QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 9225)
RA 9225 is the “Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003.” Its policy is that Philippine citizens who acquire foreign citizenship shall be deemed not to have lost their Philippine citizenship under the conditions provided in the Act.
It covers natural-born citizens who lost Philippine citizenship due to naturalization as citizens of a foreign country, as well as natural-born citizens who become citizens of a foreign country after the effectivity of the Act.
They are deemed to have re-acquired Philippine citizenship upon taking the required oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines.
The oath is a sworn/affirmed commitment to support and defend the Philippine Constitution, obey Philippine laws, recognize the supreme authority of the Philippines, and maintain true faith and allegiance without mental reservation or purpose of evasion. It is the condition that triggers re-acquisition under the Act.
They retain their Philippine citizenship upon taking the oath described in Section 3.
Yes. Section 4 covers the unmarried child—whether legitimate, illegitimate, or adopted—below eighteen (18) years old.
The child must be unmarried and below eighteen (18) years of age.
They enjoy full civil and political rights and are subject to all attendant liabilities and responsibilities under existing laws, subject to the specific conditions in Section 5.
They must meet the requirements under Section 1, Article V of the Constitution, Republic Act No. 918 (Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003), and other existing laws.
They must meet constitutional and statutory qualifications, and at the time of filing the Certificate of Candidacy, make a personal and sworn renunciation of any and all foreign citizenship before an authorized public officer.
They must subscribe and swear an oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines and its duly constituted authorities prior to assumption of office, and they must renounce their oath of allegiance to the country where they took that oath.
Those who are candidates for or occupying any public office in the country of which they are naturalized citizens, and/or those in active service as commissioned or non-commissioned officers in the armed forces of the country where they are naturalized citizens.
Those intending to practice their profession in the Philippines must apply with the proper authority for a license or permit to engage in such practice.
If any section or provision is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections not affected remain valid and effective.
All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations inconsistent with RA 9225 are repealed or modified accordingly.
After fifteen (15) days following its publication in the Official Gazette or two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
RA 9225 amends Commonwealth Act No. 63 and provides that, under the Act’s conditions (particularly the oath and related requirements), natural-born citizens who naturalize abroad are deemed not to have lost (or are deemed to have re-acquired) Philippine citizenship.