Case Summary (G.R. No. L-20194)
Background of the Case
Uy filed his petition for naturalization on May 29, 1961. He claimed to have been born on September 20, 1939, in the City of Manila, and alleged continuous residence in the Philippines for at least fifteen years prior to his application. He asserted that he was single, had received his education from De La Salle College, and possessed sufficient financial resources, claiming an annual income from dividends and a salary as an employee. His net worth included capital stock inherited from his deceased father and cash savings.
Denial of Naturalization Application
The lower court denied Uy’s application for several reasons. The primary grounds included the court's finding that he did not engage in a lucrative profession or occupation, a lack of evidence demonstrating irreproachable conduct throughout his residence in the Philippines, and the use of an alias without proper authority. The court scrutinized his employment claims, noting that his salary was only P180.00 and that his supposed employer, Uy Su Bin and Co., was controlled by his family members, suggesting a fabricated employment status aimed at meeting the naturalization requirements.
Assessment of Employment Claims
Despite Uy's assertion that he was employed for a month before filing his application, the court concluded that this employment was merely a strategic maneuver meant to circumvent the requirements of the Revised Naturalization Law. The court emphasized that the income he reported did not meet the threshold of what would be considered a lucrative occupation, referencing previous case law wherein an annual income of P8,687.50 was deemed insufficient for naturalization.
Conclusion on Alias Usage
Regarding the usage of an alias, the trial court found that Uy was indeed known by both his given name and the alias, Uy Khe Khun. The evidence presented in court showed that his name was recorded as such in official documents, reinforcing the court's conclusion that he had been using this alias without the requisite legal authority. Uy's attempt to attribute the use of the al
...continue readingCase Syllabus (G.R. No. L-20194)
Case Overview
- This case pertains to the appeal of James Uy, also known as Uy Khe Khun, regarding the denial of his petition for naturalization by the Court of First Instance of Manila.
- The appeal was filed against the decision rendered in Civil Case No. 47168 on July 17, 1969.
Background of the Petitioner
- James Uy, born on September 20, 1939, in Manila, is a citizen of Nationalist China.
- He claimed to be single and asserted that he had resided continuously in the Philippines for at least fifteen years preceding his petition.
- At the time of filing, he reported a monthly salary of P180.00 and had substantial inherited capital stock worth P16,600.00, generating annual dividends of P1,660.00 since 1953, along with savings of P10,000.00.
- Uy was exempt from filing a declaration of intention due to his birth in the Philippines and had received his primary and secondary education at the government-recognized De La Salle College.
Legal Proceedings
- Following the publication of the notice of hearing for his application, the Solicitor General opposed Uy’s petition.
- The trial court evaluated the evidence presented during the trial before rendering its judgment.
Grounds for Denial of Naturalization
- The trial court denied Uy’s application b