MANILA, Philippines, Feb. 19 (UPI) -- The Filipino Supreme Court Thursday began hearing argument on whether the origins of a top film star bar him from seeking the presidency.
A case filed against Fernando Poe Jr., one of the country's top actors, says he can't run for president because he is not considered a natural-born Filipino. Poe is the illegitimate son of a Filipino father and American mother and according to the nation's law, children born out of wedlock take their mother's nationality.
A petition filed at the court by lawyers said the Supreme Court should assume jurisdiction over the case. All 14 justices of the court were present.
Poe leads most opinion polls in the run up to the May presidential elections and is expected to beat incumbent President Gloria Arroyo easily.
His supporters took to the streets Thursday ahead of the Supreme Court hearing and had to be dispersed by police.
