By: Dr Alexis Leones
The Philippine Language and Cultural Association of Australia (PLCAA) in partnership with Marikina Association of Sydney Australia (MASA) held a forum on Dual Citizenship and Overseas Absentee Voting on 18 July 2009 at the St. Marys Senior Citizens Centre, St. Marys.
Vice Consul Anthony Reyes encouraged Filipino-Australians to enjoy the “best of two worlds”. He highlighted the rights of a dual citizen in the Philippines: the right to practice one’s profession or occupation; the right to own properties, make investments and engage in business; the right to stay permanently in the Philippines; and the right to vote.
MASA’s Vice President Fidel Zaballa expressed the fact that he is an Australian citizen by choice and while enjoying his life in Australia, he remains a Filipino by heart and soul. “Nobody can take my being Filipino from me”, he says. “The opportunity of re-acquiring my rights as a Philippine citizen is a great bonus for me”.
The forum generated many questions and interests regarding rights that are regained with dual-citizenship. Popular questions included taxation laws, acquisition of properties, travel tax, dependents being dual citizens and use of Philippine passports. More than one third of the participants expressed their intentions to become dual citizens at the end of the forum. PLCAA Board Director Eric Ruiz acted as the facilitator of the forum.
Vice Consul Anthony Reyes indicated that the Philippine Consulate is making their services accessible to the Filipino-Australians in different areas of New South Wales through scheduled visits. Applicants for dual citizenship should complete the application by 15 August 2009 in order to be eligible to vote in the 2010 Philippine Presidential and Senatorial election.
The Philippine Consulate General in Sydney will process applications for dual citizenship on Saturday, 1 August 2009, from 10:00 am till 12:00 noon at the St. Marys Senior Citizens Centre, corner Great Western Highway and Mamre Road , St. Marys (entry via driveway at the back of the Don Bosco Youth Centre).
Applicants should bring all the required documents, completed application forms and the fee payment of ninety dollars (AU$90). Further information on dual citizenship can be found at http://www.philippineconsulate.com.au/
The Philippine Language and Cultural Association of Australia (PLCAA) in partnership with Marikina Association of Sydney Australia (MASA) held a forum on Dual Citizenship and Overseas Absentee Voting on 18 July 2009 at the St. Marys Senior Citizens Centre, St. Marys.
Vice Consul Anthony Reyes encouraged Filipino-Australians to enjoy the “best of two worlds”. He highlighted the rights of a dual citizen in the Philippines: the right to practice one’s profession or occupation; the right to own properties, make investments and engage in business; the right to stay permanently in the Philippines; and the right to vote.
MASA’s Vice President Fidel Zaballa expressed the fact that he is an Australian citizen by choice and while enjoying his life in Australia, he remains a Filipino by heart and soul. “Nobody can take my being Filipino from me”, he says. “The opportunity of re-acquiring my rights as a Philippine citizen is a great bonus for me”.
The forum generated many questions and interests regarding rights that are regained with dual-citizenship. Popular questions included taxation laws, acquisition of properties, travel tax, dependents being dual citizens and use of Philippine passports. More than one third of the participants expressed their intentions to become dual citizens at the end of the forum. PLCAA Board Director Eric Ruiz acted as the facilitator of the forum.
Vice Consul Anthony Reyes indicated that the Philippine Consulate is making their services accessible to the Filipino-Australians in different areas of New South Wales through scheduled visits. Applicants for dual citizenship should complete the application by 15 August 2009 in order to be eligible to vote in the 2010 Philippine Presidential and Senatorial election.
The Philippine Consulate General in Sydney will process applications for dual citizenship on Saturday, 1 August 2009, from 10:00 am till 12:00 noon at the St. Marys Senior Citizens Centre, corner Great Western Highway and Mamre Road , St. Marys (entry via driveway at the back of the Don Bosco Youth Centre).
Applicants should bring all the required documents, completed application forms and the fee payment of ninety dollars (AU$90). Further information on dual citizenship can be found at http://www.philippineconsulate.com.au/
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