Passport

here’s a breakdown of the provided text, focusing on the key details and potential implications:

Core Issue: The article discusses the revelation that Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. acquired a Maltese passport in 2016.

Key Players and Statements:

DND Spokesperson Andolong:
States the motive behind the rumor is “clear and known to Secretary Teodoro.”
Suggests the timing of the article is part of this motive.
Confirms Teodoro acquired a Maltese passport in 2016 but doesn’t explain why or how.
The Manila Times: The publication that broke the story.
Gilberto Teodoro Jr.: The Defense Secretary in question.
Bureau of Immigration (BI) Spokesman Dana Sandoval:
Neither confirmed nor denied if Teodoro renounced his Maltese citizenship before running for senator in 2022.
Stated the BI would submit documents if required by authorities but refused to identify them.
Said the maltese passport was not surrendered to the BI but to the “concerned government” office. cited the Data Privacy Law when asked about the specific documents Teodoro submitted to the BI.
Clarified that renunciation of foreign citizenship is handled by the BI only for foreign nationals naturalizing as Filipinos. For natural-born Filipinos becoming foreign nationals, the renunciation is not with the BI.

Potential Description for Maltese Citizenship:

“Golden Passport” Program (Citizenship by Investment): The article suggests Teodoro might have acquired Maltese citizenship through this program, which allows wealthy individuals to gain EU citizenship through substantial financial investments. Illegality of the Program: The European Court of Justice deemed this program illegal, arguing it undermines the concept of EU citizenship based on genuine ties, not just financial contributions.
Program requirements: Reports indicate a minimum contribution of €600,000 (approx. P39.7 million), property purchase/lease, and a charity donation. Oath of allegiance to Malta is also required.

Republic Act (RA) 9225 (Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003): This law allows natural-born Filipinos who become naturalized citizens of other countries to retain or reacquire their Philippine citizenship.
Dual Citizens’ Rights: Under RA 9225, dual citizens have full civil and political rights (voting, property ownership).
Renunciation of Foreign Allegiance: Crucially, the article highlights that dual citizens must renounce foreign allegiance if they seek to hold public office.
positions requiring Exclusive Allegiance: This includes high-level government positions like president, vice president, and members of Congress. Requirement for Public Office: “One must explicitly renounce foreign allegiances if they aim to run for or occupy high government offices.”

unanswered Questions/Areas of Uncertainty:

Why Teodoro acquired Maltese citizenship.
How Teodoro acquired Maltese citizenship.
Whether Teodoro surrendered and renounced his Maltese citizenship before filing his certificate of candidacy in 2022.
What specific documents Teodoro submitted to the BI.
* Which “concerned government” office received the surrendered Maltese passport.

Overall Narrative:

The article presents a possibly controversial situation regarding Defense Secretary teodoro’s dual citizenship. While the DND confirms the Maltese passport, the details surrounding its acquisition and any subsequent renunciation remain unclear, particularly in light of Philippine laws requiring renunciation of foreign allegiance for holding public office. The BI’s statements add to the ambiguity, citing privacy laws and clarifying the process of renunciation. The article also touches upon the controversial nature of Malta’s “golden passport” program.