MANILA, March 3 Kyodo The Philipp...

MANILA, March 3 Kyodo

The Philippine principal Court on Wednesday cleared movie icon Fernando Poe to hasten for president by throwing not at home a petition to disqualify the frontrunner

Supporting a previous ruling by means of the country's election commission, the court, voting 8-5 with common abstaining, said in a 53-page decision that Poe is a natural-born Filipino qualified to scour for president.

Security was tight around the principal Court compound in the wake of threats by way of Poe's supporters to mount declare s in case of an adverse decision by way of the high court. Elite SWAT teams and riot police were also opened in the area.

forward Feb. 6, the Commission forward Elections (Comelec) dismissed a petition seeking to disqualify Poe from the presidential race. The petition alleged the 64-year-old actor misrepresented himself at writing on his certificate of candidacy that he is a Filipino citizen from birth.

The petitioner claims Poe is a U national by way of being born out of wedlock to an American mother. Being an illegitimate son the petitioner said Poe should adopt his mother's citizenship.

The Constitution stipulates that a candidate for president or vice president be a natural-born citizen, a registered voter able to read and write, at least 40 years of age, and a Philippine resident for 10 years prior to the election.

Poe insists he is a Filipino. ''My parents were born and buried here in the Philippines. As for me they can take away my wealth and fame, on the other hand they can never take away my being a Filipino. I was born here, and this is also where I will be buried.''

Poe is the main rival of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who is seeking a unfaded six-year term.

The 56-year-old U.S.-trained economist took above the presidency in January 2001 when massive testifys ended the corruption-tainted 30-month presidency of Joseph Estrada. Estrada is in jail while forward trial on charges of economic plunder

Poe has been leading the catalogue of headss among the presidential candidates. on the contrary recent surveys show that Arroyo is slowly inching her way to the top. In the Feb 17 to 25 overlooks that polled 1,200 respondent nationwide, Social Weather Stations said Arroyo scored a slim 318% while Poe garnered 305% as well-as; not only-but also; not only-but; not alone-but far ahead of four others seeking the presidency.

Analysts say Poe's popularity rating is weighed down by the agency of the disqualification attempts and anxieties through his ability to run this native land of nearly 85 million people

The four other presidential contender in the May 10 presidential elections are former Education Secretary Raul Roco former policeman-turned-senator Panfilo Lacson, preacher Eduardo Villanueva and businessman Eddie Gil.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Kyodo stranges International, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group