G.R. No.

142840

May 7, 2001

ANTONIO BENGSON III, petitioner, vs. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ELECTORAL TRIBUNAL and TEODORO C. CRUZ, respon ents. CONCURRING OPINION DISSENTING OPINION KAPUNAN, J.: T!e "iti#ens!ip o$ respon ent Teo oro %. %r&# is at iss&e in t!is "ase, in vie' o$ t!e "onstit&tiona( re)&ire*ent t!at +no person s!a(( ,e a Me*,er o$ t!e -o&se o$ Representative &n(ess !e is a nat&ra(. ,orn "iti#en.+1 Respon ent %r&# 'as a nat&ra(.,orn "iti#en o$ t!e /!i(ippines. -e 'as ,orn in San %(e*ente, Tar(a", on Apri( 27, 1010, o$ 2i(ipino parents. T!e $&n a*enta( (a' t!en app(i"a,(e 'as t!e 1034 %onstit&tion.2 On Nove*,er 4, 1084, !o'ever, respon ent %r&# en(iste in t!e 5nite States Marine %orps an 'it!o&t t!e "onsent o$ t!e Rep&,(i" o$ t!e /!i(ippines, too6 an oat! o$ a((e7ian"e to t!e 5nite States. As a %onse)&en"e, !e (ost !is 2i(ipino "iti#ens!ip $or &n er %o**on'ea(t! A"t No. 13, se"tion 1849, a 2i(ipino "iti#en *ay (ose !is "iti#ens!ip ,y, a*on7 ot!er, +ren erin7 servi"e to or a""eptin7 "o**ission in t!e ar*e $or"es o$ a $orei7n "o&ntry.+ Sai provision o$ (a' rea s: SE%TION 1. How citizenship may be lost. A 2i(ipino "iti#en *ay (ose !is "iti#ens!ip in any o$ t!e $o((o'in7 'ays an ;or events: <<< 849 By ren erin7 servi"es to, or a""eptin7 "o**ission in, t!e ar*e o$ a $orei7n "o&ntry: Provided, T!at t!e ren erin7 o$ servi"e to, or t!e a""eptan"e o$ s&"! "o**ission in, t!e ar*e $or"es o$ a $orei7n "o&ntry, an t!e ta6in7 o$ an oat! o$ a((e7ian"e in"i ent t!ereto, 'it! t!e "onsent o$ t!e Rep&,(i" o$ t!e /!i(ippines, s!a(( not ivest a 2i(ipino o$ !is /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip i$ eit!er o$ t!e $o((o'in7 "ir"&*stan"es is present: 8a9 T!e Rep&,(i" o$ t!e /!i(ippines !as a e$ensive an ;or o$$ensive pa"t o$ a((ian"e 'it! sai $orei7n "o&ntry= or 8,9 T!e sai $orei7n "o&ntry *aintains ar*e $or"es on /!i(ippine territory 'it! t!e "onsent o$ t!e Rep&,(i" o$ t!e /!i(ippines: Provided, T!at t!e 2i(ipino "iti#en "on"erne , at t!e ti*e o$ ren erin7 sai servi"e, or a""eptan"e o$ sai "o**ission, an ta6in7 t!e oat! o$ a((e7ian"e in"i ent t!ereto, states t!at !e oes so on(y in "onne"tion 'it! !is servi"e to sai $orei7n "o&ntry= And provided, finally, T!at any 2i(ipino "iti#en '!o is ren erin7 servi"e to, or is "o**issione in, t!e ar*e $or"es o$ a $orei7n "o&ntry &n er any o$ t!e "ir"&*stan"es *entione in para7rap! 8a9 or 8,9, s!a(( not ,e Rep&,(i" o$ t!e /!i(ippines &rin7 t!e perio o$ !is servi"e to, or "o**ission in, t!e ar*e $or"es o$ sai "o&ntry. 5pon !is is"!ar7e $ro* t!e servi"e o$ t!e sai $orei7n "o&ntry, !e s!a(( ,e a&to*ati"a((y entit(e to t!e $&(( en>oy*ent o$ !is "ivi( an po(iti"a((y entit(e to t!e $&(( en>oy*ent o$ !is "ivi( po(iti"a( ri7!ts as a 2i(ipino "iti#en < < <. ?!atever o&,t t!at re*aine re7ar in7 !is (oss o$ /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip 'as erase ,y !is nat&ra(i#ation as a 5.S. "iti#en on @&ne 4, 1000, in "onne"tion 'it! !is servi"e in t!e 5.S. Marine %orps.

On Mar"! 17, 1004, respon ent %r&# rea")&ire !is /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip t!ro&7! repatriation &n er Rep&,(i" A"t No. 2130.3 -e ran $or an 'as e(e"te as t!e Representative o$ t!e Se"on Aistri"t o$ /an7asinan in t!e May 11, 1008 e(e"tions. -e 'on ,y a "onvin"in7 *ar7in o$ 21,171 votes over petitioner Antonio Ben7son III, '!o 'as t!en r&nnin7 $or ree(e"tion.1wphi1.nt S&,se)&ent(y, petitioner $i(e a "ase $or Q o !arranto Ad "a telam 'it! respon ent -o&se o$ Representatives E(e"tora( Tri,&na( 8-RET9 "(ai*in7 t!at respon ent %r&# 'as not )&a(i$ie to ,e"o*e a *e*,er o$ t!e -o&se o$ Representatives sin"e !e is not a nat&ra(.,orn "iti#en as re)&ire &n er Arti"(e BI, se"tion 1 o$ t!e %onstit&tion.4 On Mar"! 2, 2000, t!e -RET ren ere its e"ision 4 is*issin7 t!e petition $or # o warranto an e"(arin7 %r&# t!e &(y e(e"te Representative o$ t!e Se"on Aistri"t o$ /an7asinan in t!e May 1008 e(e"tions. T!e -RET (i6e'ise enie petitionerCs *otion $or re"onsi eration o$ t!e e"ision in its reso(&tion ate Apri( 27, 2000.1 /etitioner t!&s $i(e t!e present petition $or "ertiorari assai(in7 t!e -RETCs e"ision on t!e $o((o'in7 7ro&n s: 1. T!e -RET "o**itte serio&s errors an 7rave a,&se o$ is"retion, a*o&ntin7 to e<"ess o$ >&ris i"tion, '!en it r&(e t!at private respon ent is a nat&ra(.,orn "iti#en o$ t!e /!i(ippines espite t!e $a"t t!at !e !a "ease ,ein7 s&"! in vie' o$ t!e (oss an ren&n"iation o$ s&"! "iti#ens!ip on !is part. 2. T!e -RET "o**itte serio&s errors an 7rave a,&se o$ is"retion, a*o&ntin7 to e<"ess o$ >&ris i"tion, '!en it "onsi ere private respon ent as a "iti#en o$ t!e /!i(ippines espite t!e $a"t !e i not va(i (y a")&ire !is /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip. 3. Ass&*in7 t!at private respon entCs a")&isition o$ /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip 'as inva(i , t!e -RET "o**itte serio&s errors an 7rave a,&se o$ is"retion, a*o&ntin7 to e<"ess o$ >&ris i"tion, '!en it is*isse t!e petition espite t!e $a"t t!at s&"! rea")&isition "o&( not (e7a((y an "onstit&tiona((y restore !is nat&ra(.,orn stat&s.7 T!e iss&e no' ,e$ore &s is '!et!er respon ent %r&#, a nat&ra(.,orn 2i(ipino '!o ,e"a*e an A*eri"an "iti#en, "an sti(( ,e "onsi ere a nat&ra(.,orn 2i(ipino &pon !is rea")&isition o$ /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip. /etitioner asserts t!at respon ent %r&# *ay no (on7er ,e "onsi ere a nat&ra(.,orn 2i(ipino sin"e !e (ost ! is /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip '!en !e s'ore a((e7ian"e to t!e 5nite States in 1004, an !a to rea")&ire t!e sa*e ,y repatriation. -e insists t!at Arti"(e "iti#ens are t!ose '!o are $ro* ,irt! 'it! o&t !avin7 to per$or* any a"t to a")&ire or per$e"t s&"! "iti#ens!ip. Respon ent on t!e ot!er !an "onten s t!at !e rea")&ire !is stat&s as nat&ra(.,orn "iti#en '!en !e 'as repatriate sin"e t!e p!rase +$ro* ,irt!+ in Arti"(e IB, Se"tion 2 re$ers to t!e innate, in!erent an in,orn "!ara"teristi" o$ ,ein7 a nat&ra(.,orn "iti#en. T!e petition is 'it!o&t *erit. T!e 1087 %onstit&tion en&*erates '!o are 2i(ipino "iti#ens as $o((o': 819 T!ose '!o are "iti#ens o$ t!e /!i(ippines at t!e ti*e o$ t!e a option o$ t!is %onstit&tion= 829 T!ose '!ose $at!ers or *ot!ers are "iti#ens o$ t!e /!i(ippines= 839 T!ose ,orn ,e$ore @an&ary 17, 1073 o$ 2i(ipino *ot!er, '!o e(e"t /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip &pon rea"!in7 t!e a7e o$ *a>ority, an 849 T!ose '!o are nat&ra(i#e in a""or an"e 'it! (a'.8

