Case Summary (G.R. No. L-21400)
Relevant Background
On July 19, 1960, the Court of First Instance, presided by Judge Higinio B. Macadaeg, granted Chua Siong Hua's application for naturalization without opposition from the government. The court established that the petitioner was born in Manila on November 1, 1938, had never left the Philippines, was employed at Globe Electrical Supply with an annual income of P3,000, and possessed adequate knowledge of English and Tagalog. The court confirmed that he met all requirements for naturalization.
Motion to Take Oath and Opposition
Two years after the initial ruling, on September 24, 1962, the petitioner filed a motion to take the oath of allegiance as a Filipino citizen, as required by Republic Act No. 530. This time, the Republic opposed the motion, citing several grounds: lack of a lucrative occupation, failure to register and obtain a Certificate of Residence from the Bureau of Immigration, and discrepancies in his identity linked to conflicting dates of birth and aliases.
Court's Findings
On April 19, 1963, the lower court, under Judge Jose L. Moya, denied the motion for the oath. The ground for rejection was the petitioner's claimed monthly income of P250, which the court regarded as simulated. The court highlighted inconsistencies and questionable circumstances surrounding the petitioner's employment and income since he worked for a business owned by his father. The court emphasized the unrealism of such a salary for a young student, suggesting that it was a mere pretense to satisfy legal requirements.
Discrepancies and Aliases
The court noted significant inconsistencies regarding the petitioner's identity. Chua Siong Hua claimed to have been known as "William" in certain contexts, yet did not consistently use this name in official records, including his educational registration. The variations in his purported date of birth further clouded his identity, as he pr
...continue readingCase Syllabus (G.R. No. L-21400)
Case Background
- The case revolves around the appeal of William Chua Siong Hua regarding his petition for naturalization as a citizen of the Philippines.
- The initial decision to grant his naturalization was rendered by the Court of First Instance of Manila on July 19, 1960, without opposition from the Republic of the Philippines.
- The petitioner, William Chua Siong Hua, was born on November 1, 1938, in Manila and has lived in the Philippines his entire life.
- At the time of the initial ruling, he was employed at Globe Electrical Supply, earning an average annual income of P3,000.
- The petitioner possessed the ability to speak and write in both English and Tagalog, and had completed his primary and secondary education at the University of the East.
Opposing Grounds
- On September 24, 1962, the Republic of the Philippines, through the Solicitor-General, filed an opposition to the petitioner’s motion to take his oath of allegiance based on several grounds:
- The petitioner allegedly lacked a lucrative occupation.
- He violated government rules by failing to register and secure a Certificate of Residence from the Bureau of Immigration.
- There were discrepancies in his identity due to the use of different names and conflicting declarations about his date of birth.
Lower Court Findings
- On April 19, 1963, the lower court, presided by Hon. Jose L. Moya, denied the petitioner’s request to take his oath of allegiance.
- The court concluded that the petitioner&