Tiangco apologizes for rift between Grace Poe, Binays

'PROOF.' Navotas Representative Toby Tiangco, UNA interim president, presents to media a copy of Senator Grace Poe's certificate of candidacy for the 2013 elections. Photo by Rappler

MANILA, Philippines – Navotas Representative Tobias Tiangco on Friday, June 5, apologized for causing a rift between the families of Senator Grace Poe and Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Tiangco issued the apology a day after the Vice President's daughter, Makati Representative Abigail Binay, said nothing more would be heard about the residency issue against Poe from the Binay camp, which is a legal matter that can only be addressed by the courts. (READ: Binay camp on Grace Poe: 'It's her right to run')

"I apologize for having caused damage to the friendship of the Poe and Binay families. I will follow Cong. Abby's advice to stop speaking on the matter as this is an issue for the proper courts to decide," the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) interim president said in a statement.

Tiangco was the first to raise the legal question against Poe, and presented a document – Poe's certificate of candidacy – to "prove" that the senator would be short of the 10-year minimum residency requirement for vice presidential and presidential candidates come May 2016.

UNA interim secretary-general JV Bautista had also questioned the citizenship of Poe since she was a "foundling" who has later adopted by actors Susan Roces and the late Fernando Poe Jr.

Poe had disputed the allegations and questioned the motive of the UNA officials. (READ: Grace Poe to UNA: Why are you so afraid of me?)

Asked about Tiangco's gesture, the Vice President told reporters in Naval, Biliran, that it had been his standing directive to the UNA president.

"Talagang sinabihan ko siya. Sabi ko, 'Huwag mo nang pakialaman 'yan' (I really told him not to touch that issue)," said Binay, who supported the presidential bid of the elder Poe in 2004.

Despite corruption allegations, Binay has kept the lead in nationwide polls among possible presidential contenders in the 2016 elections. The results of the March Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, however, showed him in a "statistical tie" with Poe. – Rappler.com