Senate Difice of the st rectarp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 26 JAN 21 P3:39 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session RECEIVED BY: SENATE S. No. 1675 Introduced by Senator FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN AN ACT GRANTING PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP TO LIPING ZHENG EXPLANATORY NOTE Dr. Liping Zheng is an accomplished economist, academic, philanthropist, and artist who has spent more than 17 years working and living in the Philippines. He has made significant contributions to international development, leading regional climate resilience programs across Asia, including the Philippines. He has also spearheaded philanthropic initiatives that have directly benefitted local communities, students, and artists in the country, and has actively engaged with and contributed to the Philippine art community. Dr. Zheng is a distinguished scholar and thought leader, and holds a PhD in Economics from Nankai University and a Master in Public Administration from Harvard University. He has served as a visiting researcher in economics at the University of Minnesota and has published extensively on economics and anti-corruption. From 2008 to 2022, Dr. Zheng served as an advisor and member of the regional management team, with a rank of deputy director general, at the Asian Development Bank (ADB). At the ADB, he worked on climate resilience, urban development, and poverty reduction in the ADB's member developing countries, including the Philippines. He led the development of the Climate Change Risk Data Platform and the Climate Risk Screening Tool, launched in 2018, which were early digital innovations paving the way for Al-based approaches today. These tools provided science-based data and visual analytics that helped Philippine government agencies, local governments, and development partners make informed decisions in critical areas such as infrastructure, urban planning, agriculture, water resource management, and environmental protection. He retired from the ADB in 2022 but continues to actively engage in advancing development in the country.
Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Zheng has shown deep affection and commitment to the Philippines and its people. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he donated over USD 50,000 worth of personal protective equipment (PPE) to hospitals and frontline workers. A passionate supporter of the arts, he donated a harp valued at PHP 1 million to the Manila Symphony Orchestra, among his many charitable contributions. He has established a scholarship program for underprivileged Filipino students and is currently sponsoring five college students. A gifted painter, he has organized and conducted free art workshops for children, university art students, the Filipino staff at the ADB, and the inmates at Muntinlupa jail. He served as judge at the National Correctional Consciousness Week art exhibition in 2024, an event for the benefit of persons deprived of liberty and their families. Since his retirement, he has remained an active supporter of disaster relief efforts, community-based initiatives, and cultural development programs across the country. Aside from his many socio-civic and philanthropic activities, Dr. Zheng is a recognized figure in local and international art communities. He was the founder and first chairperson of the ADB Artists Circle. He has held solo exhibitions in Manila, including shows at the Ayala Museum, Lyceum of the Philippines University, University of Santo Tomas, Ramos Park, and Salcedo Auctions. His most recent exhibition in 2024, titled An Homage to the Philippine Landscape, was a celebration of the country's flora and culture. He has exhibited at the world-renowned 31st Modern Asian Art Exhibition in Tokyo. His works are displayed at Harvard University, China Art Museum, and China National Academy of Painting. His works have been auctioned at leading auction houses in Manila, Beijing, and Hong Kong. He is an art ambassador who has been enthusiastically promoting Philippine nature and culture since he settled in our country in 2008. Dr. Zheng is a man of integrity who has dedicated his life to public service and socio-economic progress. His long-standing and continuing contributions to the country's development, cultural advancement, and community empowerment clearly reflect his deep connection to the Philippines and his commitment to improve the lives of Filipinos. His over 17 years of residence in the country, his professional achievements, and his active involvement in philanthropic, academic, and artistic endeavors have made a meaningful impact on Filipino society. The grant of Philippine citizenship to Dr. Zheng would acknowledge his dedication and love for the country and enable him to continue and deepen his service and contributions as a Filipino in law and in spirit.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN Senator
Sente Officp of the frcretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 26 JAN 21 P3:39 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) ) First Regular Session RECEIVED BY: SENATE S. No. 1675 Introduced by Senator FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN AN ACT GRANTING PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP TO LIPING ZHENG Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Liping Zheng is hereby granted Philippine citizenship with all the
rights, privileges, and prerogatives, as well as the duties and obligations appurtenant thereto, under the Constitution and the laws of the Republic of the Philippines.
SEC. 2. Liping Zheng shall take the Oath of Allegiance to the Republic of the
5 Philippines before an officer duly authorized to administer the same. The Oath of 6 Allegiance shall be registered with the Bureau of Immigration.
SEC. 3. Upon registration of the Oath of Allegiance, the Bureau of Immigration
8 shall issue a Certificate of Naturalization to Liping Zheng who shall thereupon enter into the full enjoyment of Philippine citizenship.
SEC. 4. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,