NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session
)
)
)
■n;, ri ' . ; • i ..
24 DEC-3 P 3 :17
SENATE
s.B. No. 2887
fii;-
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS
AN ACT
ENSURING GENDER-RESPONSIVENESS IN NATIONALITY LAWS, 
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE COMMONWEALTH ACT NO. 473, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE REVISED NATURALIZATION LAW, AND 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9139, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ADMINISTRATIVE 
NATURALIZATION LAW
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The 1987 Constitution enshrines the roie of women in nation-building and the 
responsibiiity of the State to ensure the fundamental equality of women and men 
before the law (Article II, Section 14).
Republic Act No. 9710, otherwise known as the Magna Carta of Women, and 
the UN Convention on the Eiimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women 
(UN CEDAW), of which the Phiiippines is a State Party, underscores the equal rights 
of men and women to acquire, change, or retain their nationality (Section 19; Article 
9, respectively). Further, both emphasize that neither marriage to an alien nor change 
of nationaiity by the husband during marriage shall automatically change the 
nationality of the wife, render her stateless, or force upon her the nationality of the 
husband (Section 19(g); Article 9).
Despite these frameworks, the Philippines has been identified as one of fifty 
(50) States that continue to have distinctions in terms of conferral and


acquisition/retainment of citizenship1. These are embodied in the country's 
naturalization laws which are governed by Commonwealth Act No. 473, otherwise 
known as the Revised Naturalization Law, and Republic Act 9139 No. or the 
Administrative Naturalization Law.
Article 15 of the Revised Naturalization Law denies a married woman the right 
to choose her nationality following the naturalization of her husband. Furthermore, 
Section 12 of the Administrative Naturalization Law prevents married women that have 
been granted Philippine citizenship through naturalization, from conferring her 
nationality to her husband. Not only do these provisions violate the principles and 
commitments of the Philippines under international2 and national laws, but it also 
inhibits inclusive sustainable development as citizenship serves as the gateway to 
access other rights and services3.
Hence, this bill seeks to (1) harmonize existing laws4, (2) amend the current 
Administrative and Judicial Naturalization Laws, especially, the automatic conferment 
of derivative naturalization in Section 15 of Commonwealth Act No. 473, and the 
differential effect of naturalization on non-national spouses as indicated in Sections 
11, 12, and 13 of Republic Act No. 9139, and (3) ensure safeguards to prevent 
statelessness in line with the Concluding Observations on the 9th Periodic Report of 
the Philippines to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women5, 
General Recommendation No. 32 of the UN Committee on the Elimination of 
Discrimination Against Women6 and the recently ratified 1961 Convention on the 
Reduction of Statelessness.
1 Reference: https://eaualnationalitvrights.org/the-issue/the-Droblem
2 The right to nationality is also enshrined in several international and regional human rights instruments. The list of which 
could be found in pages 26-28 of2020 Guidelines on Statelessness on Loss and Deprivation of Nationality under Articles 5- 
9 of the 1961 Convention.
3 Reference: https://eaualnationalitvrights.org/the-issue/the-problem
4 Harmonization of naturalization laws with the Republic Act 9710 and the UN CEDAW would also contribute to the 
fulfillment of the recommendation of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination of Women in its Concluding 
Observations on the Combined l'i> and 8th Reports of the Philippines.
5 Specifically, paragraphs 37 and 38 of the Concluding Observations on the 9th Periodic Report of the Philippines to the 
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.
6 Specifically, paragraph 63 (b, e, i) of the General Recommendation No. 32 of the Gender-related Dimensions of Refugee 
Status. Asylum, Nationality and Statelessness of Women.


This proposed measure is aiso in iine with efforts to remove gender 
discrimination in nationality laws under Action Point 3 of the National Action Plan to 
End Statelessness by 2024. It contributes to the fulfillment of the Philippines' pledges 
to enhance its "policy, legal, and operational framework" during the 2011 Ministerial 
Inter-Governmental Event on Refugees and Stateless Persons7 2019 and 2023 Global 
Refugee Forum and the 2019 High-Level Segment on Statelessness8.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
ISA HONTIVEROS
Senator
1 Information on the 2011 Ministerial Inter-Govemmental Event on Refugees and Stateless Persons as well as the pledges 
manifested by the Philippines can be accessed through: httDs://www.unhcr.org/4ff55a319.pdf
8 Pledges manifested by the Philippines during the 2019 High-Level Segment on Statelessness can be accessed through: 
https://www.unhcr.org/ibelong/results-of-the-high-level-segment-on-statelessness/