T!ere are t'o 'ays o$ a")&irin7 "iti#ens!ip: 819 ,y ,irt!, an 829 ,y nat&ra(i#ation. T!ese 'ays o$ a")&irin7 "iti#ens!ip "orrespon to t!e t'o 6in s o$ "iti#ens: t!e nat&ra(.,orn "iti#en, an t!e nat&ra(i#e "iti#en. A person '!o at t!e ti*e o$ !is ,irt! is a "iti#en o$ a parti"&(ar "o&ntry, is a nat&ra(. ,orn "iti#en t!ereo$.0 As e$ine in t!e sa*e %onstit&tion, nat&ra(.,orn "iti#ens +are t!ose "iti#ens o$ t!e /!i(ippines $ro* ,irt! 'it!o&t !avin7 to per$or* any a"t to a")&ire or per$e"t !is /!i(ippine "ite#ens!ip.+10 On t!e ot!er !an , nat&ra(i#e "iti#ens are t!ose '!o !ave ,e"o*e 2i(ipino "iti#ens t!ro&7! nat&ra(i#ation, 7enera((y &n er %o**on'ea(t! A"t No. 473, ot!er'ise 6no'n as t!e Revise Nat&ra(i#ation Da', '!i"! repea(e t!e $or*er Nat&ra(i#ation Da' 8A"t No. 20279, an ,y Rep&,(i" A"t No. 430.11 To ,e nat&ra(i#e , an app(i"ant !as to prove t!at !e possesses a(( t!e )&a(i$i"ations 12 an none o$ t!e is)&a(i$i"ation13 provi e ,y (a' to ,e"o*e a 2i(ipino "iti#en. T!e e"ision 7rantin7 /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip ,e"o*es e<e"&tory on(y a$ter t'o 829 years $ro* its pro*&(7ation '!en t!e "o&rt is satis$ie t!at &rin7 t!e intervenin7 perio , t!e app(i"ant !as 819 not (e$t t!e /!i(ippines= 829 !as e i"ate !i*se($ to a (a'$&( "a((in7 or pro$ession= 839 !as not ,een "onvi"te o$ any o$$ense or vio(ation o$ Govern*ent pro*&(7ate r&(es= or 849 "o**itte any a"t pre>& i"ia( to t!e interest o$ t!e nation or "ontrary to any Govern*ent anno&n"e po(i"ies.14 2i(ipino "iti#ens '!o !ave (ost t!eir "iti#ens!ip *ay !o'ever rea")&ire t!e sa*e in t!e *anner provi e ,y (a'. %o**on'ea(t! A"t. No. 8%.A. No. 139, en&*erates t!e t!ree *o es ,y '!i"! /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip *ay ,e rea")&ire ,y a $or*er "iti#en: 819 ,y nat&ra(i#ation, 829 ,y repatriation, an 839 ,y ire"t a"t o$ %on7ress.14 Nat&ra(i#ation is *o e $or ,ot! a")&isition an rea")&isition o$ /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip. As a *o e o$ initia((y a")&irin7 /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip, nat&ra(i#ation is 7overne ,y %o**on'ea(t! A"t No. 473, as a*en e . On t!e ot!er !an , nat&ra(i#ation as a *o e $or rea")&irin7 /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip is 7overne ,y %o**on'ea(t! A"t No. 13.11 5n er t!is (a', a $or*er 2i(ipino "iti#en '!o 'is!es to rea")&ire /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip *&st possess "ertain )&a(i$i"ations 17 an none o$ t!e is)&a(i$i"ation *entione in Se"tion 4 o$ %.A. 473.18 Repatriation, on t!e ot!er !an , *ay ,e !a &n er vario&s stat&tes ,y t!ose '!o (ost t!eir "iti#ens!ip &e to: 819 esertion o$ t!e ar*e $or"es=10 servi"es in t!e ar*e $or"es o$ t!e a((ie $or"es in ?or( ?ar II=20 839 servi"e in t!e Ar*e 2or"es o$ t!e 5nite States at any ot!er ti*e, 21 849 *arria7e o$ a 2i(ipino 'o*an to an a(ien=22 an 849 po(iti"a( e"ono*i" ne"essity.23 As istin7&is!e $ro* t!e (en7t!y pro"ess o$ nat&ra(i#ation, repatriation si*p(y "onsists o$ t!e ta6in7 o$ an oat! o$ a((e7ian"e to t!e Rep&,(i" o$ t!e /!i(ippine an re7isterin7 sai oat! in t!e Do"a( %ivi( Re7istry o$ t!e p(a"e '!ere t!e person "on"erne resi es or (ast resi e . In An$at v. %ep blic,24 'e !e( : <<<. /arent!eti"a((y, &n er t!ese stat&tes Ere$errin7 to RA Nos. 014 an 2130F, t!e person esirin7 to rea")&ire /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip 'o&( not even ,e re)&ire to $i(e a petition in "o&rt, an a(( t!at !e !a to o 'as to ta6e an oat! o$ a((e7ian"e to t!e Rep&,(i" o$ t!e /!i(ippines an to re7ister t!at $a"t 'it! t!e "ivi( re7istry in t!e p(a"e o$ !is resi en"e or '!ere !e !a (ast resi e in t!e /!i(ippines. EIta(i"s in t!e ori7ina(.24 Moreover, repatriation res&(ts in t!e re"overy o$ t!e ori7ina( nationa(ity.21 T!is *eans t!at a nat&ra(i#e 2i(ipino '!o (ost !is "iti#ens!ip 'i(( ,e restore to !is prior stat&s as a nat&ra(i#e 2i(ipino "iti#en. On t!e ot!er !an , i$ !e 'as ori7ina((y a nat&ra(.,orn "iti#en ,e$ore !e (ost !is /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip, !e 'i(( ,e restore to !is $or*er stat&s as a nat&ra(.,orn 2i(ipino.

In respon ent %r&#Cs "ase, !e (ost !is 2i(ipino "iti#ens!ip '!en !e ren ere servi"e in t!e Ar*e 2or"es o$ t!e 5nite States. -o'ever, !e s&,se)&ent(y rea")&ire /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip &n er R.A. No. 2130, '!i"! provi es: Se"tion 1. Any person '!o !a (ost !is /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip ,y ren erin7 servi"e to, or a""eptin7 "o**ission in, t!e Ar*e 2or"es o$ t!e 5nite States, or a$ter separation $ro* t!e Ar*e 2or"es o$ t!e 5nite States, a")&ire 5nite States "iti#ens!ip, *ay rea")&ire /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip ,y ta6in7 an oat! o$ a((e7ian"e to t!e Rep&,(i" o$ t!e /!i(ippines an re7isterin7 t!e sa*e 'it! Do"a( %ivi( Re7istry in t!e p(a"e '!ere !e resi es or (ast resi e in t!e /!i(ippines. T!e sai oat! o$ a((e7ian"e s!a(( "ontain a ren&n"iation o$ any ot!er "iti#ens!ip. -avin7 t!&s ta6en t!e re)&ire oat! o$ a((e7ian"e to t!e Rep&,(i" an !avin7 re7istere t!e sa*e in t!e %ivi( Re7istry o$ Ma7antare*, /an7asinan in a""or an"e 'it! t!e a$ore"ite provision, respon ent %r&# is ee*e to !ave re"overe !is ori7ina( stat&s as a nat&ra(.,orn "iti#en, a stat&s '!i"! !e a")&ire at ,irt! as t!e son o$ a 2i(ipino $at!er. 27 It ,ears stressin7 t!at t!e a"t o$ repatriation a((o's !i* to recover, or re !rn o, "#$ or#%#na& $ a !$ 'e(ore "e &o$ "#$ P"#&#))#ne c# #*en$"#). /etitionerCs "ontention t!at respon ent %r&# is no (on7er a nat&ra(.,orn "iti#en sin"e !e !a to per$or* an a"t to re7ain !is "iti#ens!ip is &ntena,(e. As "orre"t(y e<p(aine ,y t!e -RET in its e"ision, t!e ter* +nat&ra(.,orn "iti#en+ 'as $irst e$ine in Arti"(e III, Se"tion 4 o$ t!e 1073 %onstit&tion as $o((o's: Se". 4. A nat&ra(.,orn "iti#en is one '!o is a "iti#en o$ t!e /!i(ippines $ro* ,irt! 'it!o&t !avin7 to per$or* any a"t to a")&ire or per$e"t !is /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip. T'o re)&isites *&st "on"&r $or a person to ,e "onsi ere as s&"!: 819 a person *&st ,e a 2i(ipino "iti#en ,irt! an 829 !e oes not !ave to per$or* any a"t to o,tain or per$e"t !is /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip. 5n er t!e 1073 %onstit&tion e$inition, t!ere 'ere t'o "ate7ories o$ 2i(ipino "iti#ens '!i"! 'ere not "onsi ere nat&ra(.,orn: 819 t!ose '!o 'ere nat&ra(i#e an 829 t!ose ,orn ,e$ore @an&ary 17, 1073, 38 o$ 2i(ipino *ot!ers '!o, &pon rea"!in7 t!e a7e o$ *a>ority, e(e"te /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip. T!ose +nat&ra(i#e "iti#ens+ 'ere not "onsi ere nat&ra(.,orn o,vio&s(y ,e"a&se t!ey 'ere not 2i(ipino at ,irt! an !a to per$or* an a"t to a")&ire /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip. T!ose ,orn o$ 2i(ipino *ot!ers ,e$ore t!e e$$e"tive(y o$ t!e 1073 %onstit&tion 'ere (i6e'ise not "onsi ere nat&ra(.,orn ,e"a&se t!ey a(so !a to per$or* an a"t to per$e"t t!eir /!i(ippines "iti#ens!ip. T!e present %onstit&tion, !o'ever, no' "onsi er t!ose ,orn o$ 2i(ipino *ot!ers ,e$ore t!e e$$e"tivity o$ t!e 1073 %onstit&tion an '!o e(e"te /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip &pon rea"!in7 t!e *a>ority a7e as nat&ra(.,orn. A$ter e$inin7 '!o re nat&ra(.,orn "iti#ens, Se"tion 2 o$ Arti"(e IB a s a senten"e: +T!ose '!o e(e"t /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip in a""or an"e 'it! para7rap! 839, Se"tion 1 !ereo$ s!a(( ,e ee*e nat&ra(.,orn "iti#ens.+ %onse)&ent(y, on(y nat&ra(i#e 2i(ipinos are "onsi ere not nat&ra(.,orn "iti#ens. It is apparent $ro* t!e en&*eration o$ '!o are "iti#ens &n er t!e present %onstit&tion t!at t!ere are on(y t'o "(asses o$ "iti#ens: 819 t!ose '!o are nat&ra(.,orn an 829 t!ose '!o are nat&ra(i#e in a""or an"e 'it! (a'. A "iti#en '!o is not a nat&ra(i#e 2i(ipino, i.e., i not !ave to &n er7o t!e pro"ess o$ nat&ra(i#ation to o,tain /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip, ne"essari(y is nat&ra(.,orn 2i(ipino. Note'ort!y is t!e a,sen"e in sai en&*eration o$ a separate "ate7ory $or persons '!o, a$ter (osin7 /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip, s&,se)&ent(y rea")&ire it. T!e reason t!ere$or is "(ear: as to s&"! persons, t!ey 'o&( eit!er ,e nat&ra(.,orn or nat&ra(i#e epen in7 on t!e reasons $or t!e (oss o$ t!eir "iti#ens!ip an t!e *o e pres"ri,e ,y t!e app(i"a,(e (a' $or t!e rea")&isition t!ereo$. As respon ent %r&# 'as not re)&ire ,y (a' to 7o t!ro&7! nat&ra(i#ation pro"ee in7 in or er to rea")&ire !is "iti#ens!ip, !e is per$or"e a nat&ra(.,orn 2i(ipino. As s&"!, !e possesse a(( t!e ne"essary )&a(i$i"ations to ,e e(e"te as *e*,er o$ t!e -o&se o$ Representatives.

A $ina( point. T!e -RET !as ,een e*po'ere ,y t!e %onstit&tion to ,e t!e +so(e >& 7e+ o$ a(( "ontests re(atin7 to t!e e(e"tion, ret&rns, an )&a(i$i"ations o$ t!e *e*,ers o$ t!e -o&se. 20 T!e %o&rtCs >&ris i"tion over t!e -RET is *ere(y to "!e"6 +'!et!er or not t!ere !as ,een a 7rave a,&se o$ is"retion a*o&ntin7 to (a"6 or e<"ess o$ >&ris i"tion+ on t!e part o$ t!e (atter. 30 In t!e a,sen"e t!ereo$, t!ere is no o""asion $or t!e %o&rt to e<er"ise its "orre"tive po'er an ann&( t!e e"ision o$ t!e -RET nor to s&,stit&te t!e %o&rtCs >& 7e*ent $or t!at o$ t!e (atter $or t!e si*p(e reason t!at it is not t!e o$$i"e o$ a petition $or "ertiorari to in)&ire into t!e "orre"tness o$ t!e assai(e e"ision. 31 T!ere is no s&"! s!o'in7 o$ 7rave a,&se o$ is"retion in t!is "ase. +HEREFORE, t!e petition is !ere,y DIS,ISSED. SO ORDERED. &avide, 'r., ".'., (ellosillo, P no, and ''., "on"&r. )elo, *it $, )endoza, no part. Pan$aniban, "on"&rrin7 opinion. Q is mbin$, ( ena, &e +eon, 'r., on (eave. ,andoval-. tierrez, issentin7 opinion. Pardo, .onza$a-%eyes, "on"&r on t!is an t!e "on"&rrin7 opinion o$ @. /an7ani,an /nares-,antia$o, "erti$y *a>ority opinion o$ @. Gap&nan. Foo no e
1

1087 %onstit&tion, Arti"(e IB, Se"tion 1. IB, Se"tion 1 o$ t!e 1034 %onstit&tion states:

2 Arti"(e

T!e $o((o'in7 are "iti#ens o$ t!e /!i(ippines: 19 T!ose '!o are "iti#ens o$ t!e /!i(ippine Is(an s at t!e ti*e o$ t!e a option o$ t!e %onstit&tion= 29 T!ose ,orn in t!e /!i(ippine Is(an s o$ $orei7n parents '!o, ,e$ore t!e a option o$ t!is %onstit&tion !a ,een e(e"te to p&,(i" o$$i"e in t!e /!i(ippine Is(an s= 39 T!ose '!ose $at!ers are "iti#ens o$ t!e /!i(ippines= 49 T!ose '!ose *ot!ers are "iti#ens o$ t!e /!i(ippines an , &pon rea"!in7 t!e a7e o$ *a>ority, e(e"te /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip= an 49 T!ose '!o are nat&ra(i#e in a""or an"e 'it! (a'.
3

An A"t /rovi in7 $or Rea")&isition o$ /!i(ippine %iti#ens!ip ,y /ersons ?!o Dost S&"! %iti#ens!ip ,y Ren erin7 Servi"e To, or A""eptin7 %o**ission In, t!e Ar*e 2or"es o$ t!e 5nite States 810109.
4

Sai provision rea s: No person s!a(( ,e a *e*,er o$ t!e -o&se o$ Representatives &n(ess !e is a nat&ra(.,orn "iti#en o$ t!e /!i(ippines an , on t!e ay o$ t!e e(e"tion, is at (east t'enty.$ive years o$ a7e, a,(e to rea an 'rite, an e<"ept t!e party.(ist representatives, a re7istere voter in t!e istri"t in '!i"! !e s!a(( ,e e(e"te , an a resi ent t!ereo$ $or a perio o$ not (ess

t!an one year i**e iate(y pre"e in7 t!e ay o$ t!e e(e"tion.
4 1 7

%ollo, p. 31. 0d., at 10. 0d., at 13. IB, Se"tion 1.

