If given his way, a  lawmaker will allow  Filipinos with dual citizenship to be elected or appointed, or hold elective public office without renouncing their foreign citizenship.
Alagad Rep. Rodante Marcoleta has authored and filed a bill seeking to amend Republic Act 9225 or the “Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003.”
Marcoleta said the law provides that those who would like to seek appointive or elective public office must renounce their foreign citizenship prior to assumption
of office or upon filing of their certificates of candidacy.
“The conditions set forth in the provisions being sought to be amended are surplusage because once a person files the certificate of candidacy, the candidate declares their Filipino citizenship and their support to the constitution of the Republic,” Marcoleta said.
Marcoleta said under his proposal, Filipinos with dual citizenships can run during any electoral exercise or be appointed to a government position without renouncing their other citizenship.
“As such, Filipinos who re-acquire their Filipino citizenship once again enjoy full civil, economic and political rights and be subjected to all liabilities and responsibilities under existing laws of the Republic of the Philippines,” Marcoleta said.
Marcoleta said being a holder of dual citizenship will no longer be a hindrance when seeking appointive or elective public positions in the Philippines.
“This is a very timely measure to harness the talents and experiences of our human resource.  Once a Filipino, always a Filipino.  We will always be ?Filipino at heart where we go,” Marcoleta said.