Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 9139)
The Act is known as 'The Administrative Naturalization Law of 2000.'
The State controls and regulates the admission and integration of aliens including the grant of citizenship, granting citizenship to aliens born and residing in the Philippines through administrative proceedings under certain requirements.
The applicant must be born and residing in the Philippines since birth, at least 18 years old, of good moral character, have completed primary and secondary education with Philippine curriculum, have lawful occupation or profession, able to read, write, and speak Filipino or dialect, mingled with Filipinos, and sincerely desire to embrace Filipino customs and ideals.
Those opposed to organized government, those defending violence, polygamists, persons convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude, mentally alienated or with incurable contagious disease, those who have not mingled with Filipinos, citizens of enemy countries in wartime, and citizens of countries that do not allow Filipinos similar naturalization rights.
The petition must include personal details, proof of qualifications, declarations of good character, financial capacity, intention to renounce former citizenship, and must be filed with supporting documents such as birth certificate, education records, and affidavits by Filipino citizens.
The Special Committee on Naturalization composed of the Solicitor General as chairman, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs or representative, and the National Security Adviser.
The Committee reviews if the petition is complete, publishes the petition in newspapers for three weeks, posts copies in public places, and coordinates with government agencies to obtain reports on the applicant within 30 days.
The petitioner is notified and must pay a naturalization fee and take an oath of allegiance within specified periods or the approval is deemed abandoned.
Fines up to Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) and imprisonment of up to five years, with possible cancellation of the naturalization certificate.
After approval, alien wife and minor children may file petitions for cancellation of their alien certificates and naturalization with payment of fees; however, if the applicant is a married woman, her alien husband does not automatically benefit from her naturalization.