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Third Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 2887
24 DEC -3 P 3 •17
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS
AN ACT
ENSURING GENDER-RESPONSIVENESS IN NATIONALITY LAWS, 
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE COMMONWEALTH ACT NO. 473, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE REVISED NATURALIZATION LAW, AND 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9139, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ADMINISTRATIVE 
NATURALIZATION LAW
Be It enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Gender Equality and
2 
Gender Responsive Amendments to Nationality Laws Act"
3 
Sec. 2. Section 2 of Commonwealth Act No. 473 is hereby amended to read as
4 
follows:
5 
"Section 2. Qualifications. - Subject to Section 4 of this Act, any person
6 
having the following qualifications may become a citizen of the
7 
Philippines by naturalization:
8 
First. [He] THEY must be not less than EIGHTEEN YEARS [twenty-one
9 
years] of age on the day of the hearing of the petition;
10 
Second. [He] THEY must have resided in the Philippines for a continuous
11 
period of not less than ten years;
12 
Third. [He] THEY must be of good moral character and believes in the
13 
principles underlying the Philippine Constitution, and must have
14 
conducted [himself] THEMSELVES In a proper and irreproachable
15 
manner during the entire period of [his] THEIR residence in the


1 
Philippines in [his] THEIR relation with the constituted government as
2 
well as with the community in which [he is] THEY ARE living.
3 
Fourth. [He] THEY [must own real estate in the Philippines worth not
4 
less than five thousand pesos, Philippine currency, or must have some
5 
known lucrative trade, profession, or lawful occupation] MUST HAVE
6 
SOME KNOWN AND LAWFUL TRADE, BUSINESS, PROFESSION, OR
7 
LAWFUL OCCUPATION, FROM WHICH HE/SHE DERIVES SUFFICIENT
8 
INCOME TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES AND HIS/HER FAMILY;
9 
Fifth. [He] THEY must be able to [speak and write] COMMUNICATE IN
10 
[English or Spanish] FILIPINO, ANY LOCAL LANGUAGE AND DIALECT OF
11 
THE PHILIPPINES, [and any one of the principal Philippine languages]
12 
OR IN THE CASE OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, FILIPINO SIGN
13 
LANGUAGE; ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURES SHALL BE UNDERTAKEN TO
14 
ASSESS THE CONDITION AND ABILITY/IES OF PERSONS WITH
15 
DISABILITIES PURSUANT TO REPUBLIC ACT 11106, and
16 
Sixth. [He] THEY must have enrolled [his] THEIR minor children of
17 
school age, in any of the public schools or private schools recognized by
18 
the PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT [Office of Private Education], where
19 
Philippine history, government and civics are taught or prescribed as part
20 
of the school curriculum, during the entire period of the residence in the
21 
Philippines required of [him] THEM prior to the hearing of [his] THEIR
22 
petition for naturalization as a Philippine citizen."
23 
Section 3. Section 3 of Commonwealth Act No. 473 is hereby amended to read
24 
as follows:
25 
"Section 3. Special qualifications. The ten years of continuous residence
26 
required under the second condition of the last preceding section shall
27 
be [understood as] reduced to five years for any petitioner having any
28 
of the following qualifications:
29 
[1. Having honorably held office under the Government of the Philippines
30 
or under that of any of the provinces, cities, municipalities, or political
31 
subdivisions thereof;]


