Yasay admits to CA: ‘I was granted US citizenship in 1986’

Foreign Affairs Sec. Perfecto Yasay. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/JOAN BONDOC

(Updated, 10:57 a.m.) Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. finally admitted before the Commission on Appointments (CA) on Wednesday that he became a US citizen in 1986.

Yasay made the admission before the CA’s committee on foreign affairs when Occidental Mindoro Rep. Josephine Sato asked him to answer categorically with a yes or no whether he once became a US citizen.

Sato noted that when Yasay first appeared before the panel last February 22, he categorically denied that he became an American citizen.

BACKSTORY: Yasay admits naturalization try, but insists he isn’t US citizen

But after that hearing, the congresswoman said the nominee handed her an envelope containing a certificate of loss of nationality of the US dated June 28, 2016.

The envelope, she said, also contained an affidavit dated February 23, 1993, which states that Yasay was granted US citizenship by the US District Court, district of New Jersey.

But the same affidavit also showed his admission that he was “ineligible and disqualified” to become US citizen as he had no intention to reside in the US.

“Mr. chairman, this clearly show that he has admitted that at some point in time particularly on November 26, 1986, he was granted an American citizen and up to this very moment, he would tell us now that he never was an American citizen,” Sato said.

“So I just want to categorically again ask him and for him to answer to categorically yes or no whether at one point in time in your life, were you ever an American citizen. Just a yes or no, Mr. Chair,” the lawmaker added.

Responding to Sato, Yasay said: “I wish I could answer that question with a yes or no but as directly as I could in answering that question, I have always admitted that I was granted US citizenship. That’s my answer.”

READ: Yasay apologizes for ‘misleading’ Commission on Appointments

“I was granted US citizenship (on) November 26, 1986 but it’s my position that that grant of the US citizenship at that time was void…” Yasay added.

The panel later held an executive session and decided whether to confirm or reject Yasay’s appointment. IDL