Grace Poe's spouse to renounce American citizenship

Sen. Grace Poe's husband, Neil Llamanzares, and their children are American citizens. Philstar.com / Efigenio Toledo IV, file

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential aspirant Sen. Grace Poe revealed that her husband, Neil Llamanzares, is willing to renounce his American citizenship if the senator wins the presidency in 2016.

"Nag-usap na kami ng aking asawa bagama't by birth kasi siya naging citizen, para mawala na ang pagdududa na 'yan at para ipakita niya ang kumpiyansa sa aking administrasyon, siya ay talaga namang magre-renounce," Poe said in an interview with radio dzMM on Wednesday.

Llamanzares is a dual citizen by birth as he was born to a Filipino couple in the United States.

"Hindi kayo magkakaroon ng 'American boy' sa Malakanyang," Poe said.

Poe, however, insisted that she will not force her son, Brian Poe Llamanzares, to change his citizenship for her. Her son was born in the United States while her two daughters, Hanna and Anika, were born in the Philippines.

The presidential bet is being criticized for previously renouncing her Filipino citizenship to become an American citizen.

During the same interview, Poe admitted that the DNA test results with her supposed negatives turned out negative.

READ: Grace Poe's woe: DNA test results turn out negative

The senator, however, pointed out that the issue of foundlings should also be considered in the disqualification case filed against her before the Senate Electoral Tribunal.

"Wala po akong duda sa aking puso, sa aking isip, ako po ay Pilipino," Poe said.

Poe is also facing several disqualification cases before the Commission on Elections, seeking to invalidate her certificate of candidacy for president. — Patricia Lourdes Viray

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