Grace Poe denies alcohol dependence, abusive behavior

MANILA – Following the questions raised about her citizenship, Senator Grace Poe is now fending off allegations that she drinks to excess and that she is abusive towards household helpers.

"Kulang pa 'yan. Ako raw ay nagpa-rehab. I don't know for what," Poe said, in jest, in an interview with radio DZMM.

"Hindi po ako nambubugbog. Ang konsensya ko po ay malinis. May mga kasama po ako rito. Pwede naman silang kausapin, 'yung mga dati na... Kung mayroon man silang ilalabas, hindi ko talaga mainitindihan kung bakit nagkaroon ng issue na ganyan, pati sa pag-inom, pati sa pag-rehab," she added.

Poe said she is dismayed by the accusations, adding that she does not know who started the rumors.

"Minsan, feeling ko talagang binu-bully na ako. Alam natin, ang lalalakas ng makinarya nila, kung sino-sinong kilala nila. Ilalabas nila 'yung mga istoryang 'yan. Nambu-bully na sila para ba mag-negotiate ako at a position of disadvantage," she said.

Poe is currently leading pre-election surveys as the candidate most likely to win the 2016 presidential election. The senator, however, remains undecided in running for higher office by 2016.

Recently, losing 2013 senatorial candidate Rizalito David filed a quo warranto case against Poe before the Senate Electoral Tribunal, stating that the latter lacked the necessary residency requirement for senator.

David has said Poe lost her US citizenship in the last quarter of 2012.

In response, Poe insisted that she is a true Filipino "by birth, by abode, and choice" and said she can prove her residency in the Philippines in the last 10 years.

"Ako po ay nagsasabi ng totoo dito po sa mga dokumentong hawak namin na magpapatunay na hindi ko po kaya nililinlang. Ako po ay may basehan talaga para masabing ako ay Pilipino at ako ay residente ng ating bansa nang humigit-kumulang, lagpas 10 taon since 2005," Poe asserted.

At the same time, Poe also cried foul over the David’s claim that foundlings like her could be considered stateless and thus may not run for office.

"Yung sinasabi niyang ganoon, parang masyado namang mapang-api iyon.... 'Yung mga bata na naabandona, hindi kilala ang mga magulang, para bang ibig sabihin mas menos na kami. Sapagkat hindi naman namin kasalanan ito pero hindi matukoy kung sino yung mga blood parents namin,” the senator said.

She also cited the international convention that ensures the rights of individuals with unclear parentage as citizens of the country where they were found.

"Kung ang isang bata ay natagpuan sa isang lugar at hindi matukoy ang magulang, 'yun po ay sinunsunod sa nasyonalidad ng bansa kung saan natagpuan ‘yung batang ‘yun... Ang mga foundling hindi na kailangan na may specific provision sa Constitution because it's already assumed na 'yung bansa na kung saan sila natagpuan ay 'yun ang bansa nila," Poe explained.