8 Arti"(e 0

TODENTINO, %OMMETARIES ANA @5RIS/R5AEN%E ON T-E %IBID %OAE O2 T-E /-IDI//INES 188, 1000 E .
10 11

1087 %onstit&tion, Arti"(e IB, Se"tion 2.

A&rin7 t!e perio &n er Martia( Da' e"(are ,y /resi ent 2er inan E. Mar"os, t!o&san s o$ a(iens 'ere nat&ra(i#e ,y /resi entia( Ae"ree '!ere t!e s"reenin7 o$ t!e app(i"ants 'as &n erta6en ,y spe"ia( "o**ittee &n er Detter o$ Instr&"tions No. 270, ate Apri( 11,1074, as a*en e .
12

Se"tion 2, A"t 473 provi es t!e $o((o'in7 )&a(i$i"ations: 8a9 -e *&st ,e not (ess t!an 21 years o$ a7e on t!e ay o$ t!e !earin7 o$ t!e petition= 8,9 -e *&st !ave resi e in t!e /!i(ippines $or a "ontin&o&s perio o$ not (ess t!an ten years= 8"9 -e *&st ,e o$ 7oo *ora( "!ara"ter an ,e(ieves in t!e prin"ip(es &n er(yin7 t!e /!i(ippine %onstit&tion, an *&st !ave "on &"te !i*se($ in a proper an irreproa"!a,(e *anner &rin7 t!e entire perio o$ !is resi en"e in t!e /!i(ippines in !is re(ation 'it! t!e "onstit&te 7overn*ent an 'e(( as 'it! t!e "o**&nity in '!i"! !e is (ivin7= 8 9 -e *&st o'n rea( estate in t!e /!i(ippines 'ort! not (ess t!an $ive t!o&san pesos, /!i(ippine "&rren"y, or *&st !ave so*e 6no'n (&"rative tra e, pro$ession, or (a'$&( o""&pation= 8e9 -e *&st ,e a,(e to spea6 an 'rite En7(is! or Spanis! an any o$ t!e prin"ipa( (an7&a7es= an 8$9 -e *&st !ave enro((e !is *inor "!i( ren o$ s"!oo( a7e, in any o$ t!e p&,(i" s"!oo(s or private s"!oo(s re"o7ni#e ,y t!e B&rea& o$ /rivate S"!oo(s o$ t!e /!i(ippines '!ere /!i(ippine !istory, 7overn*ent an "ivi" are ta&7!t or pres"ri,e as part o$ t!e s"!oo( "&rri"&(&*, &rin7 t!e entire perio o$ t!e resi en"e in t!e /!i(ippines re)&ire o$ !i* prior to t!e (earnin7 o$ !is petition $or nat&ra(i#ation as /!i(ippine "iti#en.

13

Se"tion 4, A"t 473, provi es t!e $o((o'in7 is)&a(i$i"ations: 8a9 -e *&st not ,e oppose to or7ani#e 7overn*ent or a$$i(iate 'it! any asso"iation or 7ro&p o$ persons '!o &p!o( an tea"! o"trines opposin7 a(( or7ani#e 7overn*ents= 8,9 -e *&st not ,e e$en in7 or tea"!in7 t!e ne"essity or propriety o$ vio(en"e, persona( assa&(t, or assassination $or t!e s&""ess an pre o*inan"e o$ t!eir i eas= 8"9 -e *&st not ,e po(y7a*ist or ,e(iever in t!e pra"ti"e o$ po(y7a*y= 8 9 -e *&st not !ave ,een "onvi"te o$ any "ri*e invo(vin7 *ora( t&rpit& e= 8e9 -e *&st not ,e s&$$erin7 $ro* *enta( a(ienation or in"&ra,(e "onta7io&s iseases=

8$9 -e *&st !ave, &rin7 t!e perio o$ !is resi en"e in t!e /!i(ippines 8o$ not (ess t!an si< *ont!s ,e$ore $i(in7 !is app(i"ation9, *in7(e so"ia((y 'it! t!e 2i(ipinos, or '!o !ave not evin"e a sin"ere esire to (earn an e*,ra"e t!e "&sto*s, tra itions an i ea( s o$ t!e 2i(ipinos= 879 -e *&st not ,e a "iti#en or s&,>e"t o$ a nation 'it! '!o* t!e /!i(ippines is at 'ar, &rin7 t!e perio o$ s&"! 'ar= 8!9 -e *&st not ,e "iti#en or s&,>e"t o$ $orei7n "o&ntry '!ose (a's o not 7rant 2i(ipinos t!e ri7!t to ,e"o*e nat&ra(i#e "iti#ens or s&,>e"ts t!ereo$.
14 14 11

Se"tion 1, R.A. 430. Se"tion 2, %.A. No. 13.

An A"t /rovi in7 $or t!e ?ays in ?!i"! /!i(ippine %iti#ens!ip May Be Dost or Rea")&ire 810319.
17

1. T!e app(i"ant *&st !ave (ost !is ori7ina( /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip ,y nat&ra(i#ation in a $orei7n "o&ntry or ,y e<press ren&n"iation o$ !is "iti#ens!ip 8Se". 1 E1F an E2F, %.A. No. 139= 2. -e *&st ,e at (east t'enty.one years o$ a7e an s!a(( !ave resi e in t!e /!i(ippines at (east si< *ont!s ,e$ore !e app(ies $or nat&ra(i#ation 8Se". 3E1F, %.A. No. 139= 3. -e *&st !ave "on &"te !i*se($ in a proper an irreproa"!a,(e *anner &rin7 t!e entire perio o$ !is resi en"e 8o$ at (east si< *ont!s prior to t!e $i(in7 o$ t!e app(i"ation9 in t!e /!i(ippines, in !is re(ations 'it! t!e "onstit&te 7overn*ent as 'e(( as 'it! t!e "o**&nity in '!i"! !e is (ivin7 8Se". 3E2F, %.A. No. 139= 4. -e s&,s"ri,es to an oat! e"(arin7 !is intention to reno&n"e a,so(&te(y an perpet&a((y a( $ait! an a((e7ian"e to t!e $orei7n a&t!ority, state or soverei7nty o$ '!i"! !e 'as a "iti#en or s&,>e"t 8Se". 3E3F, %.A. No. 139.
18 10 20 21 22 23 24 24 21 27

See note 13. Se" 4, %.a. No. 13. Se". 1, Rep&,(i" A"t No. 014 810439. Se". 1, Rep&,(i" A"t No. 2130 810109. Se". 1, Rep&,(i" A"t No. 8171 810049. 0bid. 314 S%RA 438 810009 0d., at 440. @ovito R. Sa(on7a, /rivate Internationa( Da', p. 114 810049 See Art. IB, Se". 1, 1034 %onstit&tion. ate o$ e$$e"tivity o$ t!e 1073 %onstit&tion. IB, Se"tion 17 o$ t!e 1087 %onstit&tion provi es t!&s: Se". 17. T!e Senate an t!e -o&se o$ Representative s!a(( ea"! !ave an E(e"tora( Tri,&na( '!i"! s!a(( ,e t!e so(e >& 7e o$ a(( "ontests re(atin7 to t!e e(e"tion, ret&rns, an )&a(i$i"ations o$ t!eir respe"tive Me*,ers. Ea"! E(e"tora( Tri,&na( s!a(( ,e "o*pose o$

28 T!e

20 Arti"(e

nine Me*,ers t!ree o$ '!o* s!a(( ,e @&sti"es o$ t!e S&pre*e %o&rt to ,e esi7nate ,y t!e %!ie$ @&sti"e, an t!e re*ainin7 si< s!a(( ,e Me*,ers o$ t!e Senate o$ t!e -o&se o$ Representatives, as t!e "ase *ay ,e, '!o s!a(( ,e "!osen on t!e ,asis o$ proportiona( representation $ro* t!e po(iti"a( parties an t!e parties or or7ani#ations re7istere &n er t!e party.(ist syste* represente t!erein. T!e senior @&sti"e in t!e E(e"tora( Tri,&na( s!a(( ,e its %!air*an.
30

.arcia vs. Ho se of %epresentatives 1lectoral 2rib nal, 312 S%RA 343, 314 810009.

EN BANC G.R. No. -./0.1 ,a2 3, /11ANTONIO BENGSON III, petitioner, vs. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ELECTORAL TRIBUNAL and TEODORO C. CRUZ, respon ents. CONCURRING OPINION PANGANIBAN, J.4 I "on"&r in t!e ponencia o$ Mr. @&sti"e Santia7o M. Gap&nan, !o( in7 t!at t!e -o&se E(e"tora( Tri,&na( i not 7rave(y a,&se its is"retion in r&(in7 t!at /rivate Respon ent Teo oro %. %r&# re*ains a nat ral-born 2i(ipino "iti#en an is e(i7i,(e to "ontin&e ,ein7 a *e*,er o$ %on7ress. Det *e >&st a a $e' points. T"e Fac $ #n Br#e( It is &n isp&te t!at %on7ress*an %r&# 'as ,orn on Apri( 27, 1010 in San %(e*ente, Tar(a", to 2i(ipino parents. -e 'as, t!ere$ore, a 2i(ipino "iti#en, p&rs&ant to Se"tion 1 829, 1 Arti"(e IB o$ t!e %onstit&tion. F!r "er5ore, no "av#n% done an2 ac o ac6!#re or )er(ec "e P"#&#))#ne c# #*en$"#) "e o' a#ned (ro5 '#r ", "e 7a$ a na !ra&8'orn F#&#)#no c# #*en, #n accordance 7# " Sec #on / / o( "e $a5e Ar #c&e IV. It is not isp&te eit!er t!at private respon ent ren ere *i(itary servi"e to t!e 5nite States Marine %orps $ro* Nove*,er 1048 to O"to,er 1003. On @&ne 4, 1000, !e 'as nat&ra(i#e as an A*eri"an "iti#en, in "onne"tion 'it! !is 5S *i(itary servi"e. %onse)&ent(y, &n er Se"tion 1 849 3 o$ %A No. 13, !e (ost !is /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip. 5pon !is is"!ar7e $ro* t!e 5S Marine %orps, private respon ent ret&rne to t!e /!i(ippines an e"i e to re7ain !is 2i(ipino "iti#ens!ip. T!&s, on Mar"! 17, 1004, avai(in7 !i*se($ o$ t!e ,ene$its o$ Rep&,(i" A"t 8RA9 No. 2130, entit(e +An A"t /rovi in7 $or Rea")&isition o$ /!i(ippine %iti#ens!ip ,y /ersons ?!o Dost S&"! ,y Ren erin7 Servi"e to, or A""eptin7 %o**ission in, t!e Ar*e 2or"e o$ t!e 5nite States,+4 %r&# too6 !is oat! o$ a((e7ian"e to t!e Rep&,(i" an re7istere t!e sa*e 'it! t!e Do"a( %ivi( Re7istry o$ Man7atare*, /an7asinan. On t!e sa*e ay, !e a(so e<e"&te an A$$i avit o$ Rea")&isition o$ /!i(ippine %iti#ens!ip. ,a#n I$$!e T!e *ain )&estion !ere is: Ai t!e -o&se o$ Representatives E(e"tora( Tri,&na( 8-RET9 "o**it 7rave a,&se o$ is"retion in !o( in7 t!at, ,y reason o$ !is repatriation, %on7ress*an Teo oro %. %r&# !a reverte to !is ori7ina( stat&s as a nat&ra(.,orn "iti#enH I respe"t$&((y s&,*it t!at t!e ans'er is +No.+ In

