Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Seventeenth Congress
Third Regular Session

House Bill No. 8192

Introduced by REP. MANUEL ANTONIO F. ZUBIRI

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The principles of jus soli and jus sanguinis have conservatively shaped the various
criteria for citizenship in most constitutions of any nation-state. However, the development of
technology has enabled man to travel all over the globe in search of various pursuits—some of
which are identity, the feeling of belongingness and home, and of connection. Thus, some keep
on going back, or keep on staying despite being a foreigner in a land far from where they were
bom. Indeed, many foreigners have come to our land and found connection with our people
thereby contributing immensely to the development of certain communities, or to the country at
large. It is through this selfless acts and adoption of our people and land that make them
Filipinos

This is the reasoning behind this bill aiming to grant Filipino citizenship to Kitson
Soriano Kho, thirty-three years of age, born 8 September 1984 and hailing from China. Though a
Chinese citizen owing to his place of birth, Mr. Kho is Filipino by blood—his grandfather is
Filipino, and they are based in Isabela. His father was even vested the Order of Lapu-Lapu by
President Duterte himself. Outside of his ancestry, one could argue that his life’s work has made
him Filipino. He has spent the last twelve years in the Philippines, arriving in 2006 and staying
here to fulfill his job as CEO of Am-Phil and UAA Kinming, companies that contribute greatly
to the Philippine economy, and create numerous job opportunities for Filipinos, with greater
prospects of job creation ahead once their reclamation project in Manila Bay commences. Aside
from his company's economic contributions, Mr. Kho has devoted himself to social causes as
well, particularly to the eradication of the country’s drug problem. Believing in the power of
rehabilitation and second chances, he donated 700 million pesos to help fund the Northem
Mindanao Wellness and Reintegration Center in Malaybalay, Bukidnon, a facility that is
envisioned to provide care for recovering patients from all social classes. This is an invaluable
contribution, and it only skims the charity work that Mr. Kho has involved himself in. Mr. Kho,
in helping to uplift the ljWes of countless Filipinos, has proven his love for this country and its
people, thus making hint worthy of the privilege to be granted Filipino citizenship.



HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Seventeenth Congress
Third Regular Session

House Bill No. _ 8192

Introduced by REP. MANUEL ANOTNIO F. ZUBIRI

AN ACT
GRANTING PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP TO KITSON SORIANO KHO

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

Section 1. Mr. Kitson Soriano Kho 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. Upon taking his Oath of Allegiance before an officer duly authorized for this
purpose, and the registration of the same with the Bureau of Immigration, Mr. Kitson Soriano
Kho shall enter upon the full enjoyment of his Philippine citizenship

See. 3. Upon registration of the Oath of Allegiance, the Bureau of Immigration shall issue
Mr. Kitson Soriano Kho his Certificate of Naturalization.

Sec. 4. This Act shall take effect immediately upon publication in at least two (2)
newspapers of general circulation

Approved,