Edu Manzano: By filing my COC, I renounced my other allegiances
MANILA, Philippines — “When I filed my certificate of candidacy (COC), I renounced my other allegiances.”
This was what actor and San Juan congressional bet Edu Manzano maintained on Wednesday after his COC was revoked by the Commission on Election (Comelec) Second Division.
The Comelec Second Division released its 15-page decision on Monday, citing that Manzano committed “false material representation of his citizenship.”
READ: Comelec Second Division revokes Edu Manzano’s congressional bid
Meanwhile, Manzano said he would appeal the decision, adding that he would bring his case to the Comelec en banc and to the Supreme Court.
READ: Manzano to appeal CoC cancellation
“I voted in ’92, ’95, ’98; I became a candidate in 2010, and then I became a candidate in 2016. So what happens there is every time you file a certificate of candidacy, there is a little oath there that you renounce your allegiance to any other country and you affirm your allegiance to your country,” Manzano said in an interview over ANC’s “Headstart.”
“So by virtue of that alone, you renounce any other allegiances you have,” Manzano added. “That is the difference between dual citizenship and dual allegiance.”
Manzano, who served the US Army from 1973 to 1977, said that since there was a war ongoing at that time, he said,” I was never asked to take an oath of allegiance, so I never swore for the U.S.”
When asked what is the status of his citizenship, he answered: “In their eyes (U.S.), I will always be an American. But based on the fact that I already renounced any other allegiances by virtue of signing my certificate of candidacy, it’s a very clear message that I am here to serve the interest of the Filipino people.” /muf