$a"t, I ,e(ieve t!at t!e -RET 'as "orre"t in its r&(in7. 1. %epatriation 0s %ecovery of 3ri$inal "itizenship 4irst, repatriation is si*p(y t!e re"overy o$ ori$inal "iti#ens!ip. 5n er Se"tion 1 o$ RA 2130, a person +'!o !aEsF (ost !is "iti#ens!ip+ *ay +rea")&ire+ it ,y + ta6in7 an oat! o$ a((e7ian"e to t!e Rep&,(i" o$ t!e /!i(ippines.+ 2or*er Senate /resi ent @ovito R. Sa(on7a, a note a&t!ority on t!e s&,>e"t, e<p(ains t!is *et!o *ore pre"ise(y in !is treatise, Private 0nternational +aw.4 -e e$ines repatriation as +t!e re"overy o$ t!e ori$inal nationa(ity &pon $&($i((*ent o$ "ertain "on ition.+1 ?e,ster ,&ttresses t!is e$inition ,y es"ri,in7 t!e or inary or "o**on &sa7e o$ repatriate, as +to restore or ret&rn to oneCs "o&ntry o$ ori7in, a((e7ian"e, or "iti#ens!ip= < < <.+ 7 In re(ation to o&r s&,>e"t *atter, repatriation, t!en, *eans restoration of citizenship. It is not a 7rant o$ a new "iti#ens!ip, ,&t a re"overy o$ oneCs $or*er or ori7ina( "iti#ens!ip. To +rea")&ire+ si*p(y *eans +to 7et ,a"6 as oneCs o'n a7ain.+8 1r$o, sin"e %r&#, prior to !is ,e"o*in7 a 5S "iti#en, 'as a nat&ra(.,orn 2i(ipino "iti#en, !e +rea")&ire + t!e sa*e stat&s &pon repatriation. To r&(e ot!er'ise I t!at %r&# ,e"a*e a non.nat&ra(.,orn "iti#en I 'o&( not ,e "onsistent '!it t!e (e7a( an or inary *eanin7 o$ repatriation. It 'o&( ,e a6in to nat&ra(i#ation, '!i"! is t!e a")&isition o$ a ne' "iti#ens!ip. +Ne'.+ Be"a&se it is not t!e sa*e as t!e 'it! '!i"! !e !as previo&s(y ,een en o'e . In any "ase, +t!e (eanin7, in )&estions o$ "iti#ens!ip, s!o&( a('ays ,e in $avor o$ EitsF "(ai*ant < < <.+ 0 A""or in7(y, t!e sa*e s!o&( ,e "onstr&e in $avor o$ private respon ent, '!o "(ai*s to ,e a nat&ra(. ,orn "iti#en. 5. 6ot (ein$ 6at ralized, %espondent 0s 6at ral (orn ,econd, &n er t!e present %onstit&tion, private respon ent s!o&( ,e ee*e nat&ra(.,orn, ,e"a&se 'as not nat&ra(i#e . Det *e e<p(ain. T!ere are 7enera((y t'o "(asses o$ "iti#ens: 819 nat&ra(.,orn "iti#ens an 829 nat&ra(i#e "iti#ens. 10 ?!i(e %A 13 provi es t!at "iti#ens!ip *ay a(so ,e a")&ire ,y ire"t a"t o$ t!e De7is(at&re, I ,e(ieve t!at t!ose '!o o ,e"o*e "iti#ens t!ro&7! s&"! pro"e &re 'o&( proper(y $a(( &n er t!e se"on "ate7ory 8nat&ra(i#e 9.11 Nat&ra(i#e "iti#ens are $or*er a(iens or $orei7ners '!o !a to &n er7o a ri7i pro"e &re, in '!i"! t!ey !a to a &"e s&$$i"ient evi en"e to prove t!at t!ey possesse a(( t!e )&a(i$i"ations an none o$ t!e is)&a(i$i"ations provi e ,y (a' in or er to ,e"o*e 2i(ipino "iti#ens. In "ontrast, as state in t!e ear(y "ase %oa v. "ollector of " stoms,12 a nat&ra(.,orn "iti#en is a "iti#en +'!o !as ,e"o*e s&"! at t!e *o*ent o$ !is ,irt!.+ T!e assai(e -RET Ae"ision, penne ,y Mr. @&sti"e Bi"ente B. Men o#a, e<p(ains "(ear(y '!o are "onsi ere nat&ra(.,orn 2i(ipino "iti#ens. -e tra"es t!e "on"ept as $irst e$ine in Arti"(e III o$ t!e 1073 %onstit&tion, '!i"! si*p(y provi e as $o((o's: +Se" 4. A nat&ra(.,orn "iti#en is one '!o is a "iti#en o$ t!e /!i(ippines $ro* ,irt! 'it!o&t !avin7 to per$or* any a"t to a")&ire or per$e"t !is /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip.+ 5n er t!e a,ove e$inition, t!ere are t'o re)&isites in or er t!at a 2i(ipino "iti#en *ay ,e "onsi ere +nat&ra(.,orn+: 819 one *&st ,e a "iti#en o$ t!e /!i(ippines $ro* ,irt!, an 829 one oes not !ave to o anyt!in7 to a")&ire or per$e"t oneCs /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip.13 T!&s, &n er t!e 1073 %onstit&tion, e<"(& e $ro* t!e "(ass o$ +nat&ra(.,orn "iti#ens+ 'ere 819 t!ose '!o 'ere nat&ra(i#e an 829 t!ose ,orn ,e$ore @an&ary 17, 1073, o$ 2i(ipino *ot!ers '!o, &pon rea"!in7 t!e a7e o$ *a>ority, e(e"te /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip.14 T!e present %onstit&tion, !o'ever, !as e<pan e t!e s"ope o$ nat&ra(.,orn "iti#ens to in"(& e +EtF!ose

'!o e(e"t /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip in a""or an"e 'it! para7rap! 839, Se"tion 1 !ereo$,+ *eanin7 t!ose "overe &n er "(ass 829 a,ove. %onse)&ent(y, on(y nat&ra(i#e 2i(ipino "iti#ens are not "onsi ere nat&ra(.,orn "iti#ens. /re*isin7 t!ere$ro*, respon ent I ,ein7 "(ear(y an "on"e e (y not nat&ra(i#e I is, t!ere$ore, a nat&ra(.,orn "iti#en o$ t!e /!i(ippines.14 ?it! respe"t to repatriates, sin"e t!e %onstit&tion oes not "(assi$y t!e* separate(y, t!ey nat&ra((y rea")&ire t!eir ori$inal "(assi$i"ation ,e$ore t!e (oss o$ t!eir /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip. In t!e "ase o$ %on7ress*an Teo oro %. %r&#, &pon !is repatriation in1004, !e rea")&ire !is (ost "iti#ens!ip. In ot!er 'or s, !e re7aine !is ori7ina( stat&s as a nat&ra(.,orn 2i(ipino "iti#en, not!in7 (ess. 7. 6o .rave Ab se of &iscretion on the Part of H%12 2hird, t!e -RET i not a,&se, *&"! (ess 7rave(y a,&se, its is"retion in !o( in7 t!at Respon ent %r&# is a nat&ra(.,orn 2i(ipino "iti#en '!o is )&a(i$ie to ,e a *e*,er o$ %on7ress. I stress t!at t!e %o&rt, in t!is "ertiorari pro"ee in7 ,e$ore &s, is (i*ite to eter*inin7 '!et!er t!e -RET "o**itte 7rave a,&se o$ is"retion a*o&ntin7 to (a"6 or e<"ess o$ >&ris i"tion in iss&in7 its assai(e Ae"ision. T!e %o&rt !as no po'er to reverse or *o i$y -RETCs r&(in7s, si*p(y ,e"a&se it i$$ers in its per"eption o$ "ontroversies. It "annot s&,stit&te its is"retion $or t!at o$ -RET, an in epen ent, "onstit&tiona( ,o y 'it! its o'n spe"i$i" *an ate. T!e %onstit&tion e<p(i"it(y states t!at t!e respe"tive E(e"tora( Tri,&na(s o$ t!e "!a*,ers o$ %on7ress +s!a(( ,e t!e sole >& 7es o$ a(( "ontests re(atin7 to t!e e(e"tion, ret&rns, an # alifications t!eir respe"tive *e*,ers.+11 In severa( "ases,17 t!is %o&rt !as !e( t!at t!e po'er an t!e >&ris i"tion o$ t!e E(e"tora( Tri,&na(s are ori7ina( an e<"(&sive, as i$ t!ey re*aine in t!e (e7is(at&re, a "oe)&a( ,ran"! o$ 7overn*ent. T!eir >& 7*ent are ,eyon >& i"ia( inter$eren"e, &n(ess ren ere 'it!o&t or in e<"ess o$ t!eir >&ris i"tion or 'it! 7rave a,&se o$ is"retion. 18 In t!e e(e7ant 'or s o$ Mr. @&sti"e -&7o E. G&tierre# @r.:10 +T!e %o&rt oes not vent&re into t!e peri(o&s area o$ tryin7 to "orre"t per"eive errors o$ in epen ent ,ran"!es o$ t!e Govern*ent. It "o*es in on(y '!en it !as to vin i"ate a enia( o$ &e pro"ess or "orre"t an a,&se o$ is"retion so 7rave or 7(arin7 t!at no (ess t!an t!e %onstit&tion "a((s $or re*e ia( a"tion.+ Tr&e, t!ere is no sett(e >& i"ia( o"trine on t!e e<a"t e$$e"t o$ repatriation. B&t, as ear(ier e<p(aine , t!e (e7a( an "o**on e$inition o$ repatriation is t!e rea")&isition o$ t!e former "iti#ens!ip. -o' t!en "an t!e -RET ,e re,&6e 'it! 7rave a,&se o$ is"retionH At ,est, I "an "on"e e t!at t!e (e7a( e$inition is not >& i"ia((y sett(e or is even o&,t$&(. B&t an interpretation *a e in 7oo $ait! an 7ro&n e o reason one 'ay or t!e ot!er "annot ,e t!e so&r"e o$ 7rave a,&se a*o&ntin7 to (a"6 or e<"ess o$ >&ris i"tion. T!e -RET i not vio(ate t!e %onstit&tion or t!e (a' or any sett(e >& i"ia( o"trine. It 'as e$inite(y a"tin7 'it!in its e<"(&sive o*ain. Be it re*e*,ere t!at o&r %onstit&tion vests &pon t!e -RET t!e po'er to ,e t!e sole >& 7e o$ t!e )&a(i$i"ations o$ *e*,ers o$ t!e -o&se o$ Representatives, one o$ '!i"! is "iti#ens!ip. A,sent any clear s!o'in7 o$ a *ani$est vio(ation o$ t!e %onstit&tion or t!e (a' or nay >& i"ia( e"ision, t!is %o&rt "annot i*p&te 7rave a,&se o$ is"retion to t!e -RET in t!e (atterCs a"tions on *atters over '!i"! $&(( is"retionary a&t!ority is (o 7e &pon it ,y o&r $&n a*enta( (a'.20 Even ass&*in7 t!at 'e isa7ree 'it! t!e "on"(&sion o$ p&,(i" respon ent, 'e "annot ipso facto attri,&te to it +7rave a,&se o$ is"retion.+ Beri(y, t!ere is a (ine ,et'een per"eive error an 7rave a,&se.21 By 7rave a,&se o$ is"retion is *eant s&"! "apri"io&s an '!i*si"a( e<er"ise o$ >& 7*ent as is e)&iva(ent to (a"6 o$ >&ris i"tion. Mere a,&se o$ is"retion is not eno&7!. +It *&st ,e $rave a,&se o$ is"retion as '!en t!e po'er is e<er"ise in an ar,itrary or espoti" *anner ,y reason o$ passion or persona( !osti(ity, an *&st ,e so patent an so 7ross as to a*o&nt to an evasion o$ a positive &ty or to

