TWENTY-THREE U.S. citizens on Saipan reacquired their Filipino citizenship in an oath-taking ceremony conducted by Philippine Consul General Patrick John U. Hilado on Monday at Sun Palace Hotel in Susupe.
“Philippine law allows former Filipino citizens to reacquire their Filipino citizenship which makes them dual citizens,” said Hilado who is based on Guam.
He said the Philippine Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition Act of 2003 has benefited more than 100,000 Filipinos abroad, “primarily from the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand — they want to be dual citizens.”
He added, “Many Filipinos who have spent a number of years abroad usually want to retire back home, and or invest in property back home. You will notice that those that apply for dual citizenship have spent more than 30-40 years abroad.”
Hilado became the new Philippine consul general to Guam in May 2021, and this was his first official visit to the Northern Marianas as part of the five-day consular services on Saipan and Tinian.
He said they spent two days each on Saipan and Tinian to serve approximately 400 individuals who needed passport, notarial and other services.
“We will probably go to Rota sometime early next year,” Hilado added.
While on Saipan, Hilado also met with the leaders and members of Filipino community organizations at a gathering hosted by outgoing United Filipino Organization President Marcelo Masilungan at his residence in Dandan on Friday evening.
The Filipino-Americans who reacquired their Philippine citizenship pose for a photo with Philippine Consul General to Guam Patrick John U. Hilado at Sun Palace Hotel in Susupe.
