Joey Uy seeks reversal of Comelec Second Division ruling
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Joey Uy seeks reversal of Comelec Second Division ruling
Photo from Joey Uy's official Facebook account

MANILA – Manila 6th District Representative-elect Joey Uy on Monday filed a motion for reconsideration seeking the reversal of the Commission on Elections Second Division decision.
MANILA – Manila 6th District Representative-elect Joey Uy on Monday filed a motion for reconsideration seeking the reversal of the Commission on Elections Second Division decision.
Uy's lawyer Atty. Edward Gialogo filed the motion at the Comelec main office in Intramuros on Monday.
Uy's lawyer Atty. Edward Gialogo filed the motion at the Comelec main office in Intramuros on Monday.
The Comelec Second Division earlier voided Uy's certificate of candidacy, resulting in the re-election of his rival, incumbent congressman Bienvenido "Benny" Abante.
The Comelec Second Division earlier voided Uy's certificate of candidacy, resulting in the re-election of his rival, incumbent congressman Bienvenido "Benny" Abante.
In the decision, the poll body ruled that Uy was not a natural-born citizen, contrary to what he indicated in his COC.
In the decision, the poll body ruled that Uy was not a natural-born citizen, contrary to what he indicated in his COC.
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Comelec said when Uy was born on March 15, 1962, his father was still a Chinese citizen who became a naturalized Filipino on August 28, 1967.
Comelec said when Uy was born on March 15, 1962, his father was still a Chinese citizen who became a naturalized Filipino on August 28, 1967.
His mother was a natural-born Filipino prior to her marriage in January 1944.
His mother was a natural-born Filipino prior to her marriage in January 1944.
The poll body in the Second Division's ruling sided with Abante that Uy's "false declaration in his COC" shows he committed "material misrepresentation" which is an election offense under the Omnibus Election Code.
The poll body in the Second Division's ruling sided with Abante that Uy's "false declaration in his COC" shows he committed "material misrepresentation" which is an election offense under the Omnibus Election Code.
In his motion for reconsideration, Uy asserted he is a natural-born Filipino.
In his motion for reconsideration, Uy asserted he is a natural-born Filipino.
"Si Cong. Joey Uy ay ipanganak noong 1962 sa ilalim ng 1935 Constitution. Sa ilalim ng ating 1935 Constitution, nakalagay po doon ang mga pinanganak sa Filipinong ina at foreigner na ama ay Filipino citizen kapag sila ay nag-elect ng Filipino citizenship kapag sila ay nakarating sa majority," Gialogo told reporters.
"Si Cong. Joey Uy ay ipanganak noong 1962 sa ilalim ng 1935 Constitution. Sa ilalim ng ating 1935 Constitution, nakalagay po doon ang mga pinanganak sa Filipinong ina at foreigner na ama ay Filipino citizen kapag sila ay nag-elect ng Filipino citizenship kapag sila ay nakarating sa majority," Gialogo told reporters.
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Uy said he complied with the said requirement under the 1935 Constitution.
Uy said he complied with the said requirement under the 1935 Constitution.
"'Yan pong election ng Philippine citizenship ay na-comply naman ni Cong. Joey Uy. Kaya po sinasabi natin na siya ay Filipino citizen. Kung ina-analyze natin yung 1935 Constitution, may discrimination doon sa mga nanay ay Filipino kumpara doon sa mga tatay ay Filipino," Gialogo said.
"'Yan pong election ng Philippine citizenship ay na-comply naman ni Cong. Joey Uy. Kaya po sinasabi natin na siya ay Filipino citizen. Kung ina-analyze natin yung 1935 Constitution, may discrimination doon sa mga nanay ay Filipino kumpara doon sa mga tatay ay Filipino," Gialogo said.
"Kasi kapag tatay mo ay Filipino, automatic natural born ka na kaagad eh. Pero kung ang nanay mo ay Filipino pero ang tatay mo ay foreigner, kailangan mo mag-elect ng Philippine citizenship. Kaya po ang discrimination na yan ay tinama na ng ating 1987 Constitution," he added.
"Kasi kapag tatay mo ay Filipino, automatic natural born ka na kaagad eh. Pero kung ang nanay mo ay Filipino pero ang tatay mo ay foreigner, kailangan mo mag-elect ng Philippine citizenship. Kaya po ang discrimination na yan ay tinama na ng ating 1987 Constitution," he added.
