DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines – Presidential aspirant Grace Poe revealed on Friday, February 12, that the DNA tests between her and the Rodriguez-Montañez families of Guimaras all yielded negative results.

“Sa DNA tests, ‘yung mga succeeding ones from the family of Lorena [de Chavez], hindi nag-match sa ngayon, pero di naman kami nawawalan ng pagasa,” Poe told reporters in an ambush interview in here.

(The DNA tests, the succeeding ones from the family of Lorena de Chavez, did not match, but we are not losing hope.)

A certain Lorena Rodriguez De Chavez earlier introduced herself to Poe as her aunt when they met in Iloilo in December.

De Chavez then claimed that her older sister, Victoria Rodriguez and Pacito Montañez – both dead – are Poe’s biological parents.

Poe’s camp earlier ordered the exhumation of 3 bodies – Rodriguez, Paquito, and Francisco Montañez. But late January, Poe said the 3 were no longer viable for testing.

‘Emotional roller coaster’

Poe admitted the whole saga of finding her real parents was a roller coaster ride for her. After all, she has been in search of them for decades now.

“Di ko rin maialis sa aking personal…nakakalungkot na sana magkatuldok na ito. Emotional roller coaster – umaasa ka tapos hindi, umaasa ka tapos hindi,” she said.

(I could not take it away from…I’m sad because I hope there will be a closure to this. Emotional roller coaster – you’re hoping now, then next moment you’re not.)

But Poe maintained that the negatives tests would hardly affect the disqualification case against her, as they are only secondary to the case.

“Unang-una ‘yung ating argumento sa Korte Suprema ay di nakabase sa DNA, ito’y nakabase sa karapatan ng mga batang napulot na magkaroon ng estado sa bansang ito,” Poe said.

(First of all, our arguments before the Supreme Court are not based on the DNA. They are based on the rights of foundlings so they may have a status in this country.)

While there are other people approaching her for a possible match, Poe said what matter’s most is her fight for the right of foundlings. She said she won’t submit to the court the DNA findings.

“Kung i-submit ko ang DNA makakabuti sa akin ‘yun, pero paano ‘yung iba na p’wedeng ma-question?” Poe said. (If I submit the DNA, it would be beneficial for me, but how about those who might be questioned?)

“Pangalawa, may iba pa namang lumalapit, pero sabi nga namin siguro ito ‘yung kosa ko na ipaglaban na magkaroon na ng tuldok ang mga karapatan ng mga bata rito,” she added. (Second, there are other people who approach me. But we’re saying maybe this is my cause: to fight for the rights of children here.)

Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr earlier offered to help Poe by undergoing a DNA test. A decades-long rumor – which both camps have denied – has it that Poe is the daughter of former President Ferdinand Marcos with actress Rosemarie Sonora, the sister of Poe’s adoptive mother Susan Roces.

“Nag-o-offer din si Senator Marcos. Sabi ko, sige, pero sabi ko nga after May 2016 na. Kung positive, positive,” Poe said.

(Senator Marcos is also offering [to undergo DNA tests]. I said okay but maybe after the May 2016 elections. If positive, then it’s positive.) – Rappler.com