SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )

18 NPR-4 P319
Second Regular Session )

SENATE
S. B. No. 17°78

Introduced by Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III

AN ACT
GRANTING PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP TO
HANS GUENTER SCHOOF

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to grant Philippine citizenship to Mr. Hans Guenter
Schoof, a 69-year old German citizen and businessman.

Hans was born on July 31, 1947 in Wiesbaden, Germany. In 1986,
he came to the Philippines and married a Filipina; he later legally
adopted his wife’s two Filipino children. He was granted a Special
Retiree’s Visa in 1991 that he holds until today.

Mr. Schoof founded in 1987 the Old Heidelberg Restaurant, which

he operated until November 1995 at Soldado Street in Ermita and at

* Nakpil Street corner Bocobo Street in Malate. At its peak, the restaurant

was a popular destination and melting pot of Filipinos and foreign

nationals alike. Hans, a lover of the history of our national hero, Jose

Rizal, used the place as a platform to recreate the experience of Rizal’s
stay in Heidelberg, Germany.

In 1987, Hans was invited to join The Order of the Knights of
Rizal. He was knighted by then Associate Supreme Court Justice
Conrado Vasquez. His deep interest and fondness for Rizal, as well as
his exquisite work with the Order, consecutively catapulted him to the
ranks of Exchequer, Supreme Councilor, and finally, Deputy Supreme
Commander — the highest post held by a foreigner in the organization.
As part of the Supreme Council of the Order, he was instrumental in the

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formation of international chapters, all the while being based in the
Philippines. For his contributions to Rizal’s memory, rare pieces of
Rizal memorabilia and Philippine history have been donated to him. In
the early part of the 1990s, Hans financed the renovation of the Rizal
Park in Manila City. He also co-published the only German translation
to Rizal’s novel, El Filibusterismo, and financed the erection of Rizal
statues in Peru and in the provincial capital of Bohol.

In 1995, Hans and his family established a home in Upper Laya,
Baclayon, Bohol, where he continues to reside to this day after having
established the Peacock Garden Resort. This leisure park has been
recognized by the popular online review site TripAdvisor as the Top 4
hotel in the Philippines in 2016 and 2017 and has been a Traveller’s
Choice Award winner since 2012. Of the hundreds of staff employed in
Peacock, all but one are Filipinos, reinforcing Hans’ pride in Filipino
service and his commitment to providing adequate employment in
Bohol. The establishment is currently the largest private employer in
Baclayon.

Aside from this, Hans has also contributed extensively to the
community in Baclayon. As an active and well-known philanthropist
and patron of the arts and Rizal history, he was appointed consultant for
tourism by then Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado from 2001 to 2010.

- He was likewise designated as head of Prime Movers, a multi-
stakeholder organization that devises strategies and solutions for Bohol’s
challenges. In all his endeavors, Hans has made sure that Bohol tourism
and the livelihood of its local residents flourish.

For his unwavering efforts, the Sangguniang Bayan of Baclayon
passed Resolution No. 2007-171, recognizing Hans as an adopted son of
Baclayon. The local government unit noted his philanthropic deeds and
his status as the highest taxpayer in the locale. In 2009, Hans was given
by the City of Tagbilaran the distinguished award of merit for his rare
achievement and contributions in the field of business and tourism, and
for breaking cultural barriers by embracing our country and people as his
very own. Later, in 2011, Hans was declared an adopted son of
Tagbilaran City.

Hans has donated generously to schools and educational programs,
health and medical services, and various local government units. This
includes financial contributions to the Bikes for the Philippines
Foundation (BPF), the only bicycle organization that operates

nationwide. BPF is currently one of the partners in the Department of
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Education’s Pedals and Paddles project, which provides bicycles to
needful children to facilitate their travel to and from school. Hans has
also given aid to the Bohol Local Development Foundation (BLDF), an

* organization founded by another Baclayon resident, Dr. Nestor Pestelos.
BLDF is committed to enhancing the social assets of Bohol through
education and livelihood programs.

Since his arrival in the Philippines in 1986, Hans has rarely left the
country as even then, he was already certain of his desire to remain here
for the rest of his life.

With more than three decades of living with and helping Filipinos,
Mr. Hans Guenter Schoof has more than proven his genuine and sincere
intention to stay for good in the Philippines and to continue serving its
interests and its people.

For these considerations, the passage of this bill is earnest sought.

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AQUILINO“KOKO” PIMENTEL III



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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) ees
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )

18 APR - 1
Second Regular Session ) ° 4 peas

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SENATE
S. B. No. 1778

Introduced by Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III

AN ACT
GRANTING PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP TO
HANS GUENTER SCHOOF

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

SECTION 1. Mr. Hans Guenter Schoof is hereby granted
Philippine citizenship with all the rights, privileges and prerogatives, as
well the duties and obligations appurtenant thereto under the
Constitution and the laws of the Republic of the Philippines.

SEC. 2. After the taking by Mr. Hans Guenter Schoof of his Oath
of Allegiance before an officer duly authorized for this purpose, and the
registration of the same with the Bureau of Immigration, Mr. Hans
Guenter Schoof shall enter upon the full enjoyment of his Philippine
citizenship.

SEC. 3. Upon registration of the Oath of Allegiance, the Bureau of
Immigration shall forthwith issue Mr. Hans Guenter Schoof’s Certificate

of Naturalization.

SEC. 4. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,