Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 460)
The main purpose of Executive Order No. 460 is to reactivate the Special Committee on Naturalization with the jurisdiction and authority to consider and evaluate petitions for naturalization of deserving aliens and to recommend action thereon to the President of the Philippines.
Prior to its reactivation, the Special Committee on Naturalization was granted jurisdiction and authority under Letter of Instructions No. 270, as amended by other Letters of Instructions and Presidential Decrees, to receive, consider, and recommend actions on petitions for naturalization of deserving aliens.
The Memorandum issued by President Corazon C. Aquino directed the Chairman and Members of the Special Committee on Naturalization to cease and desist from undertaking any and all proceedings within their functional area of responsibility.
There were approximately 9,000 petitions for naturalization pending with the Special Committee on Naturalization at the time of reactivation.
The President of the Philippines has the authority to approve or deny petitions for naturalization recommended by the Special Committee on Naturalization.
The Solicitor General, as Chairman of the Special Committee on Naturalization, is authorized to fix the fees for application forms, docketing, oath-taking, and other processing fees. The Solicitor General also has authority to fix honoraria, allowances, and incidental expenses for the committee members and staff.
The legal basis includes Letter of Instructions No. 270 and its amendments, Presidential Decrees Nos. 836 and 1379, as well as the exercise of the President's constitutional powers under Executive Order No. 460.
EO No. 460 intends to provide a speedier and more practical method of administrative proceedings for naturalization, avoiding the tedious and expensive judicial process.
All laws, decrees, executive orders, administrative orders, proclamations, rules and regulations, or parts thereof that conflict with EO No. 460 are repealed or modified accordingly.
EO No. 460 took effect immediately upon its issuance on December 3, 1997.
The Special Committee on Naturalization is responsible for receiving, considering, and evaluating petitions and then submitting recommendations to the President.
The Committee is to receive petitions for naturalization, evaluate them, and recommend approval or denial to the President for decision.