BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – A retired judge is offering a cash reward of P300,000 for anyone who can give “solid and credible” information regarding the biological parents of Sen. Grace Poe.
Jesus Rodriguez Jr., former arbiter of the National Labor Relations Commission in Western Visayas, said on Saturday that he and his friends would give P300,000 to anyone who could help find out the truth and establish the citizenship of Poe.
Rodriguez, 76, added he has met neither Poe nor her adoptive parent, actress Susan Roces, who has roots in this city.
“This is my last patriotic act before I go to sleep permanently,” Rodriguez said when asked about his motive for offering the reward.
The retired judge clarified he has no political motive, as he pointed out that he is not even supporting Poe in her presidential bid.
Rodriguez called those who are in their 60s and 70s and are living in Iloilo and in Bacolod who may remember someone who was pregnant at that time.
Poe was found at the Jaro Cathedral in Iloilo City in 1968.
“If we find people who may be directly related to the senator, we shall ask them to submit to a DNA test,” Rodriguez said.
“I think the whole nation is curious to know who Senator Poe’s real parents are. We want to find out the truth and I think the truth will have a bearing on the course this nation takes.”
Rodriguez is hoping that this “modest amount” will generate enough interest for those who are reluctant to come out and tell what they know about the true parentage of the senator.
“The reward is small compared to what we can all gain as Filipinos because the truth shall set us all free – free from speculations, unfounded allegations and cruel personal ambitions,” he said.
Rodriguez said any small detail could be valuable.
“We will do everything within our capacity to screen and evaluate carefully all the information. Those who are able to provide the most important lead, which could help trace the senator’s parents, shall be eligible for the reward money,” he said.
Poe faced a slew of disqualification cases before the Senate Electoral Tribunal and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) questioning her citizenship and residency.
The SET ruled in favor of Poe in reaffirming its earlier decision that she is a natural-born Filipino citizen.