Gabby Lopez voted in 2016 US polls as dual citizen: Lagman
ADVERTISEMENT

Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
Gabby Lopez voted in 2016 US polls as dual citizen: Lagman
ABS-CBN News
Published Jun 08, 2020 07:00 PM PHT

MANILA - Congressmen on Monday questioned former ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio "Gabby" Lopez III's allegiance and citizenship, taking issue with his voting record both in the Philippines and in the United States and possession of 2 passports.
MANILA - Congressmen on Monday questioned former ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio "Gabby" Lopez III's allegiance and citizenship, taking issue with his voting record both in the Philippines and in the United States and possession of 2 passports.
Lopez, who appeared again in a joint congressional hearing on ABS-CBN's application for a new operating franchise, admitted casting his vote in the US elections in 2016.
Lopez, who appeared again in a joint congressional hearing on ABS-CBN's application for a new operating franchise, admitted casting his vote in the US elections in 2016.
He said he has also been voting in Philippine elections since returning to the country in 1986.
He said he has also been voting in Philippine elections since returning to the country in 1986.
But having a foreign passport and participating in elections in a foreign country were "simply attributes of dual citizenship," said Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman.
But having a foreign passport and participating in elections in a foreign country were "simply attributes of dual citizenship," said Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman.
ADVERTISEMENT
Citing immigration records, Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga said Lopez used his US passport more than he used his Philippine passport since 2002, the year his application for recognition as a Filipino citizen was granted.
Citing immigration records, Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga said Lopez used his US passport more than he used his Philippine passport since 2002, the year his application for recognition as a Filipino citizen was granted.
Lagman said the recognition granted by the Philippine justice department was merely a "confirmation" and not a "perfection" of the fact that Lopez was a natural-born Filipino citizen.
Lagman said the recognition granted by the Philippine justice department was merely a "confirmation" and not a "perfection" of the fact that Lopez was a natural-born Filipino citizen.
Some congressmen insisted that Lopez's dual citizenship violated the constitutional restriction on foreign ownership in mass media, when he served as head of ABS-CBN.
Some congressmen insisted that Lopez's dual citizenship violated the constitutional restriction on foreign ownership in mass media, when he served as head of ABS-CBN.
"Yun po ang aming pag-uusapan dito sa Congress sa pagpapasya -kung kayo ay bibigyan ng bagong prangkisa; kung kayo, sa inyong isip, salita at sa gawa, at base na sa inyong sagot, ay naging isang tunay na Pilipino," Barzaga said.
"Yun po ang aming pag-uusapan dito sa Congress sa pagpapasya -kung kayo ay bibigyan ng bagong prangkisa; kung kayo, sa inyong isip, salita at sa gawa, at base na sa inyong sagot, ay naging isang tunay na Pilipino," Barzaga said.
(In deciding whether to give you a new franchise, we will discuss whether you became a genuine Filipino in thought, in word, and in deed.)
(In deciding whether to give you a new franchise, we will discuss whether you became a genuine Filipino in thought, in word, and in deed.)
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT