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

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. 6115

Introduced by Representative Ron P. Salo

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Paragraph 1 of Section 5 of Republic Act No. 9225, specifically provide that
“[t]hose who retain or re-acquire Philippine Citizenship (dual citizens) shall enjoy full
civil and political rights and be subject to all attendant liabilities and responsibilities
under existing laws of the Philippines.” Although granted full civil and political rights,
dual citizens, however, are prejudiced and disadvantaged in that they cannot seek
appointment in public office without renouncing their oath of allegiance to the country
where they took that oath. Many of them wish to seek appointment in UP and other
State Universities and Colleges, in order to teach or share their knowledge and
expertise.

Filipinos abound overseas, and through exposures in advances in education,
employment and working conditions, many of these Filipinos have acquired extensive
learning, education, skills, experience, and expertise in different fields and professions
that the Philippine Government could tap and harness for national development,
welfare and progress. Many of these highly educated and trained Filipino experts have
also retained or re-acquired their Philippine Citizenships or have become dual citizens
under the terms provided for in Republic Act No. 9225.

From experience, there are dual citizens who, because of patriotic impulses
and love for the country, are willing to leave their lucrative and comfortable lives abroad
and return to the Philippines in order to teach, do research work, or share their
knowledge and expertise in UP and other SUCs. These dual citizens, however, are
prevented from doing so because of what they believe to be burdensome or
impractical requirements imposed on them for appointment in public office, such as
that mentioned in Section 5, paragraph 3 of RA 9225 requiring them to renounce their
oath of allegiance to the country where they took that oath.

It is worthy to note that professors of foreign citizenship have a distinct
advantage in that they generally only need to, among others, secure an alien
employment permit and a working visa from the government in order to be allowed to
teach in universities locally, whether private or public. Yet, dual citizens, are required

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to renounce their oath of allegiance in order to be appointed to public office, including
those positions available in UP and the SUCs.

It should be understood that their inability to renounce their oath of allegiance
is oftentimes merely for practical purposes. They or their families abroad wish to
continue to enjoy or take advantage of educational, health, pension, unhampered
travel without visas, and other benefits that in fact they have earned.

In order to enable the country to benefit from the learning, education, skills,
experience, and expertise of dual citizens for national development, necessary
amendments to RA 9225 has to be made.

Thus, the immediate approval of this Bill is earnestly sought.

 SALO
KABAYAN Partylist

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

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Second Regular Session

House Bill No._6115

Introduced by Representative Ron P. Salo

AN ACT
AMENDING SECTION 5, PARAGRAPH 3 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9225
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “CITIZENSHIP RETENTION AND RE-
ACQUISITION ACT OF 2003”

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

SECTION 1. Amendment to Section 5, paragraph 3 of Republic Act No. 9225. —
Section 5, paragraph 3 of Republic Act No. 9225 otherwise known as the “Citizenship
Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003” is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Section 5. Civil and Political Rights and Liabilities - Those who retain or
re-acquire Philippine citizenship under this Act shall enjoy full civil and political
rights and be subject to all attendant liabilities and responsibilities under
existing laws of the Philippines and the following conditions:

1) Xxx

2) Xxx

3) Those appointed to any public office shall subscribe and swear to an
oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Phi ines and its duly
constituted authorities prior to their assumption of office: Provided, that
they renounce their oath of allegiance to the country where they took
that oath; PROVIDED FURTHER, THAT APPOINTEES TO THE
UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES AND OTHER STATE
UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO
MAKE SUCH RENUNCIATION AS A CONDITION FOR THEIR
APPOINTMENT;

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4) xxx

5) xx"

SEC. 2. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders and issuances,
proclamations, rules and regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof that are
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 3. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.

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