MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Three opposition senators — Antonio Trillanes, Risa Hontiveros and Bam Aquino — are calling for a Senate Hearing to investigate the citizenship of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.

The trio issued the call after it was reported that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe referred to Duterte as ‘family.’ Abe’s statement was made during Duterte’s second state visit to Japan this week.

”One of the qualifications of a Philippine President is to be a natural-born citizen,” Hontiveros told The Adobo Chronicles, “so if Duterte is a relative of Abe, it is possible that our President was born in Japan.”

Vice President Leni Robredo welcomed the proposed Senate investigation, saying that it could fast-track her desire to become President.