a virt&a( re$&sa( to per$or* t!e &ty en>oine or to a"t at a(( in "onte*p(ation o$ (a'.+22 T!at t!e -RET, a$ter "are$&( e(i,eration an p&rpose$&( st& y, vote 7 to 2 to iss&e its Ae"ision &p!o( in7 t!e )&a(i$i"ations o$ %on7ress*an %r&# "o&( not in any 'ise ,e "on e*ne as 7rave(y a,&sive. Neit!er "an I $in any +patent or 7ross+ ar,itrariness or espotis* +,y reason o$ passion or !osti(ity+ in s&"! e<er"ise. 8. 0n "ase of &o bt, /op&(ar ?i(( /revai(s 4o rth, t!e "o&rt !as a so(e*n &ty to &p!o( t!e "(ear an &n*ista6a,(e *an ate o$ t!e peop(e. It "annot s&pp(ant t!e soverei7n 'i(( o$ t!e Se"on Aistri"t o$ /an7asinan 'it! $ra"t&re (e7a(is*. T!e peop(e o$ t!e Aistri"t !ave "(ear(y spo6en. T!ey over'!e(*in7(y an &ne)&ivo"a((y vote $or private respon ent to represent t!e* in t!e -o&se o$ Representatives. T!e votes t!at %r&# 7arnere 880, 1109 in t!e (ast e(e"tions 'ere *&"! *ore t!an t!ose o$ a(( !is opponents "o*,ine 811, 1829. 23 In s&"! instan"es, a(( possi,(e o&,ts s!o&( ,e reso(ve in $avor o$ t!e 'innin7 "an i ateCs e(i7i,i(ity= to r&(e ot!er'ise 'o&( ,e to e$eat t!e 'i(( o$ t!e peop(e.24 ?e((.entren"!e in o&r >&rispr& en"e is t!e o"trine t!at in "ase o$ o&,t, po(iti"a( (a's *&st ,e so "onstr&"te as to 7ive (i$e an spirit to t!e pop&(ar *an ate $ree(y e<presse t!ro&7! t!e ,a((ot. 24 /&,(i" interest an t!e soverei7n 'i(( s!o&( , at a(( ti*es, ,e t!e para*o&nt "onsi erations in e(e"tion "ontroversies.21 2or it 'o&( ,e ,etter to err in $avor o$ t!e peop(eCs "!oi"e t!an to ,e ri7!t in "o*p(e< ,&t (itt(e &n erstoo (e7a(is*s.27 +In ee , t!is %o&rt !as repeate (y stresse t!e i*portan"e o$ 7ivin7 e$$e"t to t!e soverei7n 'i(( in or er to ens&re t!e s&rviva( o$ o&r e*o"ra"y. In any a"tion invo(vin7 t!e possi,i(ity o$ a reversa( o$ t!e pop&(ar e(e"tora( "!oi"e, t!is %o&rt *&st e<ert &t*ost e$$ort to reso(ve t!e iss&es in a *anner t!at 'o&( 7ive e$$e"t to t!e 'i(( o$ t!e *a>ority, $or it is *ere(y so&n p&,(i" po(i"y to "a&se e(e"tive o$$i"es to ,e $i((e ,y t!ose '!o are t!e "!oi"e o$ t!e *a>ority. To s&""ess$&((y "!a((en7e a 'innin7 "an i ateCs )&a(i$i"ations, t!e petitioner *&st "(ear(y e*onstrative t!at t!e ine(i7i,i(ity is so patent(y anta7onisti" to "onstit&tiona( an (e7a( prin"ip(es t!at overri in7 s&"! ine(i7i,i(ity an t!ere,y 7ivin7 e$$e"t to t!e apparent 'i(( o$ t!e peop(e 'o&( &(ti*ate(y "reate 7reater pre>& i"e to t!e very e*o"rati" instit&tions an >&risti" tra itions t!at o&r %onstit&tion an (a's so #ea(o&s(y prote"t an pro*ote.+28 9. " rrent 2rend 2owards .lobalization 4ifth, t!e "&rrent tren , e"ono*i"a((y as 'e(( as po(iti"a((y, is to'ar s 7(o,a(i#ation. 20 /rote"tionist ,arriers is*ant(e . ?!ereas, in t!e past, 7overn*ents $ro'ne &pon t!e openin7 o$ t!eir oors to a(iens '!o 'ante to en>oy t!e sa*e privi(e7es as t!eir "iti#ens, t!e "&rrent era is a optin7 a *ore (i,era( perspe"tive. No (on7er are app(i"ants $or "iti#ens!ip eye 'it! t!e s&spi"ion t!at t!ey *ere(y 'ant to e<p(oit (o"a( reso&r"es $or t!e*se(ves. T!ey are no' ,ein7 "onsi ere potentia( so&r"es o$ eve(op*enta( s6i((s, 6no'.!o' an "apita(.1wphi1.nt More so s!o&( o&r 7overn*ent open its oors to $or*er 2i(ipinos, (i6e %on7ress*an %r&#, '!o 'ant to re>oin t!e 2i(ipino "o**&nity as "iti#ens a7ain. T!ey are not +a(iens+ in t!e tr&e sense o$ t!e (a'. T!ey are a"t&a((y 2i(ipino ,y ,(oo , ,y ori7in an ,y "&(t&re, '!o 'ant to rea")&ire t!eir $or*er "iti#ens!ip. It "annot ,e enie t!at *ost 2i(ipinos 7o a,roa an app(y $or nat&ra(i#ation in $orei7n "o&ntries, ,e"a&se o$ t!e 7reat e"ono*i" or so"ia( opport&nities t!ere. -en"e, 'e s!o&( 'e("o*e $or*er 2i(ipino "iti#ens esiro&s o$ not si*p(y ret&rnin7 to t!e "o&ntry or re7ainin7 /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip, ,&t o$ servin7 t!e 2i(ipino peop(e as 'e((. One o$ t!ese a *ira,(e 2i(ipino is private respon ent '!o, in on(y a year a$ter ,ein7 a,sent $ro* t!e /!i(ippines $or a,o&t ei7!t 889 years, 'as a(rea y vote *&ni"ipa(

*ayor o$ Man7atare*, /an7asinan. An a$ter servin7 as s&"! $or >&st one ter*, !e 'as over'!e(*in7(y "!osen ,y t!e peop(e to ,e t!eir representative in %on7ress. I reiterate, t!e peop(e !ave spo6en. Det not a restri"tive an paro"!ia( interpretation o$ t!e (a' ,ar t!e soverei7n 'i((. Det not 7rave a,&se ,e i*p&te on t!e (e7iti*ate e<er"ise o$ -RETCs prero7atives. ?-ERE2ORE, I vote to DISMISS t!e petition. Foo no e
1

+Se"tion 1. T!e $o((o'in7 are "iti#ens o$ t!e /!i(ippines: <<< <<< < < <+

829 T!ose '!ose $at!ers or *ot!ers are "iti#ens o$ t!e /!i(ippines=

2

+Se"tion 2. Nat&ra(.,orn "iti#ens are t!ose '!o are "iti#ens $ro* ,irt! 'it!o&t !avin7 to per$or* any a"t to a")&ire or per$e"t t!eir /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip. < < <.+
3

+Se"tion 1. How citizenship may be lost. A 2i(ipino "iti#en *ay (ose !is "iti#ens!ip in any o$ t!e $o((o'in7 'ays an ;or events: <<< <<< < < <+ 849 By ren erin7 servi"es to, or a""eptin7 "o**ission in, t!e ar*e $or"es o$ a $orei7n "o&ntry: < < < .+
4

Se". 1 t!ereo$ provi es: +Se". 1. Any person '!o !a (ost !is /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip ,y ren erin7 servi"e to, or a""eptin7 "o**ission in, t!e Ar*e 2or"es o$ t!e 5nite States, or a$ter separation $ro* t!e Ar*e 2or"es o$ t!e 5nite States, a")&ire 5.S. "iti#ens!ip, *ay rea")&ire /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip ,y ta6in7 an oat! a((e7ian"e to t!e Rep&,(i" o$ t!e /!i(ippines an re7isterin7 t!e sa*e 'it! t!e Do"a( %ivi( Re7istry in t!e p(a"e '!ere !e resi es o$ (ast resi e in t!e /!i(ippines. T!e sai oat! o$ a((e7ian"e s!a(( "ontain a ren&n"iation o$ any ot!er "iti#ens!ip.

4 1 7 8 0

1004 e . I,i ., p. 114= "ite in t!e assai(e -RET Ae"ision, p. 13. 8Ita(i"s o&rs.9 !ebster:s 2hird 6ew 0nternational &ictionary; <nabrid$ed, 1003 e . !ebster:s, i,i ., e$ines reac# ire as +to a")&ire a7ain+, an ac# ire as +to 7et as oneCs o'n.+

%oa v. "ollector of " stoms, 23 /!i( 314, 338 810129, per Trent, '.= "itin7 (oyd v. 2haye, 143 5S 134.
10

Rona( o /. De es*a, An 3 tline of Philippine 0mmi$ration and "itizenship +aws, 1000 e ., p. 344. ,ee also 14 %@S S1, 1128= 3A A* @&r 2 a(iens an %iti#ens, s1411.
11 12

,ee De es*a, i,i ., p. 344. S&pra. Ae"ision, p. 8. I,i . I,i ., p. 0.

13 Assai(e 14 14

11 17

Se".17, Art. IB. 8E*p!asis o&rs.9

+azatin v. H%12, 118 S%RA 301, Ae"e*,er 8, 1088= "o v. 1lectoral 2rib nal of the Ho se of %epresentatives, 100 S%RA 102, @&(y 30, 1001= "itin7 An$ara v. 1lectoral "ommission, 13 /!i( 130 810319.
18

"o v. H%12, i,i ., "itin7 %obles v. H%12, 181 S%RA 780, 2e,r&ary 4, 1000= an )orrero v (ocar, 11 /!i( 420 810389. See a(so +ibanan v. H%12, 283 S%RA 420, Ae"e*,er 22, 1007.
10 20 21 22 23

"o. v. H%12, i,i . ,antia$o v. . in$ona 'r., 208 S%RA 741, Nove*,er 18, 1008. I,i . 2a>ada v. An$ara, 272 S%RA 18, May 2, 1007, per /an7ani,an, '. +T!e $o((o'in7 'ere t!e res&(ts o$ t!e e(e"tion: Teodor o C. Cruz Antonio E. Bengso n III Alberto B. Za u! o "anuel #. Castro "arian o A. &adlan 80,119

53,448

11,941

$%%

1'1(

8-RET Ae"ision, pp. 2.3= ro((o, pp. 37.38.9

24 24 21 27

,inaca v. ) la, 314 S%RA 211, Septe*,er 27, 1000. 4rivaldo v. "omelec, 247 S%RA 727, @&ne 28, 1001= per /an7ani,an, '. 3londriz v. "omelec, 313 S%RA 128, A&7&st 24, 1000. 4rivaldo v. "omelec, s&pra.