1 
[2] 1. [Having] [eJEstablished a new industry or introduced a useful
2 
invention in the Philippines;
3 
[3] 2. [Being] [m]Married to a Filipino cmZEN [woman];
4 
[4] 3. [Having been] [e]Engaged as a teacher in the Philippines in a
5 
public or recognized private school not established for the exclusive
6 
instruction of children of persons of a particular nationality or race, in
7 
any of the branches of education or industry for a period of not less than
8 
two years;
9 
XXX
10 
[5] 4. [Having been] [b]Born in the Philippines; OR
11 
5. HAVING ENGAGED IN CONSISTENT CHARITABLE, SOCIO-CIVIC OR
12 
PHILANTHROPIC WORK IN THE PHILIPPINES DURING THE ENTIRE
13 
PERIOD OF RESIDENCE REQUIRED AND RECOGNIZED BY THE LOCAL
14 
COMMUNITY BENEFITTED BY SUCH ACTIVITY.
15 
Sec. 4. Paragraphs e, g, and h of Section 4 of Commonwealth Act No. 473 is
16 
hereby amended to read as follows:
17 
"Section 4. Who are disqualified. - The following cannot be naturalized
18 
as Philippine citizens:
19 
XXX
20 
e. Persons suffering from A mental [alienation or incurable contagious
21 
diseases;] HEALTH CONDITION WITH ACTIVE SYMPTOMS RESULTING
22 
IN TEMPORARY IMPAIRMENT AND DIMINISHED DECISION-MAKING
23 
CAPACITY, OR DURING A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY OF
24 
INTERNATIONAL CONCERN AT THE TIME OF THE PETITION;
25 
[g. Citizens or subjects of nations with whom [the United States and]
26 
the Philippines IS [are] at war, during the period of such war;]
27 
h. Citizens or subjects of a foreign country [other than the United States]
28 
whose laws do not grant Filipinos the right to become naturalized citizens
29 
or subjects thereof."
30 
Sec. 5. Section 5 of Commonwealth Act No. 473 is hereby amended to read as
31 
follows:


1 
"Section 5. Declaration of intention. - One year prior to the filing of [his]
2 
THEIR petition for admission to Philippine citizenship, the applicant for
3 
[Philippine citizenship] shaii file with the OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR
4 
GENERAL [Bureau of Justice] a deciaration under oath that it is bona
5 
fide [his] THEIR intention to become a citizen of the Phiiippines. Such
6 
deciaration shaii set forth THE name, age, occupation, personal
7 
description, piace of birth, last foreign residence and allegiance, the date
8 
of arrival, the name of the vessel or aircraft, if any, in which [he] THEY
9 
came to the Philippines, and the piace of residence in the Phiiippines at
10 
the time of making the declaration. No declaration shaii be valid until
11 
lawful entry for permanent residence has been estabiished and a
12 
certificate showing the date, place, and manner of [his] THEIR arrivai
13 
has been issued. The deciarant must also state that [he has] THEY HAVE
14 
enrolled [his] THEIR minor children, if any, in any of the pubiic schools
15 
or private schools recognized by the PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT [Office
16 
of Private Education], where Philippine history, government, and civics
17 
are taught or prescribed as part of the school curriculum, during the
18 
entire period of [the] THEIR residence in the Phiiippines required of
19 
[him] THEM prior to the hearing of [his] THEIR petition for naturalization
20 
as A Philippine citizen. Each declarant must furnish two photographs of
21 
[himself] THEMSELVES."
22 
Sec. 6. Section 6 of Commonwealth Act No. 473 is hereby amended to read as
23 
foliows:
24 
"Section 6. Persons exempt from requirement to make a deciaration of
25 
intention. -
26 
XXX
27 
To such requirements shall be added that which estabiishes that the
28 
appiicant has given primary and secondary education to all [his] THEIR
29 
chiidren in the pubiic schools or in private schools recognized by the
30 
PHILIPPINE Government and not limited to any race or nationality. The
31 
same shall be understood applicable with respect to the [widow]
32 
SPOUSE and minor children of an alien who has declared [his] THEIR


