Law Summary
Declaration of Policy
- Philippine citizens who acquire foreign citizenship shall not lose their Philippine citizenship under this Act.
Retention of Philippine Citizenship
- Natural-born Filipinos who lost citizenship by naturalization in another country re-acquire Philippine citizenship by taking an oath of allegiance.
- Natural-born citizens acquiring foreign citizenship after the Act retains Philippine citizenship upon taking the oath.
- The oath commits the individual to support the Philippine Constitution and obey its laws.
Derivative Citizenship
- Unmarried children under eighteen (18) of those re-acquiring citizenship under the Act are deemed citizens of the Philippines.
Civil and Political Rights and Liabilities
- Those retaining or reclaiming citizenship enjoy full civil and political rights and assume all responsibilities under Philippine law.
- Voting rights require compliance with the Constitution, the Overseas Absentee Voting Act, and related laws.
- Candidates for elective office must meet constitutional qualifications and renounce foreign citizenship by a sworn statement upon filing candidacy.
- Appointees to public office must take an oath of allegiance to the Philippines and renounce allegiance to other countries before assuming office.
- Professional practice in the Philippines requires obtaining the appropriate license or permit.
- Restrictions on exercising political rights include:
- Candidates or holders of public office in a foreign country cannot exercise Philippine public office rights.
- Those in active military service of another country cannot exercise these rights.
Separability Clause
- If any provision is found unconstitutional or invalid, the rest of the Act remains effective.
Repealing Clause
- Laws and regulations inconsistent with this Act are repealed or modified accordingly.
Effectivity Clause
- The Act takes effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or two newspapers of general circulation.