Question & AnswerQ&A (Commonwealth Act No. 473)
The official title of Commonwealth Act No. 473 is the "Revised Naturalization Law."
A person must be at least 21 years old; have resided continuously in the Philippines for at least 10 years; be of good moral character and believe in the principles of the Philippine Constitution; own real estate worth at least 5,000 pesos or have a lucrative trade, profession, or lawful occupation; be able to speak and write English or Spanish and a principal Philippine language; and have enrolled minor children in recognized schools teaching Philippine history, government, and civics.
The residency requirement is reduced to 5 years if the petitioner has honorably held government office, established a new industry or introduced a useful invention, is married to a Filipino woman, has been a teacher in a public or recognized private school in the Philippines for at least 2 years, or was born in the Philippines.
Persons opposed to organized government, advocates of violence or assassination, polygamists, persons convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude, those suffering from mental alienation or incurable contagious diseases, those who did not mingle socially with Filipinos or show a desire to embrace Filipino customs, citizens of enemy nations during wartime, and citizens of countries that do not grant Filipinos the right to naturalize are disqualified.
The declaration of intention is a sworn statement of the bona fide intent to become a Philippine citizen. It must be filed with the Bureau of Justice one year prior to the filing of the petition for naturalization.
The widow and minor children of such alien may, by complying with the law's provisions, be naturalized without filing a separate declaration of intention.
The petition must include the name and surname, present and former residences, occupation, birth details, marital status and children, date and port of arrival in the Philippines, qualifications, absence of disqualifications, compliance with the declaration of intention, intent to reside continuously, and be signed by the petitioner. It must also be supported by affidavits of two credible Filipino citizens.
The Court of First Instance of the province where the petitioner has resided for at least one year prior to the petition filing.
The petition must be published at the petitioner's expense once a week for three consecutive weeks in the Official Gazette and in a local newspaper, with notices posted conspicuously in the clerk's office.
The Solicitor-General, either personally or through a delegate or the provincial fiscal, must appear on behalf of the Commonwealth government.
The naturalization certificate may be cancelled by the competent judge upon motion by the Solicitor-General or provincial fiscal, and its cancellation is recorded and communicated to relevant government agencies.
Penalties include fines up to 5,000 pesos, imprisonment up to 5 years, or both. If the convict is a naturalized citizen, their naturalization certificate will be cancelled.
A woman married to a naturalized citizen is deemed a Philippine citizen. Minor children born in the Philippines are citizens. Foreign-born minor children residing in the Philippines at the parent's naturalization also become citizens, continuing citizenship if residing permanently until majority or registering with a Philippine consulate if born thereafter.
No prosecution can be initiated unless information or complaints are filed within five years from the discovery of the offense.