CONVERSATION: Should Grace Poe be allowed to run for president?

MANILA, Philippines – Should a foundling, who later renounced her Filipino citizenship but took it back prior to her working for the government, be allowed to run for president of the Philippines? 

It’s a tricky question, with lots of contentious tidbits, and one that’s been hounding Senator Grace Poe for quite a while. She not only faces skeptical individuals but a disqualification case.

It’s a bit complicated too. Her being a foundling has become an issue because of a constitutional requirement that those voted to national posts should be natural-born Filipino. Her critics’ contention is that since her biological parents are not known, there’s a possibility she might not be a natural-born Filipino and therefore not qualified for office.

Should the issue of being natural born be settled, however, there is the supposedly moral question of why she renounced her Filipino citizenship before. While she has taken her oath again as a Filipino citizen, her husband and children reportedly remain American citizens.

Poe’s citizenship issue has its bright points, however. The controversy surrounding her status as a foundling has inspired her to champion fellow abandoned children through legislation. Experts in international and family law have spoken up as well to answer some questions.

On Thursday, October 8, at 8 om, Rappler will ask its readers via Twitter what they think about Poe’s status, as well as its implications on the electoral requirement of Filipino citizenship. 

We also posted a poll for our Facebook readers:

Join us! Voice your opinion. Ask our guests experts questions. Let’s have a conversation. Tag @rapplerdotcom and use the hashtags #PHvote and #TheLeaderIWant. – Rappler.com