CFO urges Filipino immigrants to reacquire Philippine citizenship

The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) has encouraged Filipino immigrants abroad with foreign citizenship to re-acquire their Philippine citizenship.

Rodrigo Garcia Jr., CFO Policy, Planning, and Research Division chief, emphasized during Overseas Filipinos Month that acquiring Filipino citizenship upon naturalization in another country is affordable at a processing fee of $50 or roughly P2,900 under Republic Act 9225, the Dual Citizenship Law.

Garcia noted that dual citizens can own land and businesses in the Philippines and participate in national elections under Republic Act 10590, the Overseas Voting Act.

The CFO encourages dual citizenship to promote economic development by allowing Filipinos abroad to establish businesses and invest in their home country.

Additionally, the commission ensures the welfare of Filipinos migrating overseas with foreign spouses by conducting pre-departure orientation seminars and screening for undesirable aliens through a database connected to the Bureau of Immigration.