Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 836)
The purpose of Presidential Decree No. 836 is to grant Philippine citizenship to deserving aliens residing in the country through a less expensive and more expeditious procedure, by naturalization via a decree issued by the President.
Philippine citizenship under Presidential Decree No. 836 is granted by the President of the Philippines, upon recommendation from a Special Committee on Naturalization.
The alien must take the oath of allegiance as a Philippine citizen and be issued a certificate of naturalization by the Special Committee for the grant of citizenship to take effect.
Upon naturalization, the Commission on Immigration and Deportation shall cancel their certificate of registration as aliens and issue identification certificates as Philippine citizens.
Yes, the alien wife and minor children of a person naturalized under this Decree are deemed Philippine citizens provided they do not suffer from disqualifications, reside permanently in the Philippines at the time of naturalization, or comply with residency and schooling requirements within one year if absent at the time of naturalization.
If the naturalized alien dies before taking the oath and certificate issuance, the widow residing in the Philippines and free from disqualifications may take the oath, and their minor children shall follow the citizenship of the mother.
A fine of up to Five Thousand Pesos and imprisonment for up to five years. If the convicted person is a naturalized citizen, their certificate of naturalization shall be canceled.
They must make an express renunciation of their title or membership in the order of nobility before the Special Committee, and the renunciation shall be part of the naturalization records.
The Special Committee is tasked to receive and process naturalization applications, issue certificates of naturalization, recommend applicants to the President, cancel certificates in certain cases, and promulgate rules and regulations for effective implementation of the Decree.