Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1350)
The main purpose is to allow applicants for naturalization as citizens of the Philippines to conditionally take any Board examination, except the bar examinations, if otherwise qualified, pending approval of their naturalization applications.
No, the Decree explicitly excludes the Bar examinations from the list of exams that applicants for naturalization can conditionally take.
An alien may take any Board examination, except the Bar examinations, conditionally while their application for naturalization is pending, provided they are otherwise qualified to take the examination.
The examination results shall be withheld insofar as the alien is concerned, and they shall not be issued a certificate of registration to practice the profession until their naturalization application is approved and they take the oath of Philippine citizenship.
It repeals or modifies any laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or parts thereof that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Decree.
These Letters of Instructions provide a simpler and easier procedure for admission as Filipino citizens by decree to qualified aliens who have demonstrated love, loyalty, and contribution to the Philippines, facilitating their naturalization.
The alien must have filed an application for naturalization as a citizen of the Philippines and must be otherwise qualified to take the examination.
No, the alien cannot practice until their application for naturalization is approved and they have formally taken their oath as a Filipino citizen.
The rationale is to remove impediments to the full integration of deserving aliens into the national fabric by allowing them to demonstrate their qualifications and loyalty even before formal naturalization.