Grace Poe’s son takes leave from CNN Philippines

Brian Poe-Llamanzares, the son of Senator Grace Poe, has taken an indefinite leave of absence from work as a reporter of CNN Philippines to give "full support" to his mother.

In a text message to GMA News Online, Brian said his decision to go on leave is not an indication that his mother has already made a decision to run  in the 2016 national elections.

"Since I was part of her 2013 campaign team I've taken leave so that I could help in her exploratory team," he explained. "If anything this only means she's taking her options seriously."

"I left so that she knows she has my full support. No matter what her decision may be I'm ready to help," he added.

'Out of delicadeza'

Brian also said that he took a leave "out of delicadeza."

"More and more stories are becoming related to the 2016 elections and I don't feel right covering them," he added, noting that he used to be CNN Philippines' foreign affairs correspondent.

He added that he had worked hard to earn the respect of his fellow reporters, that he would not want his objectivity in reporting to be questioned.

"Alam mo naman po, baka mamaya sasabihin pa ng mga tao na politically motivated yung mga reports ko," he said. "I worked to hard to build my credibility as a journalist and I don't want to lose that."

"Kahit mahal ko ang trabaho ko, mas mahal ko pa ang nanay ko at kailangan ako mag-leave muna sa trabaho para todo ang support na mabibigay ko sakanya," he added. —NB/TJD, GMA News