1.

THE 1987 CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC  ● The  doctrine  that  an  individual  may  be 
OF THE PHILIPPINES – ARTICLE IV  compelled  to  retain  his  original  nationality 
ARTICLE IV  notwithstanding  that  he  has  already 
CITIZENSHIP  renounced  or forfeited it under the laws of the 
Section  1.  The  following  are  citizens  of  the  2nd state whose nationality he has acquired. 
Philippines:   
[1]  Those  who  are  citizens  of the Philippines at  5. Loss and Reacquisition of Citizenship 
the time of the adoption of this Constitution;   
[2]  Those  whose  fathers  or  mothers  are  CITIZENSHIP RETENTION AND 
citizens of the Philippines;  REACQUISITION OF 2003 (RA 9225) 
[3]  Those  born  before  January  17,  1973,  of   
Filipino  mothers,  who  elect  Philippine  ● WHAT IS REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9225? 
citizenship  upon  reaching  the  age  of  majority;   
and  Republic Act No. 9225 otherwise known as 
[4]  Those  who  are  naturalized  in  accordance  the Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition 
with law.  Act of 2003 declares that natural-born 
Section  2.  Natural-born  citizens  are  those  who  citizens of the Philippines who become 
are  citizens  of  the  Philippines  from  birth  citizens of another country shall be deemed 
without  having  to perform any act to acquire or  not to have lost their Philippine citizenship. 
perfect  their  Philippine  citizenship.  Those  who   
elect  Philippine  citizenship  in  accordance  with  ● WHO QUALIFIES TO APPLY UNDER THE 
paragraph  (3),  Section  1  hereof  shall  be  CITIZENSHIP RETENTION AND 
deemed natural-born citizens.  REACQUISITION ACT OF 2003? 
Section  3.  Philippine  citizenship  may  be lost or   
reacquired in the manner provided by law.  Only natural-born citizens of the Philippines 
Section  4.  Citizens  of  the  Philippines  who  who have lost their Philippine citizenship by 
marry  aliens  shall  retain  their  citizenship,  reason of their naturalization as citizens of a 
unless  by  their  act  or  omission,  they  are  foreign country may retain/reacquire their 
deemed, under the law, to have renounced it.  Philippine citizenship under this Act.  
Section  5.  Dual  allegiance  of  citizens  is   
inimical  to  the  national  interest  and  shall  be  RA 9225 does not apply to dual citizens, i.e., 
dealt with by law.  those who have both Philippine as well as 
2. Who are Citizens of the Philippines?  foreign citizenship not acquired through 
Naturalization, Pathway to Filipino Citizenship  naturalization. 
● Those  who  are  citizens  of  the  Philippines  at   
the adoption of this Constitution.  ● HOW DOES ONE PROVE THAT HE OR SHE IS 
● Those  whose  fathers  or  mothers  are  A NATURAL-BORN FILIPINO? 
citizens of the Philippines.   
● Those  born  before  January  17,  1973,  of  A former natural-born citizen, who was born 
Filipino  mothers,  who  elect  Philippine  in the Philippines, shall submit the 
citizenship  upon  reaching  the  age  of  NSO-authenticated copy of his or her birth 
majority, and.  certificate. 
● Those  who  are  naturalized  in  accordance   
with the law  A former natural-born citizen, who was born 
  abroad, shall present a copy of the Report of 
3. Mode of Acquiring Citizenship  Birth issued by the Philippine Embassy or 
  Consulate and, in applicable cases, the 
● Citizenship  from  birth,  which  is  typically  original copy of the Birth Certificate by 
either  acquired  through  place-of-birth  (“Jus  competent foreign authorities. 
Soli”) or though lineage (“Jus Sanguinis”).   
● Citizenship  through  naturalization,  which  is  ● WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE IN APPLYING 
typically  acquired  later  in  life  (i.e.  not  from  AND WHAT DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED IN 
birth).  ORDER TO APPLY? 
   
4. Doctrine of Indelible Allegiance 
 1) Applicant shall present a copy of his/her  A former natural-born citizen who is already in 
Birth Certificate issued or duly- authenticated  the Philippines but has not registered with the 
by the National Statistics Office (NSO) in  BI within 60 days from date of arrival shall file 
Manila.  a petition under oath to the Commissioner of 
  Immigration for the issuance of an IC under 
2) Applicant accomplishes form entitled  RA 9225. 
“Petition for Dual Citizenship and Issuance of   
Identification Certificate (IC) pursuant to RA  ● WHERE DO I APPLY FOR RE-ACQUISITION 
9225” and attaches three (3) 2”x2”  OF PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP IF I AM 
photographs showing the front, left side and  OVERSEAS? 
right side views of the applicant.   
  A former natural-born citizen who is abroad 
3) Applicant submits duly-accomplished  but is a BI-registered alien shall file a petition 
petition to the Philippine Consulate /  under oath to the nearest Philippine Embassy 
Embassy together with the photos, birth  or Consulate for evaluation. Thereafter, the 
certificate and a valid ID.  Embassy or Consulate shall forward the 
  entire records to the Commissioner of 
(Note: applicants who are married and who  Immigration for the cancellation of the ACR 
wish to use their married names must submit  and issuance of an IC under RA 9225. 
a copy of their marriage certificate).   
  A former natural-born citizen who is abroad 
4) Applicant pays a processing fee of US$  and is not a BI-registered alien shall file a 
50.00 and is assigned a schedule for his/her  petition under oath to the nearest Philippine 
oath of allegiance before a consular officer.  Embassy or Consulate for the issuance of an 
Applicant takes his/her oath.  IC under RA 9225. 
   
