G.R. No. 142616 - Philippine National Bank vs. Ritratto Group Inc.

Florentina Villahermosa filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus on behalf of her son, Delfin Co, who was detained by the immigration authorities for deportation.
The lower court, Honorable Sotero Rodas, Judge of the Manila Court of First Instance, denied the petition.
The case was appealed to the Supreme Court En Banc.

On March 24, 1947, a group of sixty-nine Chinese immigrants landed clandestinely on the shores of Sto. Domingo, Ilocos Sur to evade Philippine immigration laws.
Delfin Co, an 18-year-old born in Paniqui, Tarlac, led the group. His father was Co Suy (Chinese), and his mother was Florentina Villahermosa (Filipina).
Co Suy died in July 1940. Delfin had left the Philippines in 1946 as a Chinese repatriate but returned to lead the smuggling operation for financial reasons.
The group was apprehended soon after arrival; Delfin was examined by the Commissioner of Immigration on March 27, 1947.
On April 14, 1947, a board recommended Delfin’s deportation, which the Commissioner agreed to, issuing a deportation order.

On April 29, 1947, Florentina Villahermosa filed an oath of allegiance to reacquire Philippine citizenship under Commonwealth Act No. 63.
Petitioner argued Delfin, as a minor, followed his mother's citizenship and was thus Filipino, not subject to deportation.
Both the immigration authorities and the lower court rejected this claim, leading to the appeal.

Is Delfin Co a Philippine citizen subject to protection from deportation under Philippine law?
If Delfin Co is a Philippine citizen, can he nevertheless be deported for unlawful entry and violation of immigration laws?
Does the reacquisition of Philippine citizenship by his mother affect Delfin’s citizenship and deportation status?