“Citizenship of Gabby Lopez alone is a weak ground to deny ABS-CBN a new franchise” says Enrile

Former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile shared his opinion on the plight of ABS-CBN in securing a renewal of its franchise to operate. According to Enrile, the citizenship of Gabby Lopez alone is a weak ground to deny ABS-CBN a new franchise or to extend its old franchise.

“This dual citizenship is, in fact, recognized by our Congress under the dual citizenship law passed by it. And so under those circumstances, I personally believe that Gabby Lopez is qualified to own and managed a mass media broadcast business in our country, and that ABS-CBN Corporation is not disqualified because of him to engaged in mass media broadcast business under a provision of our Constitution which says – “The ownership and management of mass media shall be limited to citizens of the Philippines . . . .” said Enrile.

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Here is the full post of Enrile:

“GABBY LOPEZ AND
HIS CITIZENSHIP

The citizenship of Gabby Lopez alone is a weak ground to deny ABS-CBN a new franchise or to extend its old franchise. I understand Gabby Lopez was born in the United States with parents who were both citizens of the Philippines. Under that factual situation, Gabby Lopez, at birth, acquired the status of being a natural born citizen of the United States by virtue of the principle of JUS SOLI ( law of the soil or place of birth), which is generally followed to determine the citizenship of the United States.

Also at birth, Gabby Lopez simultaneously acquired the status of being a natural born citizen of the Philippines by virtue of the principle of JUS SANGUINIS (law of nationality or ethnicity), which is generally followed to determine Philippine citizenship.

Gabby Lopez (and all Filipinos similarly situated like him) was never required under our Constitution to elect and choose which of his two citizenship he would retain or follow. Both attached to him at birth without any choice or act on his part. From the view point of US law, he is a natural born American.

At the same time, from the view point of Philippine law, he is a natural born Filipino. This dual citizenship is, in fact, recognized by our Congress under the dual citizenship law passed by it. And so under those circumstances, I personally believe that Gabby Lopez is qualified to own and managed a mass media broadcast business in our country, and that ABS-CBN Corporation is not disqualified because of him to engaged in mass media broadcast business under a provision of our Constitution which says – “The ownership and management of mass media shall be limited to citizens of the Philippines . . . .”

(Photo source: Facebook – @Juan Ponce Enrile)