Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 8171)
Republic Act No. 8171 provides for the repatriation of Filipino women who have lost their Philippine citizenship by marriage to aliens and natural-born Filipinos who have lost their citizenship, including their minor children, allowing them to reacquire Philippine citizenship.
Eligible are Filipino women who lost their citizenship by marriage to aliens, natural-born Filipinos who lost citizenship due to political or economic necessity, and their minor children.
Applicants who are opposed to organized government, teach doctrines opposing government, advocate violence, have been convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude, or suffer from mental alienation or incurable contagious diseases are disqualified.
Repatriation requires taking the oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines and registration in the proper civil registry and the Bureau of Immigration.
It repeals or amends all laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations inconsistent with its provisions.
It took effect 30 days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation, and it lapsed into law on July 3, 1995 without the President's signature.
The manner of reacquiring citizenship through repatriation is provided under Section 4 of Commonwealth Act No. 63, as amended.
Yes, the law includes minor children of those who lost Philippine citizenship.
Section 27(1), Article VI of the 1987 Philippine Constitution allowed the law to lapse into effect without the President's signature.