28 20

I,i

,ee /a"i$i"o A. A7a,in, +G(o,a(i#ation an t!e @& i"ia( 2&n"tion,+ O dysey and +e$acy; 2he "hief ' stice Andres %. 6arvasa "entennial +ect re ,eries, "o*p(ie an e ite ,y Atty. Antonio M. E(i"iano, p&,(is!e ,y t!e S&pre*e %o&rt /rintin7 Servi"es, 1008 e . ,ee also Artenio B. /an7ani,an, +O( Ao"trines an Ne' /ara i7*s,+ a (e"t&re e(ivere &rin7 t!e S&pre*e %o&rt %entenary De"t&re Series, on 2e,r&ary 13, 2001.

EN BANC G.R. No. -./0.1 ,a2 3, /11ANTONIO BENGSON III, petitioner, vs. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ELECTORAL TRIBUNAL and TEODORO C. CRUZ, respon ents. DISSENTING OPINION SANDOVAL8GUTIERREZ, J.4 ?it! &e respe"t, I isa7ree 'it! t!e ponen"ia o$ @&sti"e Santia7o M. Gap&nan. I a* "onvin"e t!at private respon ent Teo oro %. %r&# is not nat&ra( ,orn "iti#en an , t!ere$ore, *&st ,e is)&a(i$ie as a *e*,er o$ %on7ress. ?!o are nat&ra(.,orn "iti#ensH T!e (a's on "iti#ens!ip I its a")&isition or (oss, an t!e ri7!ts, privi(e7es an i**&nities o$ "iti#ens I !ave 7iven rise to so*e o$ t!e *ost isp&tations an vis"era( iss&es reso(ve ,y t!is %o&rt. T!e pro,(e* is ta6en &p "onne"tion 'it! t!e soverei7n ri7!t o$ voters to "!oose t!eir representatives in %on7ress. In t!is petition $or "ertiorari, petitioner Antonio Ben7son III as6s t!is %o&rt o$ Representative o$ t!e Se"on Aistri"t o$ /an7asinan ,e"a&se !e oes not posses t!e "onstit&tiona( re)&ire*ent o$ ,ein7 a nat&ra(.,orn "iti#en o$ t!is "o&ntry. Respon ent, on t!e ot!er !an , insists t!at !e is )&a(i$ie to ,e e(e"te to %on7ress "onsi erin7 t!at ,y repatriation, !e re.a")&ire !is stat&s as a nat&ra(.,orn 2i(ipino "iti#en. Re"or s s!o' t!at Teo oro %r&# 'as ,orn in t!e /!i(ippines on Apri( 27, 1010 to 2i(ipino parents, spo&ses Da*,erto an %ar*e(ita %r&#. On Nove*,er 4, 1084, !e en(iste in t!e 5nite States Ar*e 2or"es an serve t!e 5nite States Marine %orps. ?!i(e in t!e servi"e $or a(*ost $ive years, !e app(ie $or nat&ra(i#ation 'it! t!e 5S Aistri"t %o&rt o$ Nort!ern Aistri"t o$ %a(i$ornia an 'as iss&e !is %erti$i"ate o$ Nat&ra(i#ation No. 14441703 as an A*eri"an "iti#en. On O"to,er 27, 1003, !e 'as !onora,(y is"!ar7e $ro* t!e 5S Marine %orps. -e t!en e"i e to ret&rn to t!e /!i(ippines. %r&# avai(e o$ repatriation &n er R.A. No. 2130, an a"t provi in7 $or rea")&isition o$ /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip ,y persons '!o (ost s&"! "iti#ens!ip ,y ren erin7 servi"e to or a""eptin7 "o**ission in t!e Ar*e 2or"es o$ t!e 5nite States. On Mar"! 17, 1004, !e too6 !is oat! o$ a((e7ian"e to t!e Rep&,(i" o$ t!e /!i(ippines. T!e oat! 'as re7istere 'it! t!e Do"a( %ivi( Re7istry o$ Man7atare*, /an7asinan. On t!e sa*e ate, !e e<e"&te an A$$i avit o$ Rea")&isition o$ /!i(ippine %iti#ens!ip. T!&s, on Apri( 11, 1004, t!e B&rea& o$ I**i7ration an Aeportation or ere t!e "an"e((ation o$ !is A(ien %erti$i"ate o$ Resi en"e 8I%R No. 2814829 an iss&e !i* an I enti$i"ation %erti$i"ate. T!e "an"e((ation o$ !is A%R an I%R 'as a$$ir*e ,y t!e @&sti"e Aepart*ent. On @an&ary 18, 1004,

t!e 5nite States E*,assy in Mani(a iss&e to !i* a %erti$i"ate o$ Doss o$ Nationa(ity o$ t!e 5nite States. In t!e (o"a( e(e"tion o$ 1004, %r&# $i(e !is "erti$i"ate o$ "an i a"y $or *ayor o$ Man7atare*, /an7asinan, e"(arin7 !i*se($ to ,e a nat&ra(i#e 2i(ipino "iti#en. -e 'on an serve as *ayor $or one ter*. T!erea$ter, %r&# $i(e !is "erti$i"ate o$ "an i a"y $or a seat in %on7ress, t!is ti*e e"(arin7 !i*se($ as a nat&ra(.,orn 2i(ipino. A7ain, !e 'on 'it! a (ea o$ 21,171 votes over "an i ate Antonio Ben7son, III. On Septe*,er 3, 1008, %r&# 'as pro"(ai*e 'inner in t!e "on7ressiona( ra"e in t!e Se"on Aistri"t o$ /an7asinan. Ben7son t!en $i(e a petition $or Q o !arranto Ad "a telam 'it! t!e -o&se o$ Representative E(e"tora( not ,ein7 a nat&ra(.,orn 2i(ipino "iti#en '!en !e $i(e !is %erti$i"ate o$ %an i a"y on Mar"! 14, 1008, is not )&a(i$ie to r&n as a *e*,er o$ t!e -o&se o$ Representatives. T!at !e s!o&( ,e a nat&ra(.,orn "iti#en is a )&a(i$i"ation *an ate ,y Se"tion 1, Arti"(e BI o$ t!e %onstit&tion '!i"! provi es: +No person s!a(( ,e a *e*,er o$ t!e -o&se o$ Representatives &n(ess !e is a nat&ra(.,orn "iti#en o$ t!e /!i(ippines.+ A$ter ora( ar7&*ents an t!e s&,*ission ,y t!e parties o$ t!eir respe"tive *e*oran a an s&pp(e*enta( *e*oran a, t!e -RET ren ere a e"ision !o( in7 t!at %r&# rea")&ire !is nat&ra(.,orn "iti#ens!ip &pon !is repatriation in 1004 an e"(arin7 !i* &(y e(e"te representative o$ t!e Se"on Aistri"t o$ /an7asinan in t!e May 11, 1008 e(e"tions, t!&s: +?-ERE2ORE, t!e petition $or # o warranto is AISMISSEA an Respon ent Teo oro %. %r&# is !ere,y AE%DAREA &(y e(e"te Representative o$ t!e Se"on Aistri"t o$ /an7asinan in t!e May 11, 1008 e(e"tions. +As soon as t!is Ae"ision ,e"o*es $ina( an e<e"&tory, (et noti"es an "opies t!ereo$ ,e sent to t!e /resi ent o$ t!e /!i(ippines= t!e -o&se o$ Representatives, t!ro&7! t!e Spea6er, an t!e %o**ission on A& it, t!ro&7! its %!air*an, p&rs&ant to R&(e 71 o$ t!e 1008 R&(es o$ t!e -o&se o$ Representatives E(e"tora( Tri,&na(. %osts de oficio.? On Mar"! 13, 2000, Ben7son $i(e a *otion $or re"onsi eration o$ t!e sai Ae"ision ,&t t!e sa*e 'as enie ,y t!e -RET in Reso(&tion No. 00.48. Ben7son no' "o*es to &s via a petition $or "ertiorari assai(in7 t!e -RET Ae"ision on 7ro&n s t!at: +1. T!e -RET "o**itte serio&s errors an 7rave a,&se o$ is"retion, a*o&ntin7 to e<"ess o$ >&ris i"tion, '!en it r&(e t!at private respon ent is a nat&ra(.,orn "iti#en o$ t!e /!i(ippines espite t!e $a"t t!at !e !a "ease ,ein7 s&"! in vie' o$ t!e (oss an ren&"iation o$ s&"! "iti#ens!ip on !is part. +2. T!e -RET "o**itte serio&s errors an 7rave a,&se o$ is"retion, a*o&ntin7 to e<"ess o$ >&ris i"tion, '!en it "onsi ere private respon ent as a "iti#en o$ t!e /!i(ippines espite t!e $a"t t!at !e i not va(i (y a")&ire !is /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip. +3. Ass&*in7 t!at private respon entCs a")&isition o$ /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip 'as inva(i , t!e -RET "o**itte serio&s errors an 7rave a,&se o$ is"retion, a*o&ntin7 to e<"ess o$ espite t!e $a"t t!at s&"! rea")&isition "o&( not (e7a((y an "onstit&tiona((y restore !is nat&ra(.,orn stat&s.+ T!e so(e iss&e raise in t!is petition is '!et!er or not respon ent %r&# 'as nat&ra(.,orn "iti#en o$ t!e /!i(ippines at t!e ti*e o$ t!e $i(in7 o$ !is %erti$i"ate o$ %an i a"y $or a seat in t!e -o&se o$ Representatives.

