Philippine nationality law is currently based upon the principles of jus sanguinis and therefore descent from a parent who is a citizen/national of the Republic of the Philippines is the primary method of acquiring Philippine citizenship. Birth in the Philippines to foreign parents does not in itself confer Philippine citizenship, although RA9139, the Administrative Naturalization Law of 2000, does provide a path for administrative naturalization of certain aliens born on Philippine soil (Jus soli).^[1][2]

Belgium and France have similar provisions under their respective nationality laws.

Contents 1 Citizenship by birth 2 Citizenship by naturalization 3 Loss and reacquisition of Philippine citizenship 4 References 5 See also 6 Further reading

[edit] Citizenship by birth

As of 2008, with no significant changes expected, Philippine nationality law provides that a person becomes a Philippine citizen by birth if

• that person was born on or after January 17, 1973 and either the father or the mother of that person is a Philippine citizen on the birthdate;^[3][4][5]
• or that person was born on or after May 14, 1935 and prior to January 17, 1973 and, on the birthdate, either

1. the father is a Philippine citizen, or
2. the mother is a Philippine citizen and the person elects Philippine citizenship prior to reaching the age of majority;^[6]

• or that person was born on or after August 29, 1916 and prior to May 14, 1935 and at least one parent was an inhabitant and resident of the Philippine Islands and a Spanish subject on April 11, 1899, or that person was an inhabitant and resident of the Philippine Islands and a Spanish subject on April 11, 1899, except in certain specific cases.^[7]

[edit] Citizenship by naturalization

Commonwealth Act No. 473, approved June 17, 1939, provided that persons having certain specified qualifications may become a citizen of the Philippines by naturalization.^[8]

Republic Act No. 9139, approved June 8, 2001, provided that aliens under the age of 18 who were born in the Philippines, who have resided in the Philippines and have resided therein since birth, and who possess other specified qualifications may be granted Philippines citizenship by administrative proceeding subject to certain requirements.^[1][2]

[edit] Loss and reacquisition of Philippine citizenship

Commonwealth Act No. 36, dated 20 October 1936, provides that Philippine citizens may lose citizenship in any of the following ways and/or events:^[9]

1. By naturalization in a foreign country;
2. By express renunciation of citizenship;
3. By subscribing to an oath of allegiance to support the constitution or laws of a foreign country upon attaining twenty-one years of age or more: Provided, however, That a Filipino may not divest himself of Philippine citizenship in any manner while the Republic of the Philippines is at war with any country.
4. By rendering services to, or accepting commission in, the armed forces of a foreign country, and the taking of an oath of allegiance incident thereto, except in certain specified cases;
5. By cancellation of the certificates of naturalization;
6. By having been declared by competent authority, a deserter of the Philippine armed forces in time of war, unless subsequently, a plenary pardon or amnesty has been granted; and
7. In the case of a woman, upon her marriage to a foreigner if, by virtue of the laws in force in her husband's country, she acquires his nationality.

Republic Act No. 8171, approved 23 October 1995, provided a mechanism allowing Filipino women who have lost their Philippine citizenship by marriage to aliens and natural-born Filipinos who have lost their Philippine citizenship, including their minor children, on account of political or economic necessity, to reacquire Philippine citizenship.^[10]

Republic Act No. 9225, approved 29 August 2003, provided that all Philippine citizens who become citizens of another country shall be deemed not to have lost their Philippine citizenship under the conditions of this Act. It further states that natural-born citizens of the Philippines who have lost their Philippine citizenship by reason of their naturalization as citizens of a foreign country are hereby deemed to have re-acquired Philippine citizenship upon taking an oath of allegiance to the Republic, and that their children whether legitimate, illegitimate or adopted, below eighteen (18) years of age, shall be deemed citizens of the Philippines.^[11]

[edit] References

[edit] See also

• Constitution of the Philippines
• Nationality law
• Nationality
• Citizenship

[edit] Further reading

• Cortes, Irene R; Lotilla, Raphael Perpetuo M (1990), "Nationality and International Law from the Philippine Perspective", in Ko, Nationality and International Law in Asian Perspective, Martinus Nijhoff, pp. 335–422, ISBN 079230876X, http://books.google.com/books?id=vwB68hf8bLgC&pg=PA335 
• Cornelius J. Peck (1965). "Nationalistic Influences on the Philippine Law of Citizenship". The American Journal of Comparative Law 14 (3): 459–478. doi:10.2307/838452. http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0002-919X(196522)14%3A3%3C459%3ANIOTPL%3E2.0.CO%3B2-8. Retrieved 2007-06-14.