More than 100,000 have reacquired Pinoy citizenship

MANILA, Philippines - More than 100,000 people have reacquired Filipino citizenship under the Dual Citizenship Law, the immigration commissioner said yesterday.

In a statement, Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. said 116,059 individuals have reacquired Filipino citizenship since they began implementing Republic Act 9225 in April 2004.

Of the 116,059, 36,851 filed their petitions at the BI main office in Manila, while 79,208 applied at the various Philippine consulates abroad, he added.

David encouraged former Filipinos to avail of the benefits under the law: the rights to vote, run for public office, own real property, secure a Philippine passport, and stay in the Philippines.

“They can also enter and exit the country anytime or stay here for as long as you wish without the need to apply for an extension of stay,” he said.

However, the law allows applicants to acquire dual citizenship only if the laws of their foreign country allow it, he added.

Maricel Salcedo Sulit, BI legal officer who heads the task force on RA 9225, said Americans topped the list of approved applicants, followed by Britons and Canadians.

Most of the dual citizens filed their petitions at Philippine consulates in Washington, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Honolulu, Ottawa, Vancouver, Toronto, and London, she added.

Applicants for dual citizenship must pay a fee of P3,000, and their papers are immediately processed if all documentary requirements are submitted.