Acquisition of Filipino Citizenship by the Children of Former Natural-born Filipino Citizens

Senate Office of the secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) APR -7 P1:06 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY: S.B. No. 2024 Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS AN ACT EXPANDING DERIVATIVE FILIPINO CITIZENSHIP AND PROVIDING FOR THE ACQUISITION OF FILIPINO CITIZENSHIP BY THE CHILDREN OF FORMER NATURAL-BORN FILIPINO CITIZENS EXPLANATORY NOTE Republic Act No. 9225, otherwise known as the "Citizenship Retention and Re- Acquisition Act of 2003," allows' natural-born Filipinos who have acquired foreign citizenship to retain or re-acquire their Philippine citizenship upon taking the prescribed oath of allegiance. However, the law does not extend relief to persons born to former Filipino citizens who had already lost their Philippine citizenship prior to the child's birth. As a result, many individuals who are Filipino by lineage, heritage, and identity are effectively precluded from claiming Philippine citizenship solely because of legal and procedural limitations. The proposed measure seeks to redress such limitations by providing a more accessible and streamlined process for the acquisition of Philippine citizenship by children of former natural-born Filipinos. In so doing, the measure strengthens the State's recognition of citizenship by descent and affords greater protection to the legitimate interests of children of Filipinos abroad, without subjecting them to unduly burdensome procedural requirements. Given the abovementioned circumstances, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. Free h. Marca IMEE R. MARCOS

senate Difice of the Secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session APR -7 P1:06 SENATE 24 S.B. No. RECEIVED BY: Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS AN ACT EXPANDING DERIVATIVE FILIPINO CITIZENSHIP AND PROVIDING FOR THE ACQUISITION OF FILIPINO CITIZENSHIP BY THE CHILDREN OF FORMER NATURAL-BORN FILIPINO CITIZENS Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Sec. 1. Any person, whose father or mother was a natural-born Filipino citizen

who had lost such citizenship through naturalization before the person's birth, may acquire Filipino citizenship by taking the oath of allegiance to the Republic: "I -, solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines and obey the laws 7 and legal orders promulgated by the duly constituted authorities of the Philippines; and I hereby declare that I recognize and accept the supreme authority of the Philippines and will maintain true faith and allegiance thereto; and that I imposed this obligation upon myself voluntarily without mental reservation or purpose of evasion."

Sec. 2. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from

effectivity, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation of this Act.

Sec. 3. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is declared

unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or

parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 5. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,