Facts:

• On May 16, 1960, Lucio Lim Yeo filed a petition for naturalization in the Court of First Instance of Zamboanga.
• His petition included affidavits from character witnesses Leon Uro and Marciano Montojo.
• The Republic of the Philippines opposed the petition on June 14, 1961, citing Yeo's lack of lucrative employment.
• The trial court ruled on September 27, 1962, declaring Yeo eligible for naturalization, with a two-year waiting period for finality.
• The Republic of the Philippines appealed the decision.
• Yeo was a citizen of the Republic of China, born on October 17, 1939, in Zamboanga del Sur, and had lived in the Philippines continuously.
• He worked as a General Clerk at State Glass Supply, earning P3,000.00 annually, and had a part-time job at Jabo Trading, earning an additional P2,600.00.
• Yeo filed income tax returns for 1960 and 1961 and paid the corresponding taxes.
• He was a fourth-year engineering student at Mapua Institute of Technology and was proficient in Chavacano and English.
• Character witnesses testified to his good moral character and social integration, but the Solicitor General raised concerns about jurisdiction, employment nature, witness credibility, and the naturalization grant.

Issue:

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Ruling:

• The Supreme Court found that the trial court did not err in assuming jurisdiction over the case.
• The Court ruled that the trial court erred in finding that the petitioner had lucrative employment.
• The Court concluded that the character witnesses were not credible....(Unlock)

Ratio:

• The Supreme Court reasoned that Yeo had resided in Zamboanga, as his temporary stay in Manila for education did not equate to abandoning his residence.
• The publication of the petition and notice of hearing was deemed sufficient, as i...continue reading