Policy and governing principle
- Section 2 declares the State policy that Philippine citizens who become citizens of another country are deemed not to have lost their Philippine citizenship under the conditions of the Act.
- Section 2 establishes that retention is triggered by the requirements expressly stated in Republic Act No. 9225.
Retention and re-acquisition of citizenship
- Section 3 provides that any provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, natural-born citizens who have lost Philippine citizenship by reason of naturalization as citizens of a foreign country are deemed to have re-acquired Philippine citizenship upon taking the required oath of allegiance.
- The oath of allegiance required under Section 3 is:
- “I _________________, solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines and obey the laws and legal orders promulgated by the duly constituted authorities of the Philippines, and I hereby declare that I recognize and accept the supreme authority of the Philippines and will maintain true faith and allegiance thereto; and that I impose this obligation upon myself voluntarily without mental reservation or purpose of evasion.”
- Section 3 provides that natural-born citizens of the Philippines who, after the effectivity of the Act, become citizens of a foreign country shall retain their Philippine citizenship upon taking the same oath.
- Section 3 fixes the operative mechanism for reinstatement/retention as deeming by effect tied to oath-taking.
Derivative citizenship for children
- Section 4 provides that the unmarried child of a person who re-acquires Philippine citizenship upon effectivity of the Act is deemed a citizen of the Philippines.
- Section 4 covers children whether legitimate, illegitimate or adopted.
- Section 4 limits derivative citizenship to children below eighteen (18) years of age.
- Section 4 applies to the child of those who re-acquire under Section 3 upon effectivity of the Act.
Civil and political rights; required conditions
- Section 5 provides that persons who retain or re-acquire Philippine citizenship under the Act shall enjoy full civil and political rights and shall be subject to all attendant liabilities and responsibilities under existing Philippine laws and the conditions in Section 5.
- Suffrage condition: Those intending to exercise the right of suffrage must meet the requirements under Section 1, Article V of the Constitution, Republic Act No. 918, titled “The Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003,” and other existing laws.
- Elective office renunciation at filing: Those seeking elective public office must meet constitutional and legal qualifications, and at the time of filing the certificate of candidacy, must execute a personal and sworn renunciation of any and all foreign citizenship before any public officer authorized to administer an oath.
- Appointed office oath and renunciation: Those appointed to public office must subscribe and swear to an oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines and its duly constituted authorities prior to assumption of office, and they must renounce their oath of allegiance to the country where they took that oath.
- Professional licensing requirement: Those intending to practice their profession in the Philippines must apply with the proper authority for a license or permit to engage in such practice.
- Voting/elective/appointed-office limits: The right to vote or be elected or appointed to any public office in the Philippines cannot be exercised by, or extended to, those who:
- are candidates for or are occupying any public office in the country of which they are naturalized citizens; and/or
- are in active service as commissioned or non-commissioned officers in the armed forces of the country of which they are naturalized citizens.
Separability, repealing, and effect on inconsistent rules
- Section 6 provides a separability rule: if any section or provision of Republic Act No. 9225 is held unconstitutional or invalid, other sections or provisions not affected remain valid and effective.
- Section 7 provides that all laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations inconsistent with the Act are repealed or modified accordingly.