Luis “Joey” Chua Uy maintained that he is a Filipino citizen despite the nullification of his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) and proclamation as the congressman-elect of Manila’s 6th district.
In a statement on Thursday, June 19, Uy set the record straight on his citizenship, clarifying that he was born in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
“Ang aking ama ay naturalized Filipino ngunit ang aking ina ay natural-born Filipino. Kung ang inyong ina ay natural-born at ang Pilipinas ang iyong lupang sinilangan, ‘di ba, natural-born Filipino,” his statement read.
“Ako po ay Pilipino,” it added.
Uy stated that the City of Manila was where he grew up in, studied, and began serving as its councilor, for several terms, since 2004.
“Nagsalita na po ang mamamayan ng ika-anim na distrito kung sino ang nais nilang maging kinatawan sa Kongreso sa pamamagitan ng isang malaya at demokratikong halalan,” he said.
“Sana naman po ay mapakinggan ang kanilang boses,” he added, stating that he only wants to continue his over two-decade service as congressman for Manila’s 6th district.
Uy’s statement came after the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Second Division cancelled his proclamation as the congressman-elect of Manila’s 6th district. Instead, the poll body declared Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. the duly elected representative.
The latter had previously filed a petition to cancel Uy’s COC, indicating issues with his citizenship. The poll body ruled in favor of Abante, stating that both of Uy’s parents were non-Filipino citizens at the time of his birth.
"Since natural-born citizenship requires that the individual be a citizen of the Philippines from birth without having to perform any act to acquire or perfect such citizenship, Respondent cannot validly claim natural-born status," the COMELEC Second Division’s ruling stated.
