Case Summary (G.R. No. 181721)
Petitioner Background
The petitioner, Casiano King, was born on August 13, 1933, in Manila, where he has resided since birth. He is employed as a sales supervisor at the Pacific Glass Company, earning a basic monthly salary of P500.00, with an annual income approximating P10,000.00. King's current citizenship is with Nationalist China, where he is married to a Chinese national, Ko Le Tin, with whom he has one child, Cary King.
Evidence Presented
In support of his petition for naturalization, King provided evidence demonstrating that he can speak and write English and Tagalog, and he professes allegiance to the principles of the Philippine Constitution. He described his social integration with Filipinos and articulated a sincere intention to learn and adopt their customs and traditions. Furthermore, he claimed not to be affiliated with any groups opposing organized government, and he has not been convicted of any crime of moral turpitude or suffer from any contagious diseases.
Initial Ruling and Reconsideration
The Court of First Instance denied King's petition on August 29, 1961, primarily because the character witnesses he presented did not sufficiently demonstrate that he had maintained an irreproachable conduct throughout his residence in the Philippines. King subsequently filed a motion for reconsideration on September 19, 1961, which the trial court denied on September 23, 1961, leading to the current appeal.
Legal Issue
The central issue under review is whether the character witnesses are required to affirm that the petitioner has conducted himself properly during his entire residence in the Philippines. The pertinent statutory provisions include Section 2, paragraph 3, and the second sentence of Section 7 of the Revised Naturalization Law.
Relevant Legal Provisions
Section 2, paragraph 3 specifies that a petitioner must demonstrate good moral character and that his conduct during his residence in the Philippines reflects this. Additionally, Section 7 stipulates that the petition must be backed by affidavits from at least two credible witnesses, stating that the petitioner is a resident and that they consider him to possess the necessary qualifications for citizenship.
Witness Testimonial Requirements
It is pertinent to note that the character witnesses must have known the petitioner during his entire period of residence to qualify as credible attestants. As previously established in similar cases, the witnesses presented by King only became acquainted with him in 1939 and 1947, hence they were not in a position to vouch for his conduct prior to their acquaintance, which is a substantial requirement for a successful naturalization petition.
Financial Consideration for Lucrative Occupation
The financial qualification requir
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Case Overview
- The case involves an appeal by Casiano King from a decision of the Court of First Instance of Manila which denied his petition for naturalization as a citizen of the Philippines.
- The decision was rendered on August 29, 1961, based on the failure of the character witnesses to sufficiently prove that King had conducted himself properly during his residence in the Philippines.
Petitioner’s Background
- Casiano King was born in Manila on August 13, 1933, and has lived there continuously since his birth.
- He is employed as a sales supervisor for the Pacific Glass Company with a basic monthly salary of P500.00, leading to an annual income of approximately P10,000.00.
- King is a citizen of Nationalist China, with a Chinese wife, Ko Le Tin, and one child, Cary King, who resides with him in Manila.
Evidence Submitted by Petitioner
- King demonstrated his capability to communicate in English and Tagalog and expressed his belief in the principles underlying the Philippine Constitution.
- He indicated that he has socially mingled with Filipinos and has a sincere desire to embrace Filipino customs and traditions.
- He affirmed his opposition to violent doctrines, confirmed he is not a polygamist, and stated he has not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude nor suffers from any incurable contagious disease.
- King intended to renounce all allegiance to his current citizenship and to reside continuously in the Philippines.
Grounds for Denial of Naturalization
- The peti