QuestionsQuestions (Commonwealth Act No. 79)
It declares Hon. Francis Burton Harrison, former Governor-General of the Philippines, a citizen of the Philippines and confers upon him all the rights, duties, privileges, and prerogatives of Filipino citizenship.
He is declared a Filipino citizen under Section 1, but he enters upon the full enjoyment of Filipino citizenship only after taking the required oath of allegiance.
He must swear/affirm that he recognizes and accepts the supreme authority of the United States in the Philippines; will maintain true faith and allegiance to it; will support and defend the Constitution of the Philippines; will obey laws and legal orders/decrees of the Commonwealth authorities; and will do so voluntarily without mental reservation or purpose of evasion.
The United States of America in the Philippines.
Upon taking the oath, he shall “enter upon the full enjoyment of Filipino citizenship” with all rights, duties, privileges, and prerogatives incident to and conferred by Filipino citizenship.
No. The Act specifically provides that full enjoyment of citizenship occurs upon taking the oath of allegiance.
All rights, duties, privileges, and prerogatives incident to and conferred by Filipino citizenship under the Constitution and laws of the Philippines now or later enacted.
It means his citizenship is governed not only by existing rules at the time of the Act but also by future constitutional and statutory provisions regarding citizenship.
They provide context and legislative intent—e.g., Harrison’s expressed desire to become a citizen, his interest in Filipino welfare and independence, and the perceived propriety of the Philippine people honoring his contributions.
It was enacted by the National Assembly of the Philippines. This indicates the Commonwealth-era legislative body exercising authority to pass laws effective within that political framework.
It takes effect upon its approval.
It identifies Harrison’s prior official position as the basis for the special legislative grant of citizenship.
It is a special/bill-of-grant statute conferring citizenship to a named individual, rather than establishing general rules applicable to all persons.
It reflects the Commonwealth period arrangement where the United States had ultimate sovereignty while the Philippines had self-government under the Commonwealth government; the oath conforms to that constitutional/political reality.
The declaration assigns citizenship status, while the oath is a condition for full enjoyment/activation of citizenship rights—emphasizing consent and formal acceptance of governing authority and laws.