Granting Citizenship To Deserving Aliens And For Other Purposes

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Presidential Decree No. 836

Granting Citizenship to Deserving Aliens
- Establishes a procedure for aliens residing in the Philippines to become naturalized citizens through a decree, rather than the regular judicial process.
- A Special Committee on Naturalization was created to receive and process applications, and make recommendations to the President.

Effects and Conditions of Naturalization
1. Naturalization is effective upon taking the oath of allegiance and receiving a certificate of naturalization from the Special Committee. (Section 1)
2. If the alien dies before taking the oath, the widow residing in the Philippines may take the oath, and minor children will follow the mother's acquired citizenship. (Section 2)
3. Alien wives and minor children of naturalized persons are deemed Philippine citizens if:
- The wife has no disqualifications for naturalization (Section 3a)
- They reside permanently in the Philippines at the time of the husband's naturalization (Section 3b)
- If not residing in the Philippines, the wife must come within 1 year and children within 1 year and enroll in Philippine schools (Sections 3c, 3d)
4. If the naturalized person is a woman, her minor children follow the father's citizenship but can elect Philippine citizenship upon reaching majority. (Section 4)
5. The Special Committee may cancel certificates of naturalization in cases of:
- False statements, misrepresentation, violation of laws, or fraudulent/illegal acquisition of citizenship (Section 5a)
- Establishing permanent residence abroad within 5 years, with remaining abroad for over 1 year as prima facie evidence (Section 5b)
- Using naturalization as a dummy to exercise rights requiring Philippine citizenship (Section 5c)
- Committing acts inimical to national security (Section 5d)
6. Naturalized persons must renounce hereditary titles or orders of nobility. (Section 6)
7. The Special Committee is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations. (Section 7)
8. Penalties for fraudulently making, falsifying, or aiding in obtaining naturalization certificates in violation of the decree, including fines up to 5,000 Pesos and imprisonment up to 5 years, with cancellation of naturalization for convicted naturalized citizens. (Section 8)
9. The decree takes immediate effect. (Section 9)

Annex A lists the names of individuals granted Philippine citizenship by the decree.