1 
intention to become a citizen of the Philippines, and dies before [he is]
2 
THEY ARE actualiy naturalized."
3 
Section 7. Section 7 of Commonwealth Act No. 473 is hereby amended to read
4 
as foliows:
5 
"Section 7. Petition for citizenship. - Any person desiring to acquire
6 
Phiiippine citizenship shail fiie with the competent court, a petition in
7 
triplicate, accompanied by two photographs of the petitioner, setting
8 
forth [his] THEIR name and surname; [his] THEIR present and former
9 
piaces of residence; [his] THEIR occupation; the place and date of [his]
10 
THEIR birth; whether singie or married and the [father] PARENT of
11 
children, the name, age, birthplace and residence of the [wife] SPOUSE
12 
and of each of the children; the approximate date of [his] THEIR arrival
13 
in the Philippines, the name of the port of debarkation, and, if [he] THEY
14 
remember it, the name of the ship on which [he] THEY came; a
15 
declaration that [he has] THEY HAVE the quaiifications required by this
16 
Act, specifying the same, and that [he is] THEY ARE not disquaiified for
17 
naturalization under the provisions of this Act; that [he has] THEY HAVE
18 
complied with the requirements of S[s]ection F[f]ive of this Act; and that
19 
[he] THEY wili reside continuously in the Philippines from the date of the
20 
fiiing of the petition up to the time of [his] THEIR admission to Phiiippine
21 
citizenship. The petition must be signed by the applicant in [his] THEIR
22 
own handwriting and be supported by the affidavit of at least two
23 
credible persons, stating that they are citizens of the Philippines and
24 
personaliy know the petitioner to be a resident of the Phiiippines for the
25 
period of time required by this Act, and a person of good repute and
26 
moraily irreproachable, and that said petitioner has in their opinion ail
27 
the qualifications necessary to become a citizen of the Philippines and is
28 
not in any way disqualified under the provisions of this Act. The petition
29 
shali set forth the names and home addresses of such witnesses as the
30 
petitioner may desire to introduce at the hearing of the case. The
31 
certificate of arrival, and the declaration of intention must be made part
32 
of the petition."


1 
XXX
2 
Section 8. Section 9 of Commonwealth Act No. 473 is hereby amended to read
3 
as follows:
4 
"Section 9. Notification and appearance. — Immediately upon the filing
5 
of a petition, it shall be the duty of the clerk of the court to publish the
6 
same at petitioner's expense, once a week for three consecutive weeks,
7 
in the Official Gazette, and in one of the newspapers of general
8 
circulation in the province where the petitioner resides[,]. [and to] THE
9 
CLERK OF COURT SHALL ALSO have copies of said petition and a general
10 
notice of the hearing posted in a public and conspicuous place in [his]
11 
THEIR office or in the building where said office is located, setting forth
12 
in such notice the name, birthplace and residence of the petitioner, the
13 
date and place of [his] THEIR arrival In the Philippines, the names of the
14 
witnesses whom the petitioner proposes to introduce in support of [his]
15 
THEIR petition, and the date of the hearing of the petition, which hearing
16 
shall not be held within ninety days from the date of the last publication
17 
of the notice. The clerk shall, as soon as possible, forward copies of the
18 
petition, the sentence, the naturalization certificate, and other pertinent
19 
data to the Department of the Interior AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT, the
20 
[Bureau] DEPARTMENT of Justice, the provincial inspector of the
21 
[Philippine Constabulary] PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE of the
22 
province, and the justice of the peace of the municipality OR CITY
23 
wherein the petitioner resides.
24 
XXX
25 
Sec. 9. Section 10 of Commonwealth Act No. 473 Is hereby amended to read
26 
as follows:
27 
"Section 10. Hearing of the petition. —No petition shall be heard within
28 
the thirty days preceding any election. The hearing shall be public, and
29 
the Solicitor-General, either himself or through his delegate or the
30 
provincial fiscal concerned, shall appear on behalf of the
31 
[Commonwealth] REPUBLIC of the Philippines at all the proceedings and
32 
at the hearing. If, after the hearing, the court believes, in view of the