Se"tion 2, Arti"(e IB o$ t!e %onstit&tion1 provi es: +Se". 2. Nat&ra(.,orn "iti#ens are t!ose '!o are "iti#ens o$ t!e /!i(ippines $ro* ,irt! 'it!o&t !avin7 to per$or* any a"t to a")&ire or per$e"t t!eir /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip. <<<.+ /etitioner an respon ent present opposin7 interpretations o$ t!e p!rase +$ro* ,irt!+ "ontaine in t!e a,ove provisions. /etitioner "onten s t!at t!e p!rase +$ro* ,irt!+ in i"ates t!at "iti#ens!ip *&st start at a e$inite point an *&st ,e "ontin&o&s, "onstant an 'it!o&t interr&ption. T!e %onstit&tion oes not e<ten t!e privi(e7e o$ rea")&irin7 a nat&ra(.,orn "iti#en stat&s to respon ent, '!o at one ti*e, ,e"a*e an a(ien. -is (oss o$ "iti#ens!ip "arrie 'it! it t!e "on"o*itant (oss o$ a(( t!e ,ene$its, privi(e7es an attri,&tes o$ +nat&ra(.,orn+ "iti#ens!ip. ?!en !e rea")&ire !is "iti#ens!ip in 1004, !e !a to "o*p(y 'it! re)&ire*ents $or repatriation, t!&s e$$e"tive(y ta6in7 !i* o&t o$ t!e "onstit&tiona( e$inition o$ a nat&ra(.,orn 2i(ipino. 2or !is part, respon ent *aintains t!at t!e p!rase +$ro* ,irt!+ re$ers to t!e innate, in!erent an in,orn "!ara"teristi" o$ ,ein7 a +nat&ra(.,orn+. Sin"e !e 'as ,orn to 2i(ipino $ro* ,irt!. -is rea")&isition o$ /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip &n er Rep&,(i" A"t No. 2130 res&(ts in !is rea")&isition o$ !is in!erent "!ara"teristi" o$ ,ein7 a nat&ra(.,orn "iti#en. 2or !is part, respon ent *aintains t!at t!e p!rase +$ro* ,irt!+ re$ers to t!e innate, in!erent an in,orn "!ara"teristi" o$ ,ein7 a +nat&ra(.,orn+. Sin"e !e 'as ,orn to 2i(ipino parents, !e !as ,een a nat&ra(. ,orn 2i(ipino $ro* ,irt!. -is rea")&isition o$ /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip &n er Rep&,(i" A"t No. 2130 res&(ts in !is rea")&isition o$ !is in!erent "!ara"teristi" o$ ,ein7 a nat&ra(.,orn "iti#en. T!e state o$ ,ein7 a nat&ra(.,orn "iti#en !as ,een re7ar e , not so *&"! in its (itera( sense, ,&t *ore in its (e7a( "onnotation. T!e very $irst nat&ra(.,orn 2i(ipinos i not a")&ire t!at stat&s at ,irt!. T!ey 'ere ,orn as Spanis! s&,>e"ts. In Roa vs. %o((e"tor o$ %&sto*s,2 t!e S&pre*e %o&rt tra"es t!e 7rant o$ nat&ra(.,orn stat&s $ro* t!e Treaty o$ /aris, an t!e A"ts o$ %on7ress o$ @&(y 1, 1002 an Mar"! 23, 1012, '!i"! is a reena"t*ent o$ Se"tion 4 o$ t!e $or*er 'it! a proviso '!i"! rea s: +Provided, T!at t!e /!i(ippine De7is(at&re is !ere,y a&t!ori#e to provi e ,y (a' $or t!e a")&isition o$ /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip ,y t!ose natives o$ t!e /!i(ippine Is(an s '!o o not "o*e 'it!in t!e $ore7oin7 provisions, t!e natives o$ ot!er Ins&(ar possessions o$ t!e 5nite States an s&"! ot!er persons resi in7 in t!e /!i(ippine Is(an s '!o "o&( ,e"o*e "iti#ens o$ t!e 5nite State &n er t!e (a's o$ t!e 5nite State, i$ resi in7 t!erein.+ It 'as $&rt!er !e( t!erein t!at &n er t!e sai provision, +every person ,orn t!e 11 t! o$ Apri(, o$ parents '!o 'ere Spanis! s&,>e"ts on t!at ate an '!o "ontin&e to resi e in t!is "o&ntry are at t!e *o*ent o$ t!eir ,irt! ipso facto "iti#ens o$ t!e /!i(ippine Is(an s.+ 5n er t!e Apri( 7, 1000 Instr&"tions o$ /resi ent ?i((ia* M"Gin(ey to t!e Se"on /!i(ippine %o**ission, "onsi ere as o&r $irst "o(onia( "!arter o$ $&n a*enta( (a', 'e 'ere re$erre to as +peop(e o$ t!e Is(an s,+ or +in!a,itants o$ t!e /!i(ippine Is(an s,+ or +natives o$ t!e Is(an s+ an not as "iti#ens, *&"! (ess nat&ra(.,orn "iti#ens. T!e $irst e$inition o$ +"iti#ens o$ t!e /!i(ippine Is(an s+ in o&r (a' is $o&n in Se"tion 4 o$ t!e /!i(ippine Bi(( o$ 1002.3 /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip, in"(& in7 t!e stat&s o$ nat&ra(.,orn, 'as initia((y a (oose or even non.e<istent )&a(i$i"ation. As a re)&ire*ent $or t!e e<er"ise o$ "ertain ri7!ts an privi(e7es, it ,e"a*e a *ore stri"t an i$$i"&(t stat&s to a"!ieve 'it! t!e passin7 o$ t!e years. Ear(y e"isions o$ t!e S&pre*e %o&rt !e( t!at /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip "o&( ,e a")&ire &n er eit!er t!e >&s san7&inis or >&s so(i o"trine.4

T!is (i,era( po(i"y 'as app(ie even as t!e /!i(ippine Bi(( o$ 1002 an t!e @ones Da' o$ t!e /!i(ippine A&tono*y A"t o$ 1011 appear to !ave (i*ite +"iti#ens o$ t!e /!i(ippine Is(an s+ to resi ent in!a,itants '!o 'ere Spanis! s&,>e"ts on Apri( 11, 1800, t!eir "!i( ren ,orn s&,se)&ent t!ereto, an (ater, t!ose nat&ra(i#e a""or in7 to (a' ,y t!e /!i(ippine (e7is(at&re. On(y (ater 'as >&s san7&inis $ir*(y app(ie an >&s so(i a,an one . -en"e, t!e stat&s o$ ,ein7 a nat&ra(.,orn "iti#en at its in"ipient is a privi(e7e "on$erre ,y (a' ire"t(y to t!ose '!o inten e , an a"t&a((y "ontin&e , to ,e(on7 to t!e /!i(ippine Is(an . Even at t!e ti*e o$ its "on"eption in t!e /!i(ippines, s&"! persons &pon '!o* "iti#ens!ip 'as "on$erre i not !ave to o anyt!in7 to a")&ire $&(( "iti#ens!ip.4 Respon ent 'ants &s to ,e(ieve t!at sin"e !e 'as nat&ra(.,orn 2i(ipino at ,irt!, !avin7 ,een ,orn in t!e /!i(ippines to 2i(ipino parents, !e 'as a&to*ati"a((y restore to t!at stat&s '!en !e s&,se)&ent(y rea")&ire !is "iti#ens!ip a$ter (osin7 it. /&,(i" respon ent -RET a$$ir*e respon entCs position '!en it prono&n"e t!at t!e e$inition o$ nat&ra(.,orn "iti#en in Se"tion 2, Arti"(e IB o$ t!e %onstit&tion re$ers to t!e "(asses o$ "iti#ens en&*erate in Se"tion 1 o$ t!e sa*e Arti"(e, to 'it: +Se"tion 1. T!e $o((o'in7 are "iti#ens o$ t!e /!i(ippines: 819 T!ose '!o are "iti#ens o$ t!e /!i(ippines at t!e ti*e o$ t!e a option o$ t!is %onstit&tion= 829 T!ose '!ose $at!ers or *ot!ers are "iti#ens o$ t!e /!i(ippines= 839 T!ose ,orn ,e$ore @an&ary 17, 1073, o$ 2i(ipino *ot!ers, '!o e(e"t /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip &pon rea"!in7 t!e a7e o$ *a>ority= an 849 T!ose '!o are nat&ra(i#e in a""or an"e 'it! (a'.+ T!&s , respon ent -RET !e( t!at &n er t!e a,ove en&*eration, t!ere are on(y t'o "(asses o$ "iti#ens, i.e., nat&ra(.,orn an nat&ra(i#e . Sin"e respon ent %r&# is not a nat&ra(i#e "iti#en, t!en !e is a nat&ra(.,orn 2i(ipino "iti#en. I o not a7ree. I reiterate t!at Se"tion 2, Arti"(e IB o$ t!e %onstit&tion e$ines nat&ra(.,orn "iti#ens as + t!ose '!o are "iti#ens o$ t!e /!i(ippines $ro* ,irt! 'it!o&t !avin7 to per$or* any a"t to a")&ire or per$e"t t!eir /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip.+ /&rs&ant to R.A. No. 2130, )&ote as $o((o': +Rep&,(i" A"t No. 2130. AN A%T /ROBIAING 2OR REA%J5ISITION O2 /-IDI//INE %ITIKENS-I/ BL /ERSONS ?-O DOST S5%- %ITIKENS-I/ BL RENAERING SERBI%E TO, OR A%%E/TING %OMMISSION IN, T-E ARMEA 2OR%ES O2 T-E 5NITEA STATES, provi es: Se"tion 1. Any person '!o !a (ost !is /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip ,e ren erin7 servi"e to, or a""eptin7 "o**ission in t!e Ar*e 2or"es o$ t!e 5nite States, or a$ter separation $ro* t!e Ar*e 2or"es o$ t!e 5nite States, a")&ire 5nite States "iti#ens!ip, *ay rea")&ire /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip ,y ta6in7 an oat! o$ a((e7ian"e to t!e Rep&,(i" o$ t!e /!i(ippines an re7isterin7 t!e sa*e 'it! t!e Do"a( %ivi( Re7istry in t!e p(a"e '!ere !e resi es or (ast resi e in t!e /!i(ippines. T!e sai oat! o$ a((e7ian"e s!a(( "ontain a ren&n"iation o$ any ot!er "iti#ens!ip.+ respon ent %r&# !a per$or* "ertain a"ts ,e$ore !e "o&( a7ain ,e"o*e a 2i(ipino "iti#en. -e !a to ta6e an oat! o$ a((e7ian"e to t!e Rep&,(i" o$ t!e /!i(ippines an re7ister !is oat! 'it! t!e Do"a( %ivi( Re7istry o$ Man7atar&*, /an7asinan. -e !a to reno&n"e !is A*eri"an "iti#ens!ip an !a to e<e"&te an a$$i avit o$ rea")&isition o$ /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip.

%(ear(y, !e i not rea")&ire !is nat&ra(.,orn "iti#ens!ip. T!e "ar ina( r&(e in t!e interpretation an "onstit&tion o$ a "onstit&tion is to 7ive e$$e"t to t!e intention o$ t!e $ra*ers an o$ t!e peop(e '!o a opte it. ?or s appearin7 in %onstit&tion are &se a""or in7 to t!eir p(ain, nat&ra(, an &s&a( si7ni$i"an"e an i*port an *&st ,e &n erstoo in t!e sense *ost o,vio&s to t!e "o**on &n erstan in7 o$ t!e peop(e at t!e ti*e o$ its a option. T!e provision on +nat&ra(.,orn "iti#ens o$ t!e /!i(ippines+ is pre"ise, "(ear an e$inite. In ee , neit!er -RET nor t!is %o&rt "an "onstr&e it ot!er t!an '!at its p(ain *eanin7 "onveys. It is not p!rase in 7enera( (an7&a7e '!i"! *ay "a(( $or "onstr&"tion o$ '!at t!e 'or s i*p(y. In @. M. T&ason M %o., In". vs. Dan Ten&re A *inistration,1 t!is %o&rt !e( : +As"ertain*ent o$ *eanin7 o$ provisions o$ %onstit&tion ,e7ins 'it! t!e (an7&a7e o$ t!e o"&*ent itse($. T!e 'or s &se in t!e %onstit&tion are to ,e 7iven t!eir or inary *eanin7, e<"ept '!ere te"!ni"a( ter*s are e*p(oye , in '!i"! "ase t!e si7ni$i"an"e t!&s atta"!e to t!e* prevai(s. As t!e %onstit&tion is not pri*ari(y a (a'yerCs o"&*ent, it ,ein7 essentia( $or t!e r&(e o$ (a' to o,tain t!at it s!o&( ever ,e present in t!e peop(eCs "ons"io&sness, its (an7&a7e as *&"! as possi,(e, s!o&( ,e &n erstoo in t!e sense t!ey !ave in "o**on &se. ?!at it says a""or in7 to t!e te<t o$ t!e provision to ,e "onstr&e "o*pe(s a""eptan"e an ne7ates t!e po'er o$ t!e "o&rts to a(ter it, ,ase on t!e post&(ate t!at t!e $ra*ers an t!e peop(e *ean '!at t!ey say.+ T!e e$inition o$ a nat&ra(.,orn "iti#en in t!e %onstit&tion *&st ,e app(ie to t!is petition a""or in7 to its nat&ra( sense. Respon ent -RET (i6e'ise r&(e t!at t!e +rea")&isition o$ /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip t!ro&7! any o$ t!ese *o es: 8nat&ra(i#ation, repatriation an (e7is(ation &n er Se"tion 3, %.A. No. 139 res&(ts in t!e restoration o$ previo&s stat&s, eit!er as a nat&ra(.,orn or a nat&ra(i#e "iti#en+ is a si*p(isti" approa"! an ten s to ,e *is(ea in7. I$ "iti#ens!ip is 7aine t!ro&7! nat&ra(i#ation, repatriation or (e7is(ation, t!e "iti#en "on"erne "an not ,e "onsi ere nat&ra(.,orn. O,vio&s(y, !e !as to per$or* "ertain a"ts to ,e"o*e a "iti#en. As e<presse in t!e Aissent o$ @&sti"e @ose %. Bit&7 7 in t!e instant "ase, "on"&rre in ,y @&sti"e A.R. Me(o:8 +Repatriation is t!e res&*ption or re"overy o$ t!e ori7ina( nationa((y &pon t!e $&($i((*ent o$ "ertain "on itions. ?!i(e an app(i"ant nee not !ave to &n er7o t!e te io&s an ti*e "ons&*in7 pro"ess re)&ire ,y t!e Revise Nat&ra(i#ation Da' 8%A 473, s a*en e 9, !e, nevert!e(ess, 'o&( sti(( !ave to *a6e an e<press an &ne)&ivo"a( a"t o$ $or*a((y re>e"tin7 !is a opte state an rea$$ir*in7 !is tota( an e<"(&sive a((e7ian"e an (oya(ty to t!e Rep&,(i" o$ t!e /!i(ippines. It ,ears e*p!asis t!at, to ,e o$ se"tion 2, Arti"(e IB, o$ t!e 1087 %onstit&tion, one s!o&( not !ave to per$or* any a"t at a(( or 7o t!ro&7! any pro"ess, >& i"ia( or a *inistrative, to ena,(e !i* to rea")&ire !is "iti#ens!ip. 'i((o&7!,y opines t!at a nat&ra(.,orn "iti#en is one '!o is a,(e to "(ai* "iti#ens!ip 'it!o&t any prior e"(aration on !is part o$ a esire to o,tain s&"! stat&s. 5n er t!is vie', t!e ter* Cnat&ra( ,ornC "iti#ens "o&( a(so "over t!ose '!o !ave ,een "o((e"tive(y ee*e "iti#ens ,y reason o$ t!e Treaty o$ /aris an t!e /!i(ippine Bi(( o$ 1002 an t!ose '!o !ave ,een a""or e ,y t!e 1034 %onstit&tion to ,e 2i(ipino "iti#ens 8t!ose ,orn in t!e /!i(ippines o$ a(ien parents '!o, ,e$ore t!e a option o$ t!e 1034 %onstit&tion !a ,een e(e"te to p&,(i" o$$i"e.9+ T!e t'o issentin7 @&sti"e "orre"t(y state t!at t!e +strin7ent re)&ire*ent o$ t!e %onstit&tion is so p(a"e as to ins&re t!at on(y 2i(ipino "iti#ens 'it! an a,so(&te an per*anent e7ree o$ a((e7ian"e an

