CAN FOREIGNERS BECOME CITIZENS OF THE PHILIPPINES?

More on the topic of foreigners citizens in the Philippines: Long-term foreign lease over lands in the Philippines

• Generally, a Filipino citizen is one whose either parent is a citizen of the Philippines

• Filipino citizenship is based on blood relationship and not on one’s place of birth

• Those who do not have Filipino blood can obtain Philippine citizenship

Martha Gellhorn once said, “Citizenship is a tough occupation which obliges the citizen to make his own informed opinion and stand by it.”

First, who are considered the citizens of the Philippines?

The law says:

Section 1, Article 4 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution enumerates who are the citizens of the Philippines as follows:

1. Those who are citizens of the Philippines at the adoption of this Constitution;
2. Those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the Philippines;
3. Those born before January 17, 1973, of Filipino mothers, who elect Philippine citizenship upon reaching the age of majority; and
4. Those who are naturalized in accordance with law?

Based on number 4 above, what is naturalization?

The Supreme Court says:

Naturalization signifies the act of formally adopting a foreigner into the political body of a nation by clothing him or her with the privileges of a citizen. Thus, a person who is not a Filipino citizen may become a citizen of the Philippines through the process of naturalization.

Take note however that under current and existing laws of the Philippines, there are three (3) ways by which a foreigner or an alien may become citizen of the Philippines by naturalization. They are the following:

1. Administrative Naturalization;
2. Judicial Naturalization; and
3. Legislative Naturalization

In naturalization proceedings, it is the burden or duty of the foreign applicant to prove not only his own good moral character but also the good moral character of his or her witnesses, who must be credible persons.

What is a “credible person”?

Within the purview of the naturalization law, a “credible person” is not only an individual who has not been previously convicted of a crime; has no police record; who has not perjured in the past; or whose affidavit or testimony is not incredible. What must be credible is not the declaration made but the person making the declaration. This implies that such witness of the foreign applicant must have a good standing in the community; that he reputed to be trustworthy and reliable; and that his word may be taken on its face value.

In one case, the Supreme court stressed that the admission to citizenship is one of the highest privileges that the country can confer upon a foreigner. It is a privilege that should not be conferred except upon persons fully qualified for it, and upon strict compliance with the law.

Indeed, foreigners can become citizens of the Philippines.

What is an Administrative Naturalization? A related article will be posted in few days.

---

Alburo Alburo and Associates Law Offices specializes in business law and labor law consulting. For inquiries, you may reach us at info@alburolaw.com, or dial us at (02)7745-4391/0917-5772207.

All rights reserved.

---

SUBSCRIBE NOW FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES!

[email-subscribers-form id=”4″]