1 
evidence taken, that the petitioner has ali the qualifications required by,
2 
and none of the disqualifications specified in this Act and has complied
3 
with all requisites herein established, it shall GRANT THE PETITION AND
4 
order the ISSUANCE AND REGISTRATION OF THE NATURALIZATION
5 
CERTIFICATE IN THE PROPER CIVIL REGISTRY, [proper naturalization
6 
certificate to be issued and the registration of the said naturalization
7 
certificate in the proper civil registry as required in section ten of Act
8 
Numbered Three thousand seven hundred and fifty-three.]"
9 
Sec. 10. Section 12 of Commonwealth Act No. 473 is hereby amended to read
10 
as follows:
11 
"Section 12. Issuance of the Certificate of Naturalization.—x x x The file
12 
number of the petition, the number of the naturalization certificate, the
13 
signature of the person naturalized affixed in the presence of the clerk
14 
of the court, the personal circumstances of the person naturalized, the
15 
dates on which [his] THEIR declaration of intention and petition were
16 
filed, the date of the decision granting the petition, and the name of the
17 
judge who rendered the decision. A photograph of the petitioner with
18 
the dry seal affixed thereto of the court which granted the petition, must
19 
be affixed thereto of the court which granted the petition, must be
20 
affixed to the certificate.
21 
XXX
22 
Sec. 11. Paragraph 1 of Section 15 of Commonwealth Act No. 473 is hereby
23 
amended to read as follows:
24 
"Section 15. Effect of the naturalization on THE ALIEN SPOUSE [wife and
25 
children.]—Any [woman] PERSON who is now or may hereafter be
26 
married to a citizen of the Philippines, [and who might herself be lawfully
27 
naturalized] may be deemed a citizen of the Philippines PROVIDED THAT
28 
[he] THEY CONSENT TO THE EFFECT OF A DERIVATIVE CITIZENSHIP;
29 
and possesses the qualifications and none of the disqualifications set
30 
forth by law. PROVIDED FURTHER, THAT IF THE SPOUSE IS
31 
STATELESS, CONFERRAL OF DERIVATIVE CITIZENSHIP BY THE OTHER
32 
SPOUSE THROUGH NATURALIZATION SHALL BE DEEMED AUTOMATIC.


1 
PROVIDED FURTHERMORE, THAT IN CASE OF TERMINATION OF SUCH
2 
MARRIAGE BASED ON ANY GROUND, THE DERIVED CITIZENSHIP
3 
SHALL BE RETAINED BY THE OTHER SPOUSE IF IT WILL OTHERWISE
4 
RESULT TO STATELESSNESS.
5 
Section 12. Paragraphs 2 to 4 of Section 15 of Commonwealth Act No. 473 is
6 
hereby amended to read as follows:
7 
"SECTION 15. EFFECT OF NATURALIZATION ON CHILDREN. - Minor
8 
children of persons naturalized under this law who have been born in
9 
the Philippines shall be considered citizens thereof.
10 
A foreign-born minor child, if dwelling in the Philippines at the time of
11 
the naturalization of the parent, shall automatically become a Philippine
12 
citizen, and a foreign-born minor child, who is not in the Philippines at
13 
the time the parent is naturalized, shall be deemed a Philippine citizen
14 
only during [his] THEIR minority, unless [he] THEY begin[s] to reside
15 
permanently in the Philippines when still a minor, in which case, [he]
16 
THEY will continue to be a Philippine citizen even after becoming of age.
17 
PROVIDED THAT IF A FOREIGN-BORN CHILD FAILS TO PERMANENTLY
18 
RESIDE IN THE PHILIPPINES AT THE TIME [his] THEIR PARENT IS
19 
NATURALIZED, [his] THEIR DERIVED PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP SHALL
20 
BE DEEMED RETAINED WHILE THE CHILD IS A MINOR IF REVOCATION
21 
OF PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP WILL RESULT TO STATELESSNESS.
22 
A child born outside of the Philippines after the naturalization of [his]
23 
THEIR parent, shall be considered a Philippine citizen, unless within
24 
[one] SEVEN (7) yearS after reaching the age of majority, he fails to
25 
register himself as a Philippine citizen at the Philippine Embassy of the
26 
country where he resides, and to take the necessary oath of allegiance.
27 
PROVIDED, THAT FAILURE TO REGISTER WILL NOT OPERATE TO
28 
ALLOW LOSS OF PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP IF IT WILL OTHERWISE
29 
RENDER THE INDIVIDUAL STATELESS.
30 
Sec. 13. Section 16 of Commonwealth Act No. 473 is hereby amended to read
31 
as follows:


