HULSE REPRI

Republic of the Philippines RE!
HOUSE OF REERESENTA TIVE pare:. 24 AUG 2016
Quezon City, Metro Manila sail DFO
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS By isa
First Regular Session

REGISTR TION UNIT
House Bill No, 8266 | BULS avi” ackx seavice

Introduced by HON. LINABELLE RUTH R. VILLARICA
4" DISTRICT, BULACAN

EXPLANATORY NOTE.

Article IV, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution expressly provides under subparagraph
(4) that citizens of the Philippines are:

“Those who are naturalized in accordance with law”

This means that Congress can confer Philippine citizenship to distinguished foreigners who
rendered notable service to the country and to the Filipino people. I therefore respectfully
submit to this body this bill to grant Philippine citizenship to MR, MOHAMAD WASSIM
NANAA, a Syrian national, and currently the Honorary Philippine Consul General in Aleppo,
Syria,

During his first appointment on 24 April 2008 as Philippine Honorary Consul (PHC)
in Aleppo with jurisdiction in Idlib, Latakia, Ar-Raqqah and Tartus, Mr. Nanaa showed
exceptional service in promoting Philippine-Syrian bilateral economic and cultural relations,
tourism and in protecting the rights and interest of OF Ws in his jurisdiction. Hence, he was
promoted to Philippine Honorary Consul General (PHCG) on 24 April 2011. ‘This appointive
honorary position is without financial compensation.

‘As PHCG, Mr. Nanaa performs the following functions: 1) promotion of Philippine
trade, tourism, art and culture; 2.) protection of the rights of OFWs; and 3.) represents the
Philippines to the government of Syria on matters of itterest affecting our country upon
instruction from the Department of Foreign Affairs/Philippine Embassy. © > *

To promote Philippine trade and tourism, PHCG Nanaa hosted forums and receptions
to highlight the Philippines as an investment and tourist destination, notably the widely
attended 1“ Philippine Investment Forum in Aleppo in 2009, He led the 1° Syrian Tourism
Group to the Philippines on 13 to 21 November 2010, widely published in Syrian


newspapers, magazines and websites. He also hosted receptions to celebrate Independence
Days attended by Syrian government officials, consular corps and Filipinos.

PHCG Nanaa remarkably showed his respect, loyalty and love of the Philippines and
commitment to serve the Filipinos, He ably represented the Philippines in Syria and
promoted the welfare and protected the rights of OFWs within his jurisdiction, With his
extensive contacts with Syrian goverment officials like the Grand Mufti, mayors, chief of
police and immigration authorities, PHCG Nana successfully resolved assistance to Filipino
nationals cases such as: a.) collected unpaid salaries and/or enforcement of employment
contract; 6.) In coordination with Aleppo Immigration authorities, compelled
agency/employer to shoulder all or part of the expenses in the repatriation of OFWs; ¢.)
amicably settled conflict between OF W and employer.

At the onset of the political unrest and instability in Syria in January 2012, PHCG
Nanaa was immediately enlisted as member of the Rapid Response Team to assist in the
search, rescue and repatriation of OFWs. He even made available his private residence as a
sanctuary to hundreds of distressed Filipinos at no cost to the Philippine government, To
date, with “civil war” in Syria, he actively works with the Philippine Embassy in assisting
OFWs and is a member of the Philippine Government's Mandatory Repatriation Program in
Aleppo. The Philippine Embassy in Damascus and the DFA vouched for the commitment
and excellent performance of PHCG Nanaa, in assisting our OFWs in Syria.

During DPA Secretary Albert F, Del Rosario’s visit to Syria, to look into the plight of
the OFWs being repatriated, as reported by GMA News on 23 December 2012, spoke to
PHCG Nanaa and thanked him for his “selfless efforts in keeping all OFWs in Aleppo and
Idlib safe”. In addition, DFA Undersecretary for Administration Rafael Seguis, Former
Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Esteban Conejos, Philippine Ambassador to
Damascus Wilfredo R. Cuyugan and Charge d’ Affairs Ricardo M, Endaya, all commended
Mr. Nanaa for his outstanding performance as PHCG,

Mr. Nana is well educated and financially independent. He graduated with a degree
of Bachelor of Laws from Beirut Arab University in Lebanon in 2005, He is a successful
businessman in Syria doing import-export business, which he can duplicate in the
Philippines.

In view of the outstanding and meritorious services of PHCG Nanaa for the Philippine
government and its OFWs, may I reiterate my request to support the enactment of this
measure to confer Philippine citizenship to HONORARY CONSUL GENERAL
MOHAMAD WASSIM NANAA.

SARI Marie
REP. LINABELLE RUTH R. VILLARICA.


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

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 8266

Introduced by HON. LINABELLE RUTH R. VILLARICA
4™ DISTRICT, BULACAN

AN ACT
GRANTING PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP TO MOHAMAD WASSIM NANAA.

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

SECTION 1. Mohamad Wassim Nanaa is hereby granted Philippine citizenship with
all the rights, privileges, and duties appurtenant thereto and with the same effects and subject
to the same conditions as provided under the Constitution.
‘
SEC. 2. Upon taking of the oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines
before the Bureau of Immigration and the issuance to him of the Certificate of Naturalization,
Mohamad Wassim Nanaa shall enter upon the full enjoyment of Philippine citizenship.

SEC, 3. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least two
2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,