Title
Philippine Citizenship Loss and Reacquisition
Law
Commonwealth Act No. 63
Decision Date
Oct 21, 1936
Commonwealth Act No. 63 outlines the ways in which Philippine citizenship may be lost or reacquired, including through naturalization, repatriation, and direct act of the National Assembly, with the Secretary of Justice playing a key role in enforcing the Act and issuing regulations for its implementation.

Law Summary

Methods for Reacquiring Philippine Citizenship

  • By naturalization, provided the applicant does not possess disqualifications as defined by Act No. 2927
  • Repatriation of deserters of the Army, Navy, or Air Corps
  • Repatriation of women who lost citizenship by marriage after termination of the marital status
  • By direct legislative act of the National Assembly

Procedures for Reacquisition by Naturalization

  • Subject to the naturalization process under Act No. 2927 as amended, except:
    • General and special qualifications under sections 3 and 4 of Act No. 2927 are not required
  • Applicant must be at least 21 years old
  • Residency requirement of at least six months in the Philippines prior to application
  • Applicant must have behaved properly and irreproachably during the residency
  • Applicant must pledge an oath of permanent renunciation of allegiance to the foreign state or sovereignty

Repatriation Process

  • Simple procedure requiring taking an oath of allegiance to the Commonwealth of the Philippines
  • Registration in the appropriate civil registry is mandatory

Regulatory Authority and Implementation

  • The Secretary of Justice shall issue regulations to enforce the Act
  • The Solicitor General prepares and furnishes naturalization blanks subject to Secretary of Justice approval

Effectivity

  • The Act became effective upon approval on October 21, 1936

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