as
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as
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"Section 16. Right of [widow] SURVIVING SPOUSE and children of 
petitioner[s] who [have] HAS died. - In case a petitioner should die 
before the final decision has been rendered, [his] THEIR [widow] 
SURVIVING SPOUSE and children may continue the proceedings. The 
decision rendered in the case shall, so far as the [widow] SURVIVING 
SPOUSE and minor children are concerned, produce the same legal 
effect as if it had been rendered during the life of the petitioner."
Sec. 14. Section 17 of Commonwealth Act No. 473 is hereby amended to read 
follows:
"Section 17. Renunciation of Title or Orders of Nobility. - In case the 
alien applying to be admitted to citizenship has borne any hereditary 
title, or has been of any of the orders of nobility in the Kingdom or state 
from which [he] THEY came, [he] THEY shall, in addition to the above 
requisites, make an express renunciation of [his] THEIR title or order of 
nobility in the court to which [his] THEIR application is made, and [his]
THEIR renunciation shall be recorded in the court, uniess with the 
express consent of the PHILIPPINE CONGRESS [National Assembly]."
Sec. 15. Section 18 of Commonwealth Act No. 473 is hereby amended to read 
follows:
"Section 18. Cancellation of Naturalization Certificate Issued. - Upon 
motion made in the proper proceedings by the Solicitor-General or [his]
THEIR representative, or by the proper provincial fiscal, the competent 
judge may cancel the naturalization certificate issued and its registration 
in the Civil Register:
(a) 
If it is shown that said naturalization certificate was obtained 
fraudulently or illegally;
(b) 
If the [person] naturalized PERSON OR [his] THEIR SPOUSE OR 
ANY OF [his] THEIR MINOR CHILDREN WHO ACQUIRE FILIPINO 
CITIZENSHIP BY VIRTUE OF [his] THEIR NATURALIZATION shall, within 
[the five years] SEVEN (7) CONSECUTIVE YEARS following the [issuance 
of said naturalization certificate] GRANT OF PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP,
[return to his native country or to some foreign country] and establish


1 
[his] permanent residence IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY [there]: Provided,
2 
THAT THE LOSS OF CITIZENSHIP FOR THE NATURALIZED PERSON
3 
SHALL BE CONDITIONAL UPON THE POSSESSION OR ACQUISITION OF
4 
ANOTHER CITIZENSHIP. PROVIDED FURTHER T[T]hat the fact of the
5 
person naturalized remaining for more than one (1) year in [his] THEIR
6 
native country or the country of [his] THEIR former nationality, or two
7 
(2) years in any other foreign country, shall be considered as prima facie
8 
evidence of [his] THEIR intention of taking up [his] THEIR permanent
9 
residence in the same;
10 
XXX
11 
(d) If it is shown that the minor children of the person naturalized
12 
failed to graduate from a public or private high schools recognized by
13 
the PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT [Office of Private Education of the
14 
Philippines], where Philippine history, government and civics are taught
15 
as part of the school curriculum, through the fault of their parents either
16 
by neglecting to support them or by transferring them to another school
17 
or schools. A certified copy of the decree cancelling the naturalization
18 
certificate shall be forwarded by the clerk of the Court to the Department
19 
of the Interior AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT and the [Bureau]
20 
DEPARTMENT of Justice; and
21 
(e) If it is shown that the naturalized citizen has allowed [himself]
22 
THEMSELVES to be used as a dummy requiring Philippine citizenship as
23 
a requisite for the exercise, use or enjoyment of a right, franchise or
24 
privilege.
25 
Section 16. Paragraphs d, e, and f of Section 3 of Republic 9139 is hereby
26 
amended to read as follows:
27 
"Section 3. Qualifications. - Subject to the provisions of the succeeding
28 
section, any person desiring to avail of the benefits of this Act must meet
29 
the following qualifications:
30 
XXX
31 
d. The applicant must have received [his/her] THEIR primary and
32 
secondary education in any public school or private educational
10


1 
institution duly recognized by the [Department of Education, Culture and
2 
Sports,] PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT where Phiiippine history,
3 
government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school
4 
curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality:
5 
Provided, That should [he/she] THEIR have minor children of school age,
6 
[he/she] THEY must have enrolled them in similar schools;
7 
e. The applicant must have a known trade, business, profession, or
8 
lawful occupation, from which [he/she] THEY derive income sufficient
9 
[for his/her] TO support [and if he/she is married and/or has
10 
dependents, also that of] THEMSELVES AND [his/her] THEIR family:
11 
Provided, however. That this shali not appiy to appiicants who are
12 
coilege degree holders but are unable to practice their profession
13 
because they are disquaiified to do so by reason of their citizenship;
14 
f. The appiicant must be abie to [read, write and speak] COMMUNICATE
15 
IN Fiiipino or any of the dialects of the Philippines; OR IN THE CASE OF
16 
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, FILIPINO SIGN LANGUAGE;
17 
ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURES SHALL BE UNDERTAKEN TO ASSESS THE
18 
CONDITION AND ABILITY/IES OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
19 
PURSUANT TO REPUBLIC ACT 11106, and
20 
XXX
21 
Sec. 17. Paragraph e of Section 4 of Republic 9139 is hereby amended to read
22 
as foiiows:
23 
"Section 4. Who are disqualified. - The following cannot be naturalized
24 
as Philippine citizens:
25 
XXX
26 
e. Persons suffering from mental [alienation or incurable contagious
27 
diseases;] ILLNESS WITH ACTIVE SYMPTOMS RESULTING IN
28 
TEMPORARY IMPAIRMENT AND DIMINISHED DECISION-MAKING
29 
CAPACITY, OR DURING A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY OF
30 
INTERNATIONAL CONCERN AT THE TIME OF THE PETITION;
31 
Section 18. Section 11 of Republic Act 9139 is hereby amended to read
32 
as follows:
11


