Poe denies anew rumors she is Bongbong’s sis

ANGELES CITY, Philippines – Sen. Grace Poe yesterday belied yet again rumors of her blood relation with Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., dismissing it as an “urban legend” devoid of any basis.

She admitted being tempted to pursue a DNA test to, once and for all, settle the issue of her allegedly being the daughter of the late dictator president Ferdinand Marcos.

“For a time, I considered it,” the independent presidential candidate said, referring to a DNA test involving Marcos. “But I don’t want to bother other people.”

Poe’s running mate Sen. Francis Escudero, meanwhile, promised to work for the passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill in the first 100 days should they get elected to office.

Such a law, he said at a press conference here, is one of the top three measures he and Poe are eyeing to curb graft and corruption in government.

Escudero said despite the cases filed by the Aquino government against big-time personalities, including former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and chief justice Renato Corona, corruption persisted in the government.

“We want the FOI passed into law in the first 100 days of the Poe administration,” Escudero said.

He also stressed the need to minimize “areas of discretion” given to several government offices.

“In the Bureau of Customs, for example, shipments that arrive are not immediately processed. The policy should be first in, first out to remove areas for corruption,” the lawmaker said.

Escudero, who appeared with Poe at the press conference, also dismissed claims that he will be the one to run the government for Poe should they both win in the coming polls.

“That’s an insult not only to Grace but also to women,” he said, noting that Poe has proven her independence on many occasions.

“I think not even her mother (actress Susan Roces) can dictate to her.”

Poe, who is still facing a disqualification petition before the Supreme Court, also denied that she would be a factotum or a handyman to Escudero.

“Chiz has done much. But in the end, it will be my decision,” she said.

She also thanked Bongbong for his tolerance on the issue of them being half-siblings.

Only recently, a document allegedly coming from a forensic scientist claimed that a DNA test on Bongbong indicated that he and Poe were related. The document, however, turned out to be spurious.