Obtaining Philippines Citizenship

[David B]

I can find no reference to or discussion of expats obtaining Philippines citizenship.  I must be doing something wrong. Thoughts or feedback?  

[scott h]

Good question Dave. Short answer is that the Philippines wants the money that you bring, but not you to vote .

Don't take this as gospel but just to give you an idea. To become a Phil citizen you must be a resident for 10 years, take a language proficiency test (tagolog or one of the major dialects) and renounce your USA citizenship. (there goes your SS benefits loll).

The only benefits of becoming a citizen is to own land (most of us are married to Pinays so who cares) own a business (same answer), vote (big whoopee) and get a senior citizen discount.

In all the years I have been on this board, and all the blogs I have read, I have no personal knowledge of any expat becoming a citizen here.

[mogo51]

Why would you bother?

[David B]

Really? So many mentions of this new adopted home that one loves and nobody has taken that step? I've read posts about renouncing ones native citizenship, wouldn't they need a new one? 

[David B]

So you can't become naturalized in the RP and retain dual citizenship?  Yeah,  who needs that? But they allow natives to naturalize in other countries and have dual? Just another. ..... never mind.  

[scott h]

Another good question Dave. Part of my answer is going to be only MY opinion. The Filipino people are extremely proud and jealously guard citizenship access.

Now take my wife, it was quite easy for her to "regain" her citizenship and become a dual citizen. But for me, a foreigner, non Asian (Filipino) they make it extremely difficult.

Again my opinion only, they really don't want an American (insert any nationality here) to come here run for office, and start changing the status quo.

An example of the mentality is a quote from President Quezon "I would rather live in a country run like hell, then live in a country run like America" (paraphrased)

 

[robert k]

38 minutes ago, scott h said:

Another good question Dave. Part of my answer is going to be only MY opinion. The Filipino people are extremely proud and jealously guard citizenship access.

Now take my wife, it was quite easy for her to "regain" her citizenship and become a dual citizen. But for me, a foreigner, non Asian (Filipino) they make it extremely difficult.

Again my opinion only, they really don't want an American (insert any nationality here) to come here run for office, and start changing the status quo.

An example of the mentality is a quote from President Quezon "I would rather live in a country run like hell, then live in a country run like America" (paraphrased)

 

And a shame it is he didn't live to see his dream come true.

Not that I'm totally thrilled with the USA these days.

Edited June 6, 2016 by robert k

[Queenie O.]

1 hour ago, David B said:

Really? So many mentions of this new adopted home that one loves and nobody has taken that step? I've read posts about renouncing ones native citizenship, wouldn't they need a new one? 

Not familiar with other countries' laws. But in order to become a Filipino citizen, you would have to renounce your American citizenship, which is very difficult to do.

[scott h]

36 minutes ago, Queenie O. said:

Not familiar with other countries' laws. But in order to become a Filipino citizen, you would have to renounce your American citizenship, which is very difficult to do.

Just a quick story, was playing craps at the casino last week, a gent in his late 60's early 70's sat down and started playing, said hi to him and could tell he was American. Turned out he has lived here for 40 years, married and owns several businesses. Makes a good living by all appearances. Asked him "the businesses in your wife's name??" He said "Naturally".

This gent spoke pretty good Tagalog to the staff. If a guy like this doesn't see the need to get Phil Citizenship, don't see why a bunch of new comers like us would either .

[Jack Peterson]

, when the Philippines legalized multiple citizenship and it no longer became mandatory to renounce foreign citizenship to obtain Filipino citizenship. These modifications were subsequently codified in Section 3 of Republic Act No. 9225,

Taken from  the oath of allegiance page. Full page here.

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oath_of_Allegiance_(Philippines)

Any Help?