18 May 2006 — Philippine Ambassador to Vienna, Austria Linglingay F. Lacanlale reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that a Nutrition Scientist employed at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reacquired Philippine citizenship following her oath-taking at the Embassy on 16 May 2006.

Ambassador Lacanlale said that Ms. Trinidad Palad Trinidad, a naturalized Canadian citizen since 2004, swore allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines in simple rites administered by Consul General Maria Theresa T. Almojuela, and witnessed by the Ambassador and officers and staff of the Embassy.  (Please refer to the accompanying photo release on this subject matter.)

After the oath-taking ceremony, Ambassador Lacanlale presented Ms. Trinidad with a pin bearing the image of the Philippine flag, and a kit of information materials on her rights and privileges under the new status as a dual citizen under Republic Act 9225, or the Philippine Dual Citizenship Act.

The Ambassador said that Ms. Trinidad immediately applied for a new Philippine passport after taking her oath, and her application was promptly approved and processed by the Embassy.

Ms. Trinidad, born in Sampaloc, Manila and currently a permanent resident in Austria, thanked the Embassy for its assistance and likewise expressed appreciation to the Philippine Government for having enacted the Dual Citizenship Act.

Ambassador Lacanlale said that the dual citizenship-related applications and inquiries received by the Embassy come mainly from non-Austrian former Filipinos who are employed in the international organizations based in Vienna.  This is because, Austrian law at the moment only permits dual citizenship “under very exceptional circumstances,” effectively barring Filipino-Austrians from reacquiring their Philippine citizenship, the Ambassador explained. END