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Popular Philippine senator announces bid for presidency amid questions over her citizenship

Associated Press
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Sen. Grace Poe acknowledges her supporters shortly after announcing her intention to run for the 2016 presidential elections Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2015 at the alumni hall of the country's premier university, the University of the Philippines at suburban Quezon city, northeast of Manila, Philippines. Poe topped the senatorial race in the local elections three years ago. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) (The Associated Press)

Sen. Grace Poe outlines her political platform as she announces her intention to run for the 2016 presidential elections Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2015 at the alumni hall of the country's premier university, the University of the Philippines, at suburban Quezon city, northeast of Manila, Philippines. Poe topped the senatorial race in the local elections of 2013. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) (The Associated Press)

Sen. Grace Poe acknowledges her supporters shortly after announcing her intention to run for the 2016 presidential elections Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2015 at the alumni hall of the country's premier university, the University of the Philippines, at suburban Quezon city, northeast of Manila, Philippines. Poe topped the senatorial race in the local elections in 2013. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) (The Associated Press)

A popular Philippine senator and daughter of one of the country's most famous movie couples has announced she will run in next year's presidential election.

Grace Poe declared her candidacy Wednesday at the University of the Philippines, joining two other politicians who have made public their presidential ambitions. They are former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas and current Vice President Jejomar Binay.

Poe lived for years in the United States, and questions have been raised about her citizenship and length of residency in the Philippines.

She is the adopted daughter of Susan Roces and the late Fernando Poe Jr., who were immensely popular in the local movie industry.

Current President Benigno Aquino III's six-year term ends next June.