PH Embassy In Washington Issues Important Reminder On Reacquiring Philippine Citizenship And Balikbayan Privilege

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Filipinos in the United States and the Caribbean are reminded that under Philippine law, natural-born Filipinos who became naturalized citizens of another country are deemed to have lost their Philippine citizenship and are regarded as former Filipinos, unless they take formal steps to reacquire Philippine citizenship.

In an advisory released by the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. today January 15, it said former Filipinos "CANNOT" use their old Philippine passports for travel or for other purposes, even if still valid, "because they are considered foreigners and doing so would violate Philippine passport laws".

Quoting Republic Act No. 9225, the embassy said former natural-born Filipinos who lost their Philippine citizenship by foreign naturalization may reacquire Philippine citizenship and become dual citizens.

"This allows them to get a Philippine passport, live in the Philippines indefinitely, own property without the restrictions applied to foreigners, exercise their right to vote, and enjoy the rights of Filipino citizens, subject to existing laws," it said.

It noted that minor children of those who reacquire under R.A. 9225 may also derive Philippine citizenship and enjoy the same rights and privileges.

The embassy further explained that "this is to be distinguished from cases where a person already held dual citizenship and later expressly renounced Philippine citizenship (for example, a dual Filipino-U.S. citizen who executed an affidavit of renunciation)."

"Such cases are not covered by R.A. 9225 and therefore cannot reacquire Philippine citizenship under that law," it added.

Former Filipinos who do not wish to reacquire Philippine citizenship may still travel to the Philippines without a visa and a return ticket, and stay for up to one (1) year under the Balikbayan visa-free privilege, subject to existing guidelines.

It said former Filipinos who would like to reacquire their Philippine citizenship under R.A. 9225 may apply at the Embassy, Consulates, or at consular outreach missions.

The Embassy, however, did not explain why it has to issue such reminder.

It would be recalled that the Philippine Embassy in Washington also advised Filipinos in the US to remain vigilant on issues regarding dual citizenship, such as renouncing another nationality, amidst a proposed law in the US Senate which if enacted will require citizens of the United States to have a sole and exclusive allegiance to the US.

This proposed bill has somewhat created confusion amongst Filipino-Americans who might eventually be forced to choose allegiance between the US and the Philippines.

The Philippine Embassy also noted that previous challenges to dual and multiple citizenship had not materialized.