayong told her that it was she who found the baby girl Poe inside the church, and the only reason Edgardo was the signatory in her foundling certificate was because he was the one who had it processed.
'National search'
The senator is well aware that her quest to find her biological parents has taken a telenovela-like turn, jokingly saying that it now seems like "pambansang paghahanap" or a national search.
"Hinihingi ko po iyong pasensya ng ating mga kababayan. Alam mo parang iyong nagiging diskusyon iyong aking personal na buhay," Poe said.
"Siyempre alam ko gusto niyo rin malaman iyong aking pagkatao at bilang ihinalal ninyo kasama iyon.Pero talagang dapat naka-focus doon sa problema ng ating mga kababayan," she added.
The senator hopes that finding out who her biological parents are would also put to rest doubts over whether she is a natural-born Filipino.
Under the 1987 Constitution, one is considered a natural-born citizen if at least one parent is Filipino.
Being a natural-born citizen is a requirement for those running for president or vice president.
"Itong paglalaban na ito hindi lang para matukoy ko ang mga magulang ko. Ang paglalaban na ito ay para sa lahat ng foundling," she said, adding that foundlings should be given the same opportunity as those with proper legal documents to serve the country.
For months, Binay was the leading prospective presidential candidate in surveys by a large margin.
But Poe, who is often in the news for leading Senate investigations on controversial topics such as the bloody encounter in Mamasapano, has steadily narrowed the gap even though she has not announced any plan to seek the presidency.
Poe admitted that part of the reason why she has been going around several provinces lately is to help her decide whether she will seek a higher post in 2016.
"Of course it's part of the discernment kasi nakikita mo ang kabuuan din ng pangangailangan ng ating bayan. Nakikita mo na napapag-iwanan ang sektor ng agrikultura," Poe said.
"Nakikita mo na maraming pwedeng gawin sa local government units. So hindi ka nakakulong sa air-conditioned halls of the Senate," she added. —NB/JJ GMA News
That infant who grew up to be Senator Grace Poe returned on Friday as part of a renewed attempt to find out who left her there.
"For me it's an emotional visit," said Poe, who was accompanied by Iloilo natives who were part of her childhood.
"Tuwing pupunta ako sa isang probinsya, hangga't maari bumibisita ako sa isang simbahan. Iyan ang bilin sa akin ng aking nanay. Lalo na itong simbahan na ito," she said, referring to her adoptive mother, actress Susan Roces.
Poe said she had been trying for years to find out who her biological parents were even though they chose to abandon her.
She decided to renew her search, however, amid questions on her citizenship raised by critics and personalities associated with the opposition's presumptive standard-bearer Vice President Jejomar Binay.
Poe on Friday met with family friends who she said gave her more information about the possible identity of her biological parents.
Among those she had breakfast with were Iloilo City Mayor Jed Mabilog, a distant relative of Roces; and 81-year-old Sofia Mijares, a former house help of Roces and Poe's adoptive father Fernando Poe Jr.
Both said they've heard stories that her biological father was one Edgardo Militar, a brother-in-law of Sayong Militar who was supposed to have found her inside the cathedral decades ago.
Edgardo was actually the signatory in her foundling certificate, indicating that he was the one who found her in the church.
"He has passed on but his children are willing to help her determine whether we're related," Poe said.
"There's an offer from the children of Edgardo na pwede silang magpa-DNA [test]. I'm thinking about it," said the senator.
Poe said Roces told her that before Sayong and her family moved to Canada, Edgardo's brother Emil and his family dropped by their home looking for the senator. But she was not home during that time.
"'Yung iyak daw ng pamilya tuwing pinag-uusapan ako sabi niya, 'Nararamdaman ko parang isa talaga sa kanila.' Kasi parang siyempre nagpa-adopt ka ng bata, isang bata na nakita mo, you’re happy for the child pero parang ito napakabigat sa kalooban nila to give me up," Poe said.
"But then they realized the situation. Hindi naman sila may kaya. Hindi naman sila mayaman. So sabi ni Mama, 'Nagdududa talaga ako,'" she added.
"But then they realized the situation. Hindi naman sila may kaya. Hindi naman sila mayaman. So sabi ni Mama, 'Nagdududa talaga ako,'" she added.
Poe said she felt that she was a little closer to the truth, although more questions would have to be answered as Sayong told her a different version of the story.
Poe said Sayong told her that it was she who found the baby girl Poe inside the church, and the only reason Edgardo was the signatory in her foundling certificate was because he was the one who had it processed.
'National search'
The senator is well aware that her quest to find her biological parents has taken a telenovela-like turn, jokingly saying that it now seems like "pambansang paghahanap" or a national search.
"Hinihingi ko po iyong pasensya ng ating mga kababayan. Alam mo parang iyong nagiging diskusyon iyong aking personal na buhay," Poe said.
"Siyempre alam ko gusto niyo rin malaman iyong aking pagkatao at bilang ihinalal ninyo kasama iyon.Pero talagang dapat naka-focus doon sa problema ng ating mga kababayan," she added.
The senator hopes that finding out who her biological parents are would also put to rest doubts over whether she is a natural-born Filipino.
Under the 1987 Constitution, one is considered a natural-born citizen if at least one parent is Filipino.
Being a natural-born citizen is a requirement for those running for president or vice president.
"Itong paglalaban na ito hindi lang para matukoy ko ang mga magulang ko. Ang paglalaban na ito ay para sa lahat ng foundling," she said, adding that foundlings should be given the same opportunity as those with proper legal documents to serve the country.
"Balikan natin ito, ang gobyerno merong parens patriae principle. Kung may isang batang inabandona or inabuso, the state takes care of the child, and the state takes the citizenship of the state – the child will take the citizenship of the state that will adopt him," she added.
For months, Binay was the leading prospective presidential candidate in surveys by a large margin.
But Poe, who is often in the news for leading Senate investigations on controversial topics such as the bloody encounter in Mamasapano, has steadily narrowed the gap even though she has not announced any plan to seek the presidency.
Poe admitted that part of the reason why she has been going around several provinces lately is to help her decide whether she will seek a higher post in 2016.
"Of course it's part of the discernment kasi nakikita mo ang kabuuan din ng pangangailangan ng ating bayan. Nakikita mo na napapag-iwanan ang sektor ng agrikultura," Poe said.
"Nakikita mo na maraming pwedeng gawin sa local government units. So hindi ka nakakulong sa air-conditioned halls of the Senate," she added. —NB/JJ GMA News
Tags: gracepoe, 2016elections
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