Palace unperturbed by ‘friends of court’ stand on Poe issue

Malacañang remained unperturbed yesterday over the disqualification case against presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr., which was elevated to the Supreme Court after amici curiae (friends of the court) supported Thursday the argument that Poe is a natural-born Filipino.

President Arroyo’s official campaign spokesman Michael Defensor said the President and the administration coalition candidates would rather not comment on the pending petition for Poe’s disqualification from the presidential race being heard by the tribunal. Poe is the standard-bearer of the opposition Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP).

"As far as we’re concerned, we do not want to comment about it for now, but let us wait for the Supreme Court to first speak out because it would be difficult for us to make opinions about this issue," Defensor said.

"What’s important is we respect the process and the laws," he added. "We recognize this and we respect this and we should refrain from making statements that tend to heat up the situation by calling for disrespect and not recognizing the Supreme Court or to fight in case a different ruling is made. Let’s respect the institution of our democracy."

The four amici curiae, in their respective legal opinions rendered during the 12-hour marathon hearing Thursday, were one in taking the position that having a Filipino father was sufficient grounds for Poe to be considered a natural born Filipino, his status as an illegitimate child of an American mother notwithstanding.

As far as the President is concerned, Poe is a "Filipino citizen," Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said.

In Baguio City, Alyansa ng Pag-Asa presidential bet Raul Roco said it would be better if the Supreme Court declared Poe qualified to run in the race to the presidency.

While Roco did not delve into the merits of the disqualification case against Poe, Roco said such a decision will enable voters decide who should become the next president and douse the tension created by pro-Poe quarters, who threaten massive protests if Poe is disqualified.

He also said it is up to Poe to persuade his supporters against staging violent protest actions and that the Filipino people should respect the Supreme Court’s decision on the matter because the high court is the country’s "supreme arbiter."

While he favors keeping Poe in the presidential derby, Roco again lambasted Poe, whom he said is better placed in Cannes International Film Festival than in the battle for the presidency.

Should Poe win the contest for the presidency, Roco said, "all they might make are movies."

For his part, Poe also remains unaffected by disqualification case against him, KNP spokesman Miguel Romero said at the Kapihan sa Sulo forum in Quezon City.

"It is not true that the funding has stopped," Romero said. "If it did stop, we would not have the planes and helicopters we are now using (for the campaigns). These are all donations."

Though he did not identify the donors to Poe’s campaign, though he said there are big corporations now supporting Poe’s bid for the presidency.

Even the poor, he said are supporting Poe’s presidential bid and backing that support with money through the "Piso Para kay FPJ" fund drive.

"To us, one peso is nothing, but for (the poor), it is so much and we are touched by their support," Romero said.

He expressed confidence that the Supreme Court will rule in Poe’s favor, saying that he believes the Supreme Court "will dismiss the case eventually." According to, the train of thought of the amici curiae shows that Poe "is a natural-born Filipino. These were questions that were asked by people who have studied the law. Let us have faith in the Supreme Court." — With Artemio Dumlao, Sheila Crisostomo, Mike Frialde