Gialogo cited the second sentence of Article IV Section 2 of the 1987 Constitution to support their case.
Gialogo cited the second sentence of Article IV Section 2 of the 1987 Constitution to support their case.
"May nakalagay po doon na yung mga tao na ipinanganak under the 1935 Constitution before the effectivity of the 1973 Constitution at nag-elect ng Philippine citizenship, sila ay deemed natural born citizen," he said.
"May nakalagay po doon na yung mga tao na ipinanganak under the 1935 Constitution before the effectivity of the 1973 Constitution at nag-elect ng Philippine citizenship, sila ay deemed natural born citizen," he said.
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Uy laid down the arguments on why the Comelec Second Division "grossly misapplied citizenship laws and jurisprudence" in his motion:
Uy laid down the arguments on why the Comelec Second Division "grossly misapplied citizenship laws and jurisprudence" in his motion:
-- Marriage to a foreigner alone does not cause loss of Filipino citizenship
-- Marriage to a foreigner alone does not cause loss of Filipino citizenship
-- Those born of Filipino mothers with an alien father, being natural-born Filipino citizens, need not elect Philippine citizenship
-- Those born of Filipino mothers with an alien father, being natural-born Filipino citizens, need not elect Philippine citizenship
-- Natural-born Filipino citizens include those born of Filipino mothers with an alien father
-- Natural-born Filipino citizens include those born of Filipino mothers with an alien father
The motion also questioned why the Comelec Second Division relied on the identification certificates presented by Abante, thus violating due process by not conducting a hearing on the documents.
The motion also questioned why the Comelec Second Division relied on the identification certificates presented by Abante, thus violating due process by not conducting a hearing on the documents.
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Uy also argued the petition filed by Abante was supposedly filed out of time.
Uy also argued the petition filed by Abante was supposedly filed out of time.
"The COMELEC Second Division gravely erred by characterizing Abante's Petition as one filed under Section 78, yet failing to dismiss it outright despite its filing beyond the mandatory 25-day statutory period," the petition read.
"The COMELEC Second Division gravely erred by characterizing Abante's Petition as one filed under Section 78, yet failing to dismiss it outright despite its filing beyond the mandatory 25-day statutory period," the petition read.
Gialogo said the Comelec should not have entertained Abante's petition filed last May, since the COC filing took place October 2024.
Gialogo said the Comelec should not have entertained Abante's petition filed last May, since the COC filing took place October 2024.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia on Tuesday said the case has been submitted for resolution. The division will raise the case to the Commission en banc and will be raffled to one of its members on Wednesday.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia on Tuesday said the case has been submitted for resolution. The division will raise the case to the Commission en banc and will be raffled to one of its members on Wednesday.
The poll body chief assured they will follow the prescribed periods of procedure in their rules.
The poll body chief assured they will follow the prescribed periods of procedure in their rules.
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Without pre-empting the en banc, Garcia said the date of birth and Constitution in effect during that time is crucial in cases questioning one's Filipino citizenship.
Without pre-empting the en banc, Garcia said the date of birth and Constitution in effect during that time is crucial in cases questioning one's Filipino citizenship.
"Pag ang nanay mo ay Filipino, Filipino ka. Pag ang tatay mo Filipino, depende sa kung anong konstitusyon. Pag ang tatay mo hindi Filipino, meron isang konstitusyon na nagsasabi na hindi ka Filipino. So yan po ang aalamin natin. Kailan ba siya pinanganak? Anong konstitusyon ang nag-gogovern sa pagkapanganak niya at anong mga dokumento ang nagsasabi na siya ay Filipino o hindi Filipino," he explained.
"Pag ang nanay mo ay Filipino, Filipino ka. Pag ang tatay mo Filipino, depende sa kung anong konstitusyon. Pag ang tatay mo hindi Filipino, meron isang konstitusyon na nagsasabi na hindi ka Filipino. So yan po ang aalamin natin. Kailan ba siya pinanganak? Anong konstitusyon ang nag-gogovern sa pagkapanganak niya at anong mga dokumento ang nagsasabi na siya ay Filipino o hindi Filipino," he explained.
Uy said he is ready to avail of all legal remedies, including bringing the case to the Supreme Court if necessary.
Uy said he is ready to avail of all legal remedies, including bringing the case to the Supreme Court if necessary.
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