What the amendment changes
- Section 1 amends the last paragraph of Section 1 of Commonwealth Act No. 63, as amended by Republic Acts No. 106 and Republic Act No. 2639.
- The amended last paragraph provides a rule that prevents loss or forfeiture of Philippine citizenship in defined cases.
- The rule applies “notwithstanding the provisions of this section,” establishing a specific exception to loss or forfeiture.
Citizenship-loss exception for certain natural-born citizens
- The exception applies to a natural born Filipino citizen who acquires citizenship by virtue of another country’s nationality law.
- Loss or forfeiture does not occur if the acquisition is from one of the Iberian and any friendly democratic Ibero-American countries.
- Loss or forfeiture also does not occur if the acquisition is from the United Kingdom.
- The exception requires that “the law of that country grants the same privilege to its citizens.”
Treaty condition required
- The exception applies only if it has been agreed upon by treaty between the Philippines and the foreign country from which citizenship is acquired.
- The treaty must cover the privilege granted by the foreign country to its citizens and the reciprocal arrangement with the Philippines.