[ REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 9225 ]
SECTION 1. Short
Title . – This Act shall be known as the “Citizenship
Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003.”
SEC. 2. Declaration of
Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the state that all
Philippine citizens who become citizens of another country shall
be deemed not to have lost their Philippine citizenship under the
conditions of this Act.
SEC. 3. Retention of
Philippine Citizenship . – Any provision of law to the
contrary notwithstanding, natural-born citizens of the Philippines
who have lost their Philippine citizenship by reason of their
naturalization as citizens of a foreign country are hereby deemed to have
reacquired Philippine citizenship upon taking the following oath of
allegiance to the Republic:
“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.”
Natural-born citizens of the
Philippines who, after the effectivity of this Act, become citizens of a
foreign country shall retain their Philippine citizenship upon taking the
aforesaid oath.
SEC. 4.
Derivative Citizenship .
– The unmarried child, whether legitimate, illegitimate or adopted,
below eighteen (18) years of age, of those who re-acquire
Philippine citizenship upon effectivity of this Act shall be
deemed citizens of the Philippines.
SEC. 5. Civil
and Political Rights and Liabilities. – Those who retain or
reacquire Philippine citizenship under this Act shall enjoy full civil and
political rights and be subject to all attendant liabilities and
responsibilities under existing laws of the Philippines and the following
conditions:
(1)
Those intending to exercise their right of suffrage must meet the
requirements under Section 1, Article V of the Constitution, Republic Act
No. 9189, otherwise known as “The Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003” and
other existing laws;
(2)
Those seeking elective public office in the Philippines shall meet
the qualifications for holding such public office as required by the
Constitution and existing laws and, at the time of the filing of the
certificate of candidacy, make a personal and sworn renunciation of any and
all foreign citizenship before any public authorized to administer an oath;
(3)
Those appointed to any public office shall subscribe and swear to an
oath of allegiance to the Republic of the
Philippines and its duly
constituted authorities prior to their assumption of office: Provided,
That they renounce their oath of allegiance to the country where they took
that oath;
(4)
Those intending to practice their profession in the Philippines shall
apply with the proper authority for a license or permit to engage in such
practice; and
(5)
That right to vote or be elected or appointed to any public office in
the Philippines cannot be exercised by, or extended to, those who:
(a)
are candidates for or are occupying any public office in the country
of which they are naturalized citizens; and/or
(b)
are in active service as commissioned or non-commissioned officers in
the armed forces of the country which they are naturalized citizens.
SEC. 6.
Separability Clause.
– If any section or provision of this Act is held unconstitutional or
invalid, any other or provision not affected thereby shall remain valid and
effective.
SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.
SEC.
8. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect after
fifteen (15) days following its publication in the Official Gazette or two
newspapers of general circulation.
________________________________________________________________________________
EFFECTIVITY
: SEPTEMBER 18, 2003
PUBLICATION :
September 2, 2003 ( Manila Times and Today)
