WASHINGTON, D.C. (The Adobo Chronicles) – So, who is considered a natural-born citizen?  Well, it  all depends on the country and the legal interpretation by constitutionalists.

The  Philippines and the United States have candidates running for president in their respective 2016 presidential elections.  Both countries require presidential candidates to be “natural-born” citizens.

The Philippines’ Senator Grace Poe faces legal qualification challenges by virtue of her being a foundling. The Philippine nationality law is based upon the principle of jus sanguinis (Latin: right of blood) and therefore descent from a parent who is a citizen or national of the Republic of the Philippines is the primary method of acquiring Philippine citizenship. Poe’s parents, and their citizenship, have not been ascertained to this moment.

Ted Cruz, on the other hand, while having an American mother, was born of a Cuban father — in Canada. The constitutional text provides that a U.S. president, unlike other elected officials, must be a “natural born citizen.”  Some say this language could not mean anyone born a citizen or else the text would have simply stated “born citizen.”  The word “natural” is a limiting qualifier that indicates only some persons who are born citizens qualify.  Moreover, when the Constitution was enacted, the word “natural” meant something not created by statute, as with natural rights or natural law, which instead were part of the common law.

Both scenarios are curious cases that may or may not be resolved in this election year.

So what happens  if either Poe or Cruz is elected president remains the million dollar (and , in the case of the Philippines, peso) question.

Our recommendation? Just vote your conscience. Just don’t ask Donald Trump.