5) Applicant is given the original copy of his  ● WHAT IS THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE? 
notarized oath of allegiance together with an   
Order of Approval issued by the Philippine  The Oath of Allegiance is the final act that 
Consulate General.  confers Philippine citizenship. It reads as 
  follows: 
6) The Philippine Consulate General forwards   
to the Bureau of Immigration in Manila the  "I,________________, solemnly swear that I will 
petition, oath, order of approval, and other  support and defend the Constitution of the 
supporting documents for issuance of an  Republic of the Philippines and obey the laws 
Identification Certificate.  and local orders promulgated by the duly 
  constituted authorities of the Philippines, and 
7) The Bureau of Immigration issues an  I hereby declare that I recognize and accept 
Identification Certificate (IC) and forwards it  the supreme authority of the Philippines and 
to the applicant through the Philippine  will maintain true faith and allegiance thereto, 
Consulate General.  and that I impose this obligation upon myself 
  voluntarily without mental reservation or 
● WHERE DO I APPLY FOR RE-ACQUISITION  purpose of evasion." 
OF PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP IF I AM IN THE   
PHILIPPINES?  ● IS THE CONFERMENT OF PHILIPPINE 
  CITIZENSHIP UNDER THIS ACT SUBJECT TO 
A former natural-born Filipino citizen who is  ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW? 
already in the Philippines and registered in   
the Bureau of Immigration shall file a petition  The conferment of Philippine citizenship 
under oath to the Commissioner of  under this Act shall no longer be subject to 
Immigration for the cancellation of the Alien  the affirmation by the Secretary of Justice. 
Certificate of Registration (ACR) and issuance  However, Philippine citizenship may be 
of an Identification Certificate (IC) as the  revoked by competent authority upon a 
case may be, under RA 9225.  substantive finding of fraud, 
 misrepresentation or concealment on the part  existing laws of the Philippines and the 
of the applicant.  following conditions: 
   
● CAN MY FOREIGN SPOUSE ALSO BECOME A  Those intending to exercise their right of 
FILIPINO CITIZEN UNDER RA 9225?  suffrage must meet the requirements under 
  Section 1, Article V of the Constitution, 
No, the law does not apply to the foreign  Republic Act No. 9189, otherwise known as 
spouse. He/she has the following option if  “The Overseas Absentee Voting Act 0f 2003” 
he/she wishes to reside permanently in the  and other existing laws. 
Philippines: (a) apply for naturalization; (b)   
apply for a permanent resident visa. But in  Under the Act, the right to vote or be elected 
case of a foreign woman married to a Filipino,  or appointed to any public office in the 
she has to apply for the cancellation of her  Philippines cannot be exercised by, or 
Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR).  extended to, those who are candidates for or 
  are occupying any public office in the country 
● CAN MY CHILDREN ALSO ACQUIRE  of which they are naturalized citizens and/or 
PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP UNDER RA 9225?  those who are in active service as 
  commissioned or non-commissioned officers 
According to Section 4 of RA 9225 (Derivative  in the armed forces of the country which they 
Citizenship), the unmarried child, whether  are naturalized citizens. 
legitimate, illegitimate or adopted, below   
eighteen (18) years of age, of those who  Those seeking elective public office in the 
re-acquire Philippine citizenship under this  Philippines shall meet the qualifications for 
Act may also acquire Philippine citizenship  holding such public office as required by the 
provided they are included in the original  Constitution and existing laws and, at the 
petition of their parents.  time of filing of the certificate of candidacy, 
  make a personal and sworn renunciation of 
A married child, although a minor, cannot  any and all foreign citizenship before any 
therefore be included in the petition of his/her  public officer authorized to administer an 
parent.  oath. 
   
