The camp of Pasig City mayoral candidate Sarah Discaya has said she is qualified to run in the May 12 elections even if she is a British passport holder.
Atty. Edward Gialogo, Discaya’s legal counsel, said the mayoral candidate committed no legal violation as she is a dual citizen by birth.
“There was no violation or wrongdoing on the part of Mrs. Sarah Discaya that can be used as grounds for disqualification,” he said in a press release.
“Being a dual citizen by birth, she automatically acquired British citizenship by being born in London, while retaining her Filipino citizenship. Under Philippine law, she is not required to undertake any legal action to participate in the upcoming May 12, 2025 elections,” he added.
Gialogo cited the Supreme Court decision in Gana-Carait vs. Comelec, which states that individuals who are dual citizens by birth are not barred from running for public office.
Discaya’s camp made the statement after Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto pointed out in a Facebook post that his rival is a holder of a British passport.
”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,” Sotto said.
(It seems that I’m the one who has grounds for disqualification against my rival for the mayoralty race. It’s because she supposedly used her British passport this 2025.)
Sotto made the remark after a disqualification complaint was lodged against him by Discaya’s husband. This complaint was junked by the poll body, according to the city mayor.
Discaya’s camp also challenged Sotto to present evidence that Sarah violated Philippine laws, which could lead to her disqualification.
“We encourage Mayor Vico Sotto to provide proof to back his allegations,” Gialogo said.
GMA News Online reached out to Sotto for comment on the matter but he has yet to reply as of posting time.
Sought for comment, Comelec Chairman George Garcia told GMA News Online that the poll body would wait if any disqualification complaint will be lodged against Discaya.
”We will wait for the proper case to be filed at the Comelec,” he said. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online’s Eleksyon 2025 microsite.
