MANILA — The camp of Pasig City mayoral candidate Sarah Discaya has insisted that having a foreign passport does not automatically disqualify a candidate from running for public office.

The legal counsel of Discaya argued in a statement that his client committed "no legal violation" in relation to her British passport and that there was no basis for a disqualification case against her.

The issue stemmed from a Facebook post of Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto last week where he addressed a petition for disqualification filed by Pacifico "Curlee" Discaya II, 2nd nominee of Pinoy A.K.O (Adhikain ng Katutubo at Obrero) Partylist.

In that post, Sotto said: "Kung tutuusin, parang ako nga 'yung may grounds for disqualification laban sa katunggali ko para mayor eh. Dahil ginamit niya pa diumano ang kanyang British Passport ngayong 2025 lamang. (To affirm your British citizenship by using your UK/British passport AFTER filing your certificate of candidacy constitutes a continuing 'act of allegiance' to a foreign state, and is not allowed under Philippine election law.)"

'DUAL CITIZEN BY BIRTH'

Discaya is a dual citizen by birth as she was born in London to Filipino overseas workers, her lawyer Edward Gialogo said.

"Being a dual citizen by birth, she automatically acquired British citizenship by being born in London, while retaining her Filipino citizenship," he added.

Gialogo pointed out that under Philippine law, Discaya is not required to make any legal action to be eligible to run in the midterm elections.

He cited a Supreme Court decision that "affirms that individuals who are dual citizens by birth are not barred from running for public office."

"We encourage Mayor Vico Sotto to provide proof to back his allegations," Gialogo said.

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