Children 18 years old and over do not qualify  Those appointed to any public office shall 
to acquire Philippine citizenship under RA  subscribe and swear to an oath of allegiance 
9225. They have the same options that are  to the Republic of the Philippines and its duly 
open to the foreign spouse.  constituted authorities prior to their 
  assumption of office: Provided, they renounce 
● AFTER I HAVE RE-ACQUIRED PHILIPPINE  their oath of allegiance to the country where 
CITIZENSHIP, CAN I APPLY FOR A  they took that oath; 
PHILIPPINE PASSPORT?   
  ● HAVING REACQUIRED PHILIPPINE 
Yes, and so can the minor children who are  CITIZENSHIP, CAN I NOW ACQUIRE LAND 
deemed to have acquired Philippine  AND OTHER PROPERTIES OR ENGAGE IN 
citizenship under RA 9225. You would need to  BUSINESS? 
comply with the requirements for first-time   
passport applicants.  As provided for under the 1987 Philippine 
  Constitution, a Filipino citizen is entitled to 
● WHAT RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES WILL  purchase land and other properties and 
PHILIPPINE CITIZENS UNDER RA 9225  engage in business. This right would now 
ENJOY?  apply to former natural-born Filipinos who 
  have re-acquired Philippine citizenship under 
Those who retain or reacquire their Philippine  RA 9225. 
Citizenship under RA 9225 shall enjoy full civil   
and political rights and be subject to all  ● CAN I NOW RESIDE IN THE PHILIPPINES? 
attendant liabilities and responsibilities under   
 Having reacquired your Philippine citizenship,  for a license or permit to engage in such 
you can reside in the Philippines for as long  practice. 
as you want without having to apply for entry   
visa and paying immigration fees. You can   
even choose to retire or permanently settle in  1935 Constitution
the Philippines. As a Filipino citizen, you are  ARTICLE IV.—CITIZENSHIP 
subject to duties and other obligations 
imposed on other ordinary Filipinos, such as   
paying the necessary community tax 
residence and other tax liabilities in  SECTION  1.  The  following  are  citizens  of  the 
accordance with the tax laws of the 
Philippines: 
Philippines. 
  (1)  Those  who  are  citizens  of  the  Philippine 
● ONCE I RE-ACQUIRE PHILIPPINE 
CITIZENSHIP WILL I BE REQUIRED TO  Islands  at  the  time  of  the  adoption  of  this 
RENOUNCE MY OTHER CITIZENSHIP? 
  Constitution. 
No, the Act does not require one to renounce 
his or her other citizenship.   (2)  Those  born  in  the  Philippine  Islands  of 
 
● WILL I NOW BE REQUIRED TO PAY INCOME  foreign  parents  who,  before  the  adoption  of 
TAX AND OTHER TAXES? AM I EXEMPT 
FROM PAYING THE TRAVEL TAX?  this  Constitution,  had  been  elected  to  public 
 
office in the Philippine Islands. 
In accordance with existing laws, income 
earned in the Philippines is subject to the  (3)  Those  whose  fathers  are  citizens  of  the 
payment of tax. Filipinos who re-acquire 
citizenship and opt to reside and work in the  Philippines. 
Philippines will pay the income tax due at the 
end of each fiscal year. They are also subject  (4)  Those  whose  mothers  are  citizens  of  the 
to other obligations and liabilities, such as the 
community tax and residence tax.  Philippines  and,  upon  reaching  the  age  of 
 
Countries routinely forge bilateral agreements  majority, elect Philippine citizenship. 
in order that their respective citizens who 
(5)  Those  who  are  naturalized  in  accordance 
earn income overseas do not pay income tax 
twice.  with law. 
 
On the other hand, Filipinos who have   
re-acquired Philippine citizenship, but residing 
permanently overseas, also enjoy tax  SEC.  2.  Philippine  citizenship  may  be  lost  or 
exemptions extended to Filipino citizens 
permanently residing in other countries, the  re-acquired in the manner provided by law. 
OFWs and their dependents. 
 
● HAVING RE-ACQUIRED PHILIPPINE 
CITIZENSHIP UNDER THIS ACT, AM I 
ALLOWED TO PRACTICE MY PROFESSION IN 
THE PHILIPPINES? 
 
Under the law, those intending to practice 
their profession in the Philippines shall apply 
with the Professional Regulation Commission 
(PRC) (or Supreme Court in case of Lawyers) 
1987 Constitution unless by their act or omission they are 

ARTICLE IV  deemed, under the law, to have renounced it. 

Citizenship   

SECTION 1. The following are citizens of the  SECTION 5. Dual allegiance of citizens is 

Philippines:  inimical to the national interest and shall be 

(1) Those who are citizens of the Philippines at  dealt with by law. 

the time of 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. 

SECTION 2. Natural-born citizens are those 

who are citizens of the Philippines from birth 

without having to perform any act to acquire or 

perfect their Philippine citizenship. Those who 

elect Philippine citizenship in accordance with 

paragraph (3), Section 1 hereof shall be 

deemed natural-born citizens. 

SECTION 3. Philippine citizenship may be lost 

or reacquired in the manner provided by law. 

SECTION 4. Citizens of the Philippines who 

marry aliens shall retain their citizenship,