Grace Poe says husband renounced US citizenship

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Grace Poe revealed on Sunday night's debate that her husband has renounced his American citizenship.

Answering a question during the "Yes/No" round of the last of the three presidential debates, Poe said that her husband, Teodoro "Neil" Llamanzares, has stopped using his American passport and renounced his citizenship.

At the debate, she also defended her husband, who slammed by critics as "deportable" for being a dual citizen.

"Ni-renounce na po... siguro mga isang buwan na nakalilipas," Poe said, answering a query by debate moderator Tony Velasquez. "Pero siya ay talagang Pilipino na pinanganak ng kanyang mga magulang na Pilipino."

The status of Poe as a natural-born citizen was challenged before the Supreme Court last year with critics saying she could not be natural born, being a foundling whose parents are unknown.

The Supreme Court ruled that Poe, even as a foundling, enjoys a natural-born status, which is a requirement for filing the certificate of candidacy as president. — Camille Diola