AN ACT DECLARING DR. PATRICK B. CONNON

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Republic Act No. 6131

Conferring Filipino Citizenship to Dr. Patrick B. Connon (Brother H. Gabriel Connon, FSC)
- Declares Dr. Patrick B. Connon, also known as Brother H. Gabriel Connon, FSC, an American citizen, as a citizen of the Philippines. (Section 1)
- Cites his 20 years of residence in the Philippines and service to the Filipino people in various fields, including:
    - Education: Served as President of De La Salle College, Manila (1950-59, 1967-70, 1970-present), founded De La Salle Colleges in other parts of the country, established a training college for Filipino De La Salle Brothers, and raised the standard of excellence in private schools through the creation of the Philippine Accreditation Association for Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU). (Whereas clause)
    - Civic, social, and economic activities: Active participation in charity drives and programs of the Government, and in the establishment of the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) (1968-70), a full-time Graduate Studies Program for Business Management. (Whereas clause)
- Requires Dr. Connon to take and register the following oath of allegiance to enter upon the full enjoyment of Filipino citizenship:
    "I, _____________________________, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I renounce absolutely and forever all allegiance or fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, and particularly to the Government of the United States of which up to this time I am a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution of the Philippines and that I will obey the laws, legal orders and decrees promulgated by the duly constituted authorities of the Republic of the Philippines; and I hereby declare that I recognize the supreme authority of the Government of the Republic 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 1)
    - The oath of allegiance shall be recorded in the Civil Registry of the City of Manila within thirty days after the approval of this Act. (Section 1)
- The Act shall take effect upon its approval. (Section 2)