Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS

Third Regular Session

House Bill No. 8251

Introduced by Hon. Juliet Marie D. Ferrer

EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article IV, Section of the 1987 Constitution states that:

“The following are citizens of the Philippines:

1) Those who are citizens of the Philippines at the time of the adoption of this
Constitution;

2) Those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the Philippines;

3) Those born before January 17,1973, of Filipino mothers, who elect Philippine
citizenship upon reaching the age of majority; and

4) Those who are naturalized in accordance with law.”

Foreign nationals born to Filipino fathers or mothers who wish to be recognized
as Filipinos may apply for a certificate of recognition with the Bureau of Immigration
under Instruction No. RBR-99002 dated 15 April 1999. However, this “certificate of
recognition” is not recognized by some government agencies and does not recognize
their full civil, economic and political rights enjoyed by Filipino citizens. In fact, it is
not clear what rights are granted to them when they are recognized except that they
can stay in the Philippines for as long as they want. We should welcome them because
they choose to live in the Philippines despite the fact that they can live abroad.

Former Filipino citizens who have been naturalized in another country can retain
or re-acquire their Filipino citizenship by applying for dual citizenship in accordance
with Republic Act No. 9225. Those born of Filipino mothers or fathers should also be
allowed to apply for dual citizenship if they choose. At the very least, their recognition
as Filipino citizens must be formalized and they should be granted the rights of
Filipinos.

Itis for these reasons that I seek the approval of this bill.

JULI ) FERRER:


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No.__ 8251

Introduced by Hon. Juliet Marie D. Ferrer

AN ACT
RECOGNIZING FILIPINO CITIZENS BORN ABROAD OF
FILIPINO MOTHERS OR FATHERS

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. “Recognition of Filipino Citizens Law”

SECTION 2. Declaration of policy. ~ It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
recognize Filipino citizens born abroad of Filipino mothers or fathers.

SECTION 3. Those who were born of Filipino mothers or fathers, regardless of their
place of birth and citizenship held, shall be recognized as Filipinos.

SECTION 4. Recognized Filipinos under this Act shall have the same rights and
privileges enjoyed by Filipinos born in the Philippines whose rights and privileges
date back to the time of their birth.

SECTION 5. Recognized Filipinos under this Act shall be issued a Recognition
identification card by the Bureau of Immigration upon submission of the
documentary requirements. This Recognition Identification Card shalll be accepted to
prove Filipino citizenship in the same way as a Philippine birth certificate.

SECTION 6. Recognized Filipinos under this Act may apply and be issued a Philippine
passport without losing their foreign citizenship. In effect, they shall be allowed to
have dual citizenship.

SECTION 7. Recognized Filipinos under this Act may exercise their right of suffrage.
However, they may not seek an elective public office unless they renounce their
foreign citizenship.

SECTION 8. Recognized Filipinos under this Act may practice their profession in the
Philippines and may be granted by the proper authority the license or permit to
engage in such practice.

SECTION 9. Derivative Citizenship. Children of Recognized Filipinos under this Act,
whether legitimate, illegitimate or adopted, may likewise seek recognition as
Filipinos.


SECTION 10. The Bureau of Immigration, Department of Foreign Affairs and the
Philippine Statistics Authority shall immediately promulgate the Implementing
Rules and Regulations of this Act.

SECTION 10. Separability Clause. If any section or provision of this Act is held
unconstitutional or invalid, any other section or Provision not affected thereby shall
remain valid and effective.

SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed and modified accordingly.

SECTION 12. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect upon its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.