(oya(ty s!a(( ,e e(i7i,(e $or *e*,ers!ip in %on7ress, t!e ,ran"! o$ t!e 7overn*ent ire"t(y invo(ve an 7iven t!e e i"ate tas6 o$ (e7is(ation.+ T!e issentin7 opinion $&rt!er states: +T!e ter* Cnat&ra(.,ornC 2i(ipino "iti#en, $irst "onstit&tiona((y e$ine in t!e 1073 %!arter, (ater a opte ,y t!e 1087 %onstit&tion, parti"&(ar(y in Se"tion 2, Arti"(e IB t!ereo$, is *eant to re$er to t!ose C '!o are "iti#ens o$ t!e /!i(ippines $ro* ,irt! 'it!o&t !avin7 to per$or* any a"t to a")&ire or per$e"t t!eir "iti#ens!ip,C an to t!ose C '!o e(e"t /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip.C Ti*e an a7ain, t!e S&pre*e %o&rt !as e"(are t!at '!ere t!e (a's spea6s in "(ear an "ate7ori"a( (an7&a7e, t!ere is no roo* $or interpretation, va"i((ation or e)&ivo"ation I t!ere is on(y roo* $or app(i"ation. T!e p!rase C$ro* ,irt! in i"ates t!at t!ere is a startin7 point o$ !is "iti#ens!ip an t!is "iti#ens!ip s!o&( ,e "ontin&o&s, "onstant an 'it!o&t interr&ption.+ T!&s, respon ent is not e(i7i,(e $or e(e"tion to %on7ress as t!e %onstit&tion re)&ires t!at a *e*,er o$ t!e -o&se o$ Representative *&st ,e a +nat&ra(.,orn "iti#en o$ t!e /!i(ippines.+ 2or s&re, t!e $ra*ers o$ o&r %onstit&tion inten e to provi e a *ore strin7ent "iti#ens!ip re)&ire*ent $or !i7!er e(e"tive o$$i"es, in"(& in7 t!at o$ t!e o$$i"e o$ a %on7ress*an. Ot!er'ise, t!e %onstit&tion s!o&( !ave si*p(y provi e t!at a "an i ate $or s&"! position "an ,e *ere(y a "iti#en o$ t!e /!i(ippines, as re)&ire o$ (o"a( e(e"tive o$$i"ers. T!e spirit o$ nationa(is* perva in7 t!e 1034 %onstit&tion, t!e $irst "!arter $ra*e an rati$ie ,y t!e 2i(ipino 8even as t!e ra$t !a to ,e approve ,y /resi ent 2ran6(in Ae(ano Rooseve(t o$ t!e 5nite States9 7&i e an 7overns t!e interpretation o$ /!i(ippine "iti#ens!ip an t!e *ore narro' an ,o&n en "on"ept o$ ,ein7 a nat&ra(.,orn "iti#en. 5n er t!e 1034 "ostit&tion,0 t!e re)&ire*ent o$ nat&ra(.,orn "iti#ens!ip 'as app(i"a,(e to t!e /resi ent an Bi"e /ersi ent.10 A person '!o !a ,een a "iti#en $or on(y $ive 849 years "o&( ,e e(e"te to t!e Nationa( Asse*,(y.11 On(y in 1040,12 '!en t!e $irst %onstit&tion 'as a*en e i nat&ra(.,orn "iti#ens!ip ,e"o*e a re)&ire*ent $or Senators an Me*,ers o$ t!e -o&se o$ Representatives. 13 A 2i(ipino nat&ra(i#e $or at (east $ive 849 years "o&( sti(( ,e appointe @&sti"e o$ t!e S&pre*e "o&rt or a @& 7e o$ a (o'er "o&rt.14 T!e !istory o$ t!e %onstit&tion s!o's t!at t!e *eanin7 an app(i"ation o$ t!e re)&ire*ent o$ ,ein7 nat&ra(.,orn !ave ,e"o*e *ore narro' an )&a(i$ie over t!e years. 5n er t!e 1073 %onstit&tion, 14 t!e /resi ent, *e*,ers o$ t!e Nationa( Asse*,(y, /ri*e Minister, @&sti"es o$ t!e S&pre*e %o&rt, @& 7es o$ in$erior "o&rts, t!e "!air*en an *e*,ers o$ t!e %onstit&tiona( %o**ission an t!e *a>ority o$ *e*,ers o$ t!e "a,inet *&st ,e nat&ra(.,orn "iti#ens. 11 T!e 1087 %onstit&tion a e t!e O*,& s*an an !is ep&ties an t!e *e*,ers o$ t!e %o**ission on -&*an Ri7!ts to t!ose '!o *&st ,e nat&ra(.,orn "iti#ens.17 T!e )&estione Ae"ision o$ respon ent -RET reverses t!e !istori"a( tren an "(ear inten *ent o$ t!e %onstit&tion. It s!o's a *ore (i,era(, i$ not a "ava(ier approa"! to t!e *eanin7 an i*port o$ nat&ra( ,orn "iti#en an "iti#ens!ip in 7enera(. It ,ears stressin7 t!at 'e are tra"in7 an en$or"in7 a o"trine e*,o ie in no (ess t!at t!e "onstit&tion. In ee , a eviation $ro* t!e "(ear an "onstit&tiona( e$inition o$ a +nat&ra( ,orn 2i(ipino "iti#en+ is a *atter '!i"! "an on(y ,e a""o*p(is!e t!ro&7! a "onstit&tiona( a*en *ent. %(ear(y respon ent -RET 7rave(y a,&se its is"retion. Respon ent %r&# !as avai(e !i*se($ o$ t!e pro"e &re '!ere,y !is "iti#ens!ip !as ,een restore . -e "an r&n $or p&,(i" o$$i"e '!ere nat&ra(.,orn "iti#ens!ip is not *an ate . B&t !e "annot ,e e(e"te to

!i7! o$$i"es '!i"! t!e %onstit&tion !as reserve on(y $or nat&ra(.,orn 2i(ipino "iti#ens. +HEREFORE, I vote to GRANT t!e petition.1wphi1.nt Foo no e
1 2 3

1087 %onstit&tion o$ t!e Rep&,(i" o$ t!e /!i(ippines. 23 /!i( 314 810129.

Se"tion 4. T!at a(( in!a,itants o$ t!e /!i(ippine Is(an s "ontin&in7 to resi e t!erein '!o 'ere Spanis! s&,>e"ts on t!e e(event! ay o$ Apri(, ei7!teen !&n re an ninety.nine an t!en resi e in sai Is(an s, an t!eir "!i( ren ,orn s&,se)&ent t!ereto, s!a(( ,e ee*e an !e( to ,e "iti#ens o$ t!e /!i(ippine Is(an s an as s&"! entit(e to t!e prote"tion o$ t!e 5nite States, e<"ept s&"! as s!a(( !ave e(e"te to preserve t!eir a((e7ian"e to t!e %ro'n o$ Spain in a""or an"e 'it! t!e provision o$ t!e treaty o$ pea"e ,et'een t!e 5nite States an Spain si7ne at /aris, Ae"e*,er tent!, ei7!teen !&n re an ninety.ei7!t.
4

Roa vs. %o((e"tor o$ %&sto*s, s pra= Di* Te"o vs. %o((e"tor, 24 /!i( 84= 810139 5nite State vs. Di* Bin, 31 /!i( 024 810179.
4 1 7 8 0

Roa vs. %o((e"tor o$ %&sto*s, ibid. 31 S%RA 413 810709. Me*,er o$ t!e -RET. %!air*an, ibid.

T!is re$ers to t!e 1034 %onstit&tion as a opte ,y t!e /!i(ippine %onstit&tion %onvention on 2e,r&ary 8, 1034, si7ne ,y /resi ent 2ran6(in A. Rooseve(t on Mar"! 23, 1034 an rati$ie ,y 2i(ipino voters in a p(e,is"ite !e( on May 14, 1034.
10 11 12

Se"tion 3, Arti"(e BIII. 1034 %onstit&tion. Se"tion 2, Arti"(e BI, ibid.

T!e 1034 %onstit&tion 'as amended ,y Reso(&tion N&*,ere Seventy.t!ree, a opte ,y t!e Se"on Nationa( Asse*,(y on t!e 11t! ay o$ Apri( 1040, an approve ,y t!e /resi ent o$ t!e 5nite Sates on Ae"e*,er 2, 040.
13 14 14

Se"tion 4 an 7, Arti"(e BI, 1034 %onstit&tion, as a*en e . Se"tion 1 an 8, Arti"(e BIII, ibid.

T!is re$ers to t!e 1073 %onstit&tion as approve ,y t!e 2i(ipino peop(e in a re$eren &* !e( ,et'een @an&ary 10, 1073 an @an&ary 14, 1073 an '!i"! ,e"a*e e$$e"tive on @an&ary 17, 1073.
11

Se"tion 2, Arti"(e BII= se"tion 4, Arti"(e BIII= Se"tion 3 an 4, Arti"(e IN= Se"tion 3 819 an 829, Arti"(e N= Se"tion 1 819 Arti"(e NII.B, Se"tion 1819, Arti"(e NIII.%= Se"tion 1819 Arti"(e NII.A, 1073 %onstit&tion.
17

Se"tion 8, Arti"(e NI= an Se"tion 17829, Arti"(e NIII, 1087 %onstit&tion