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Section 11. Status of [Alien Wife] SPOUSE and Minor Chiidren. - After 
the approval of the petition for administrative naturalization in 
cancellation of applicant's [aJAlien [cjCertificate of [r]Registration, 
applicant's alien [lawful wife] SPOUSE and minor children may file a 
petition for cancellation of their [a]Alien [c]Certificates of [r]Registration 
with the Committee subject to the payment of the filing fee of Twenty 
thousand pesos (P20,000.00) and naturalization fee of Forty thousand 
pesos (P40,000.00) payable as follows: [T]twenty thousand pesos 
(P20,000.00) upon the approval of the petition and [T]twenty thousand 
pesos (P20,000.00) upon the taking of the oath of aliegiance to the 
Repubiic of the Philippines.
Sec. 19. Section 12 of Repubiic Act 9139 is hereby deleted.
[Section 12. Status of Aiien Husband and Minor Chiidren. - If the 
applicant is a married woman, the approval of her petition for 
administrative naturalization will not benefit her alien husband but her 
minor children may file a petition for canceliation of their alien 
certificates of registration with the BI subject to the requirements of 
existing laws.]
Sec. 20. Section 13 of Republic Act 9139 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
"Section 12. Cancellation of the Certificate of Naturalization. - The 
Special Committee may cancel certificates of naturalization issued under 
this Act in the following cases:
(a) 
XXX
(b) 
If the naturalized person or [his] THEIR SPOUSE [wife], or any of 
[his] THEIR minor children who acquire Filipino citizenship by virtue of 
[his] THEIR naturalization shall, within SEVEN (7) CONSECUTIVE YEARS 
[five (5) years next] following the grant of Philippine citizenship, 
establish permanent residence in a foreign country, that individual's 
certificate of naturalization or acquired citizenship shall be cancelled or 
revoked: Provided, THAT THE LOSS OF CITIZENSHIP FOR THE 
NATURALIZED PERSON OR [his] THEIR SPOUSE OR ANY OF [HIS]
THEIR MINOR CHILDREN SHALL BE CONDITIONAL UPON THE
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1 
POSSESSION OR ACQUISITION OF ANOTHER CITIZENSHIP. PROVIDED
2 
FURTHER That the fact of such person's remaining for more than one
3 
(1) year in [his] THEIR country of origin, or two (2) years in any foreign
4 
country, shali be considered prima facie evidence of intent to
5 
permanently reside therein;
6 
(c) If the naturalized person OR [his] THEIR SPOUSE [wife, or child]
7 
with acquired citizenship allow[s] [himself or herself] THEMSELVES to
8 
be used as a dummy in violation of any constitutional or legal provision
9 
requiring Philippine citizenship as a condition for the exercise, use or
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enjoyment of a right, franchise or privilege, the certificate of
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naturalization or acquired citizenship shall be cancelled or revoked; and
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(d) If the naturalized person OR [his] THEIR SPOUSE [wife], [or child]
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with acquired citizenship commits any act inimical to national security,
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the certificate of naturalization or acquired citizenship shall be cancelled
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or revoked.
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XXX
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Sec. 21. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is found
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unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected by such declaration shall
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remain in full force and effect.
20 
Sec. 22. Repealing Clause - All laws, decrees, executive orders, presidential
21 
issuances, and other administrative rules and regulations or parts thereof which are
22 
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 23. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,
13