Is Grace Poe the daughter of Ferdinand Marcos? Imelda reacts

MANILA - Former First Lady Imelda Marcos just laughed at speculations Senator Grace Poe is the illegitimate daughter of her husband, the late President Ferdinand Marcos.

According to Senator Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., his mother, former First Lady Imelda Marcos, just laughed at the speculations.

He told reporters on Wednesday that the matter of Poe's origins was discussed during the birthday celebration of his mother last week.

"Tumatawa siya. We just celebrated her birthday at nabanggit yan. Tawa lang siya nang tawa. ‘Paano magiging anak ni Marcos ‘yan, ang puti-puti.’ She just laughs about it. Ano ba gagawin mo, magagalit or maiinis ka,” he said.

Marcos admitted being impressed by Poe.

"When she first came to the Senate, I was very impressed by her… For somebody who has never been in that line of work, she already hit the ground running [when she came in],” he said.

He said Poe feels “a little tentative” about running for president. “We understand that the presidency is very difficult. It’s a very important [but] complicated job.”

He feels, however, that she will “get there [but] we don’t know with the numbers."

Marcos himself is being rumored to run for president.

"She's a possible contender because her numbers are significant… mahirap ikampanya ang magkapatid,” Marcos joked.

He said he has not decided himself. He said the political landscape remains fluid at this time

Marcos belongs to the Nacionalista Party (NP), which he said may decide soon if it will set a convention.

He said the role of the party in the coming elections will already have to be decided.

“We’re technically in a coalition. I don’t think it applies anymore. It was a strange coalition, loose coalition…”

He said all options are open to him. "I’m very lucky I have all options. I can run for president, I can run for barangay captain. Everything is available to me."

He said he is prepared for possible cases should he run for president. He noted the family has not lost a single case filed against them.