MANILA – Manila 6th District congressional candidate Joey Uy has defended his Filipino citizenship after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Second Division nullified his proclamation as the winner of the 2025 midterm elections due to questions over his eligibility.
In its ruling, the Comelec said Uy failed to meet the constitutional requirement of being a natural-born Filipino, noting that he was born in 1962 to Chinese parents.
While his father only became a naturalized Filipino citizen in 1967, Uy was later issued an Identification Certificate by the Bureau of Immigration, not conferred natural-born citizenship at birth.
The ruling came despite Uy’s narrow electoral victory over incumbent Cong. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr., where he garnered 64,746 votes compared to Abante’s 63,358.
Reacting to the decision, Uy described the ruling as “confusing and concerning,” insisting he is qualified to serve in Congress.
“Ipinanganak po ako sa Sta. Mesa, Maynila. Ang aking ama ay naturalized Filipino ngunit ang aking ina ay natural-born Filipino. Kung ang inyong una ay natural-born at ang Pilipinas ang iyong lupang sinilangan, ‘di ba, natural-born Filipino,” Uy said. “Ako po ay Pilipino.”
He also invoked his longstanding public service and the will of his constituents: “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. Sana naman po ay mapakinggan ang kanilang boses,” he added. “Vox Populi, Vox Dei. The voice of the people is the voice of God.”
Uy, a former city councilor since 2004, is expected to file a motion for reconsideration./PN
