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Saturday, June 6, 2009

DUAL CITIZENSHIP?


[OFW-Netherlands] New OAV registrants surpasses 50,000 mark - DFA


27 May 2009

Dear Kababayan

Is it possible to extend voters registration maybe until end of October this year? It seems the deadline for all Filipinos to register on August 30, 2009, is too soon especially for Filipinos abroad. The Filipino people abroad who are no longer Filipino by virtue of marriage and immigration or permanent resident status, had changed their Filipino nationality and had acquired nationality or citizenship of their adopted country. I understand, to be able to vote in the coming election in the Philippines on May 2010, formerly Filipino must reacquire Filipino citizenship again through Dual Citizenship procedures, to be able to enjoy their right to vote in the Philippine election. Is it right?

This reacquisition of Filipino citizenship takes time to prepare the requirements and processing of the Dual citizen papers in every Philippine Embassies abroad. Considering the time and distance, location of the embassies, OFW and formerly Filipinos working time.

From my own observation a lot of formerly Filipinos abroad are not aware, and misinformed about their rights and the benefits of Dual citizen status beside reacquiring unlimited properties and investments.

There are not much and proper information about the importance of (formerly) Filipinos' participation in the national election in the Philippines as our contribution to effect changes for good governance and good leadership in our country. The lack of interest is also brought by the comfort and convenience as an added value to the benefits afforded by their present foreign status.

There are many formerly Filipinos all over the world who desired to exercise their right to vote in the Philippines , but could not do so, due to lack of knowledge and proper guidelines on how to do it. They do not know how it would be possible to elect or vote the Filipino candidates at this advanced computerized election system (?)

This is a just a "thought" that came across my mind few days ago.


Best regards and God bless


Consorcia de Leon-Scholtz
World Mission for Peace Foundation
Brugge, Belgium

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