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Philippine President makes dual citizenship law official
Manila, Aug 29: Natural-born Filipinos who have become foreign citizens can reacquire their Philippine citizenship under a new law signed today by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Manila, Aug 29: Natural-born Filipinos who have become foreign citizens can reacquire their Philippine citizenship under a new law signed today by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Arroyo said the dual citizenship law is a response to globalisation and the "strong homing instincts" of millions of ethnic Filipinos living abroad.
There are about 3.5 million Filipinos who have foreign citizenship, including about 1.75 million in the United States, according to Jose Apolinario Lozada Jr., chairman of the House of Representatives' Committee on Foreign Affairs.
"The international trend is clearly towards increasing the number of dual citizens, and we know that the majority of the Filipinos who migrated abroad did so for better opportunities, but they continue their allegiance to the Philippines," Arroyo said.
"This continued allegiance is demonstrated by their maintaining contacts and interest in their homeland and by their intention to retire, own properties and invest their hard-earned money in the country."
Under the new law, Filipinos who have become naturalised citizens of another country would reacquire their citizenship after taking an oath of allegiance. Their children under age 18 would also be deemed Philippine citizens.
Those who reacquire Filipino citizenship will be allowed to vote or run for office unless they are candidates for or are already holding public office in the country where they have become naturalised citizens. Those in active service in a foreign country's military also will not be allowed to vote or seek public office.
Bureau Report
Arroyo said the dual citizenship law is a response to globalisation and the "strong homing instincts" of millions of ethnic Filipinos living abroad.
There are about 3.5 million Filipinos who have foreign citizenship, including about 1.75 million in the United States, according to Jose Apolinario Lozada Jr., chairman of the House of Representatives' Committee on Foreign Affairs.
"The international trend is clearly towards increasing the number of dual citizens, and we know that the majority of the Filipinos who migrated abroad did so for better opportunities, but they continue their allegiance to the Philippines," Arroyo said.
"This continued allegiance is demonstrated by their maintaining contacts and interest in their homeland and by their intention to retire, own properties and invest their hard-earned money in the country."
Under the new law, Filipinos who have become naturalised citizens of another country would reacquire their citizenship after taking an oath of allegiance. Their children under age 18 would also be deemed Philippine citizens.
Those who reacquire Filipino citizenship will be allowed to vote or run for office unless they are candidates for or are already holding public office in the country where they have become naturalised citizens. Those in active service in a foreign country's military also will not be allowed to vote or seek public office.
Bureau Report