Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

International travellers  arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport festooned with Christmas decorations  on December 18, 2023 in Pasay City. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

CHRISTMAS-OFW

Harlene Delgado

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:632px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/173347322419420231218-ofw-gift-giving-JC-0219.jpg" style="width:632px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">International travelers arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport festooned with Christmas decorations  on December 18, 2023 in Pasay City. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/file</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) has encouraged Filipino immigrants abroad who are naturalized citizens of foreign countries to re-acquire their Philippine citizenship.</p><p>In celebration of Overseas Filipinos Month, CFO director Rodrigo Garcia Jr. said they want Filipinos overseas to be in touch with their homeland, noting that re-acquiring their Philippine citizenship will not forfeit their foreign citizenship.</p><p>&quot;Mura lang po at it doesn&#x27;t mean na nag dual kayo ng Pilipinas, matatanggal na &#x27;yung foreign citizenship niyo. Hindi po. So you have the best of both worlds,&quot; Garcia said.</p><p>Through this, Garcia said overseas Filipinos can still visit the country, own lands, and establish businesses.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/focus/04/04/18/remember-them-troubled-ofws-who-made-headlines">Remember them? Troubled OFWs who made headlines</a></div><p>&quot;Gusto po namin na kahit nandun sila, ang puso nila ay nandito at yung mga properties nila ay kailangan din nilang mapakinabangan. Gusto rin natin silang maging partners for economic development,&quot; he noted.</p><p>Garcia said they also want overseas Filipinos to be able to vote in light with the Overseas Voting Law that allows Filipino citizens abroad to cast their vote in national elections.</p><div><strong>CHECKING FOREIGN SPOUSES</strong></div><p>Meanwhile, Garcia said that the commission is also ensuring the welfare of Filipinos who will migrate overseas with their foreign spouses.</p><p>Some of the requirements include attending pre-departure orientation seminars and guidance counselling.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/11/13/protection-for-ofws-tackled-in-dmw-budget-deliberation-at-senate-936">Protection for OFWs tackled in DMW budget deliberation at Senate</a></div><p>&quot;Yung mga nakapag-asawa ng mga mas kilala sa mga &#x27;AFAM&#x27; &#x27;yung mga nag- &#x27;AFAM&#x27; na aalis, we check the identity nung kanilang mapapangasawa whether wala po sila sa blacklist ng Interpol or ng ating Immigration to make sure na protektado po &#x27;yung mga Filipino o Filipina natin na nag-asawa ng foreigners,&quot; the official noted.</p><p>Garcia underscored the need to screen foreigner spouses as there are instances when Filipinos are being trafficked. </p><p>&quot;Yung mga mag-aasawa ng foreigner taon-taon na pupunta sa Pilipinas iba ibang lugar pupunta, mag-aasawa pero &#x27;yun pala ay nakapag-asawa na ng iba. Tapos pag dinala yung napangasawang Pinoy o Pinay, gagamitin sa ibang paraan tulad ng trafficking o labor slavery,&quot; according to Garcia. </p><p>The CFO official said foreign spouses of migrating Filipinos undergo checking in their database connected to the Bureau of Immigration to flag those who are considered undesirable aliens.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zM8if5FooXc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The Commission on Filipinos Overseas said they want Filipinos overseas to be in touch with their homeland, noting that re-acquiring their Philippine citizenship will not forfeit their foreign citizenship.</p>

The Commission on Filipinos Overseas said they want Filipinos overseas to be in touch with their homeland, noting that re-acquiring their Philippine citizenship will not forfeit their foreign citizenship.

Overseas Filipinos encouraged to re-acquire Philippine citizenship

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Overseas Filipinos encouraged to re-acquire Philippine citizenship

Harlene Delgado,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 06, 2024 04:29 PM PHT

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