The filing of a disqualification case against Sen Grace Poe by a private citizen questioning her citizenship was stalled after the complainant was unable to pay the filing fee of Php 50,000.
The complainant, Rizalito David even asked the media present for contribution to pay the required filing fee. He was not aware of the fact that he had to pay a filing fee of P50,000 and a cash deposit of P10,000 before his complaint is accepted.
The Complainant alleged that Sen Grace Poe was not qualified to become a senator because she lacked the requirement that a senator must be a natural born citizen and resided in the Philippines for at least 2 years.
The Philippine Constitution provides that Natural-Born citizens are those:
- Citizens of the Philippines from birth who do not need to perform any act to acquire or perfect their Philippine citizenship.
- Those who elect Philippine citizenship under Art. IV, Sec. 1(3) of 1987 Constitution.
Who are citizens of the Philippines?
- Those who are citizens of the Philippines at the time of the adoption of the 1987 Constitution
- Those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the Philippines
- Those born before January 17, 1973 of Filipino mothers, who elect Philippine citizenship upon reaching the age of majority.
- Those who are naturalized in accordance with law.
How may one lose citizenship (C.A. No. 63):
- By naturalization in a foreign country
- By express renunciation of citizenship
- By subscribing to an oath of allegiance to the laws or constitution of a foreign country
- By serving in the armed forces of an enemy country
- By cancellation of certificates of naturalization By being a deserter of the armed forces of one’s country
Dual citizenship arises when, as a result of the concurrent application of the laws of two or more states, a person is simultaneously
considered a citizen of those states.
Dual allegiance on the other hand refers to the situation in which a person simultaneously owes, by some positive act, loyalty to two or
more states. Dual nationality is involuntary and legal, while dual allegiance is voluntary and illegal.
Qualifications of a Senator
- At least 35 years of age
- Natural Born Citizen of the Philippines
- Registered Voter
- Resident of the Philippines for at least 2 years immediately preceding the election.
The Complainant was asked by the media why he did not file the disqualification case against Sen Grace Poe before 2013. He answered that it takes time to gather all the evidence to support the case.
Rizalito David, the complainant said that he acted alone and no one is behind him in filing the case against Sen Grace Poe. He even called all those who are running for President to help him pay the filing fee if they are interested in finding the truth about Sen Grace Poe’s qualification.