NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Third Regular Session 
)
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24 AUG-7 P6 :46
S. NO
SENATE
2776
Introduced by Senator Francis “Tol” N. Tolentino
AN ACT
GRANTING PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP TO STEPHEN DECATUR HAINES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In 1942, Fr. Stephen Decatur Haines was born in Philadelphia, USA. He later on earned his 
Master of Arts from the University of Freiburg, Germany in 1963 taking up Politics, 
Philosophy, and English Literature. In 1968, he obtained his Master of Theology degree 
from the University of Cambridge in England. He was later on ordained to the Anglican 
priesthood in 1971, serving a full-time priest for 7 years thereafter.
After receiving a permit to work in the secular world of banking, Fr. Haines worked for 
various financial institutions while still serving as a priest. He has worked for Chase 
Manhattan Bank, specializing in mergers, acquisitions, and securitizations in the insurance 
industry. He also served as a councilman in the City of London Corporation for 17 years, 
being able to Chair the Establishment Committee with 4000 personnel as well as the City 
London School for boys owned by the Council.
Fr. Haines’ father was a US Lieutenant in the US Army and was part of the US contingent 
that liberated the Philippines during the Second World War. It was through his father’s fond 
memories that influenced his good impression of the country. He had regularly been in the 
Philippines since 2007, and has integrated into his community in Barangay Namnama 
Koronadal City.
In 2010, Fr. Haines joined the Roman Catholic Church and was ordained in 2013 by the 
Archdiocese of Southwark, London. For 10 years, he has served as a priest at St. George’s 
Cathedral. It was then that he started to engage in occasional ministerial visits and later on 
worked under the Catholic Diocese of Marbel in South Cotabato. He has mentored the 
seminarians and is a benefactor to one of them. He held mass at the Christ the King 
Cathedral in Koronadal City and has helped the people in need in his community - by 
extending medical assistance and in construction of houses.


After having signified his intention to permanently live and work here in the Philippines, in 
the service of the church and the community, he was given full permission by the 
Archbishop of Southwark to embrace the Christian life.
The ministerial work of Fr. Haines in his community is a testament not only of his faith but 
also of his dedication to serve the Filipinos and the country.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of the bill is earnestly sought.
IS “TOL” N. TOLENTINO


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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Third Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. NO.
776
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24 AUG-7 P6:46
filiCEIVEO BY.
Introduced by Senator Francis “Tol” N. Tolentino
AN ACT
GRANTING PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP TO STEPHEN DECATUR HAINES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress Assembled:
SECTION 1. Grant of Philippine Citizenship to Stephen Decatur Haines. -
Stephen Decatur Haines is hereby granted Philippine citizenship with all the rights, 
privileges and prerogatives, as well as the duties and obligations appurtenant thereto 
under the Constitution and the laws of the Republic of the Philippines.
SEC. 2. Oath of Allegiance. - Stephen Decatur Haines shall take the Oath of 
Allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines before an officer duly authorized for this 
purpose. The Oath of Allegiance shall be registered with the Bureau of Immigration.
SEC. 3. Certificate of Naturalization and Enjoyment of Philippine Citizenship.
- Upon registration of the Oath of Allegiance, the Bureau of Immigration shall forthwith 
issue a Certificate of Naturalization to Stephen Decatur Haines, who shall thereupon enter 
into the full enjoyment of Philippine citizenship.
SEC. 4. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,