Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _18 os

Introduced by Representatives
GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO and DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO

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The passage of Republic Act No. 9225 or the Citizenship Retention and
Reacquisition Act of 2003 paved the way for Filipinos abroad to retain and re-
acquire their Filipino citizenship subject to certain conditions laid down by
the law.

Unfortunately, RA 9225 only grants the privilege of retention and
reacquisition of Filipino citizenship to former natural-born citizens who
subsequently acquired foreign citizenship.

Considering that no less than the Constitution itself limits the
distinction between natural-born and naturalized citizens only on the matter
of holding specific constitutional offices, the undersigned are of the view that
the law should not create any additional distinctions between natural-born
and naturalized Filipinos, especially when it comes to retention and
reacquisition of Filipino citizenship.

The undersigned consider it undue discrimination not to accord our
former naturalized compatriots the privilege that RA 9225 granted to former
natural-born Filipinos who also acquired foreign citizenship abroad.

Natural-born status is only acquired by chance due to the undetermined
circumstance of our own births. On the other hand, naturalized citizenship is
acquired by choice. There is no reason why we should deprive naturalized
Filipinos who chose to be such the chance to retain and/or reacquire their
Filipino citizenship the same way natural-born citizens do under RA 9225.

Most of our naturalized Filipinos derived their Philippine citizenship
when they were still minors upon their parents being granted Philippine


citizenship by judicial decree or other legal processes. Some of them have
gone abroad and acquired foreign citizenship just like many of our former
natural-born citizens. They have become successful in their respective careers
and many would like to come back and help develop the country where they
were once called Filipinos. The only constraint that remains now and the
obstacle hindering their interest of contributing to our country's political and
economic development is the discriminatory treatment accorded by Republic
Act No, 9225,

In view of the foregoing, we therefore urge our colleagues in this august
body to join us in having this measure passed into law.

GLORIA nycaoncas ARROYO DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO
2nd District; Pampanga 2n¢ District, Camarines Sur


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Sixteenth Congress
First Regular Session

1803

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representatives
GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO and DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT GRANTING FORMER NATURALIZED CITIZENS THE
PRIVILEGE GRANTED TO FORMER NATURAL-BORN CITIZENS BY
SECTION 3 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9225 OR THE CITIZENSHIP
RETENTION AND RE-ACQUISITION ACT OF 2003

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Philippines, in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. RETENTION OF PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP BY FORMER
NATURAL-BORN OR NATURALIZED CITIZENS - Section 3 of Republic Act No,
9225 is hereby amended to read as follows;

“Section 3. Retention of Philippine Citizenship - Any provision of
law to the contrary notwithstanding, natural-born or naturalized
Filipino citiz: hi a eir subs naturalization
as citizens of a foreign country, are hereby deemed to have re-
acquired Philippine citizenship upon taking the following 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 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 impose this obligation upon myself voluntarily
without mental reservation or purpose of evasion.



“Natural-born or naturalized citizens of the Philippines who, after
the effectivity of this Act, become citizens of a foreign country
shall retain their Philippine citizenship upon taking the aforesaid
oath.”

SEC. 2, SEPARABILITY CLAUSE - If any section or provision of this Act is
held unconstitutional or invalid, any other section or provision not affected
thereby shall remain valid and effective.

SEC. 3. REPEALING CLAUSE - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and
regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 3. EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE - This Act shall take effect after fifteen
(15) days following its publication in the Official Gazette or two (2)
newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,