(Photo: Grace Poe/Facebook)
MANILA—Independent presidential candidate Senator Grace Poe on Sunday said that her husband Neil Llamanzares has renounced his American citizenship.
Poe made the announcement after she was asked during the third presidential debate held at the Phinma University of the Philippines in Dagupan City if she will bring an American in Malacanang once elected in May 9 elections.
”None because I’m the only one who was elected,” Poe answered.
”Does it mean that the renouncement process of the American citizenship of your husband is already completed?,” Karen Davila of ABS-CBN asked.
”Yes it was renounced already one month ago. But he was really born a Filipino because his parents are Filipinos,” the senator answered.
During the face-off, Vice President Jejomar Binay asked Poe why she renounced being a Filipino just to get work in the United States.
”Totoo po. Pero ‘nung mga pagkakataon na ‘yon, inisip ko rin, sa totoo, kasama ko ang aking pamilya at hindi po sa kakulangan ng pagmamahal sa bansa kundi dahil parang iniisip ko hindi ako mawawalay sa kanila. Marami namang ganoong sitwasyon, bumabalik rin naman dito, hindi naman po nababawasan ang pagmamahal sa bayan,” Poe answered.
Poe said the Philippines has a law that recognizes its citizen to have dual citizenship “but it does not mean that you have lost your love for your country.”
”Sa ating mga kababayan, wala naman akong ibang intensyon kundi mabuhay nang marangal kasama ng aking pamilya. Pamilyang Pilipino saan man sa mundo, hindi po nawawala. Sabi ko nga, puwede mong alisin ang Pilipino sa Pilipinas pero hindi mo maalis ang Pilipinas sa puso ng Pilipino,” she said.
”Basta po, Vice, patuloy ang pagmamahal ko sa bansa, pati ‘yung ating nais mangyari — totoo, natira ako sa ibang bansa — nakita ko kung anong pwedeng gawin para sa atin dito. Mas malawak na ang aking pananaw. Hindi po ako nagkaroon ng mga pribilehiyo doon, na kung nanatili ako dito siguro hindi ko matututunan,” she added.