According to the Comelec second division, Manzano is a “renegade” Filipino citizen because he “forfeited the priceless gift of Philippine citizenship” after serving in the United States army. The poll body declared, “It is undisputed that Respondent served in the US Armed Forces. Respondent, however, argues that he served in the US Armed Forces as a US citizen and at the same time retained his status as a natural-born Filipino citizen. We do not agree,” adding, “We hold that Respondent failed to reacquire his Philippine citizenship for non-compliance with the requirements of Republic Act No. 2630 and is thus ineligible to run for member, House of Representatives, representing the lone district of San Juan City.”
The second division of the Comelec also elaborated, “Without direct proof of his oath of allegiance being registered in the local civil registry in the place where he resides, Respondent cannot be considered to have reacquired his Philippine citizenship under our laws. Hence, Respondent is not a Filipino citizen at the time he filed his COC for member of the House of Representatives for the lone district of San Juan City.”
The petition ousting Manzano from his campaign was initiated by Sophia Patricia Gil, who was represented by her lawyer Maria Donnah Guia Lerona Camitan, while Manzano was represented by former Comelec chair Sixto Brillantes, Jr. and Melvin Malabanan.
Initially, Luie Tito Guia, who stands commissioner of the Comelec second division disagreed with the ruling, but he was outvoted by members Socorro Inting and Antonio Kho Jr.
However, apparently, according to Brillantes, Jr., Manzano has until May 13 to file a motion for reconsideration before the decision is final.