Arroyo bill deems dual citizen Pinoys qualified to run for public office, appointive post

Former president and House Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has filed a bill allowing Filipinos with dual citizenship to run for public office or be appointed in public office without renouncing their foreign citizenship, saying it is the fair thing to do.

Arroyo made this proposal under House Bill 486 which seeks to amend Republic Act 9225 or the Citizen Retention and Reacquisition Act by providing that those seeking public office, whether in an elective or appointed post, would be deemed qualified based on the requirements set by the Constitution at the time of the filing of the candidacy or at the time of nomination for the appointment without having to make personal and sworn renunciation of any and all foreign citizenship before any public officer authorized to administer an oath.

In pushing for the bill, Arroyo said the Citizen Retention and Requisition Act was passed to give a way for Filipinos residing abroad, natural born or naturalized in the country where they reside, to retain and re-acquire their Filipino citizenship subject to certain conditions, not to restrain them for participation in Philippine politics.

“While dual citizens are given the right to vote in the Philippine elections under the existing Iaw, those seeking public office or appointment to public office are given a disincentive under RA 9225 by ‘requiring them to make a personal and sworn renunciation of any and all foreign citizenship before any public officer authorized to administer an oath.’ To them, it is irrelevant and out of context since it clearly discriminates against Filipinos living abroad,” Arroyo said.

“It also belittles their strategic role in sustaining the national economy through their hard-earned money in the form of remittances,” added the former Philippine leader.

Arroyo also argued that the existing law preventing dual citizens from being appointed in or running for public office without renouncing their foreign citizenship cuts off long time proven linkages with several Filipino organization abroad who continue to bring home exemplary knowledge, special skills and huge donations and different kinds of assistance especially medical missions which serve a great number of indigent Filipino communities back in the Philippines.

“As  catalysts  of development  in the Philippines, it would  be a disservice to our kababayans abroad if they are not accorded the same rights as those staying in the country. While present laws allow them to exercise their right to vote and make their voice heard in Philippine elections, it is only fair if they are given the chance to participate in local elections and be appointed to public office without jeopardizing the citizenship they have acquired from their host country,” she said.

“In view of the foregoing, I therefore urge my colleagues to ensure the expeditious passage of this bill into law,” she added. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News