Lawyer says Discaya qualified to run as Pasig mayor

The camp of Pasig City mayoral candidate Sarah Discaya has said she is qualified to run in the May 12 elections even if she is a British passport holder.

Atty. Edward Gialogo, Discaya's legal counsel, said the mayoral candidate committed no legal violation as she is a dual citizen by birth.

“There was no violation or wrongdoing on the part of Mrs. Sarah Discaya that can be used as grounds for disqualification,” he said in a press release.

“Being a dual citizen by birth, she automatically acquired British citizenship by being born in London, while retaining her Filipino citizenship. Under Philippine law, she is not required to undertake any legal action to participate in the upcoming May 12, 2025 elections,” he added.

Gialogo cited the Supreme Court decision in Gana-Carait vs. Comelec, which states that individuals who are dual citizens by birth are not barred from running for public office.

Discaya's camp made the statement after Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto pointed out in a Facebook post that his rival is a holder of a British passport. 

''Kung tutuusin, parang ako nga 'yung may grounds for disqualification laban sa katunggali ko para mayor eh. Dahil ginamit niya pa diumano ang kanyang British passport ngayong 2025 lamang,'' Sotto said.

(It seems that I'm the one who has grounds for disqualification against my rival for the mayoralty race. It's because she supposedly used her British passport this 2025.)

Sotto made the remark after a disqualification complaint was lodged against him by Discaya's husband. This complaint was junked by the poll body, according to the city mayor.

Discaya's camp also challenged Sotto to present evidence that Sarah violated Philippine laws, which could lead to her disqualification.

“We encourage Mayor Vico Sotto to provide proof to back his allegations,” Gialogo said.

GMA News Online reached out to Sotto for comment on the matter but he has yet to reply as of posting time.

In an interview, Comelec Chairman George Garcia cited Republic Act No. 9225 or the Dual Citizenship Act and said dual citizens are allowed to run in the Philippine elections as long as they renounce their non-Filipino citizenship. 

He added the poll body would wait if any disqualification complaint will be lodged against Discaya.

“Maghihintay kami ng kaso kung may magpa-file pero again, ang isang dual citizen ay pwedeng makatakbo basta ire-renounce ang other citizenship,” he added.

(We will wait if a complaint will be filed but again, dual citizens are allowed to run as long as they renounce their other citizenship.) —AOL, GMA Integrated News

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