Case Digest (G.R. No. L-20712)
Facts:
Tan King Book v. Republic of the Philippines, G.R. No. L-20712, February 28, 1966, the Supreme Court En Banc (Bengzon, C.J., Bautista Angelo, Concepcion, Reyes, J. B. L., Barrera, Dizon, Regala, Makalintal, Bengzon, J. P., and Sanchez, JJ., concurring), Zaldivar, J., writing for the Court.
Petitioner Tan King Book, a Chinese national who arrived in the Philippines on July 19, 1929, filed a petition for naturalization in the Court of First Instance of Misamis Occidental. The lower court found that all jurisdictional prerequisites were met and, after hearing evidence, ruled that petitioner satisfied the qualifications and had no disqualifications to become a Philippine citizen; it directed that a certificate of Philippine citizenship be issued upon finality in accordance with Republic Act No. 530.
Evidence presented at the hearing showed petitioner was born December 19, 1916 in Lamua, China; had resided in the Philippines continuously since 1929 (about 32 years, 26 years in Ozamis City); was employed at and part-owner of the Misamis Soap and Candle Factory; testified to belief in the Philippine Constitution, good moral character, knowledge of English and Cebuano, and that his wife, Wong Soi Tee, resided in Hong Kong. Two character witnesses testified on his behalf. Documentary exhibits included an Alien Certificate of Registration (1950) and income tax returns for 1960–1961.
The Republic, through the Solicitor General, appealed the CFI decision. The Solicitor General raised three assignments of error: (1) that the trial court erred in not granting the City Fiscal’s motion for a new trial to permit further cross-examination; (2) that the trial court erred in finding petitioner married to Wong Soi Tee when records showed a wife named Uy See Teh/Ui...(Pro-only)
Issues:
- Did the trial court err in denying the City Fiscal’s motion for a new trial to allow additional cross-examination?
- Did petitioner satisfactorily prove his marital status and the identity of his alleged wife residing abroad?
- Did petitioner establish a lucrative trade, profession, or steady income sufficient to qualify for naturalization under the ...(Pro-only)
Ruling:
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Ratio:
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Doctrine:
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