Republic of the Philippines HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Quezon City SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS ‘Third Regular Session 8251 House Bill No. Introduced by Hon. Juliet Marie D. Ferrer EXPLANATORY NOTE Article IV, Section of the 1987 Constitution states that: “The following are citizens of the Philippines: 1) Those who are citizens of the Philippines at the time of the adoption of this Constitution; 2) Those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the Philippines; 3) Those born before January 17,1973, of Filipino mothers, who elect Philippine citizenship upon reaching the age of majority; and 4) Those who are naturalized in accordance with law.” Foreign nationals born to Filipino fathers or mothers who wish to be recognized as Filipinos may apply for a certificate of recognition with the Bureau of Immigration under Instruction No. RBR-99002 dated 15 April 1999. However, this “certificate of recognition” is not recognized by some government agencies and does not recognize their full civil, economic and political rights enjoyed by Filipino citizens. In fact, it is not clear what rights are granted to them when they are recognized except that they can stay in the Philippines for as longas they want. We should welcome them because they choose to live in the Philippines despite the fact that they can live abroad. Former Filipino citizens who have been naturalized in another country can retain or re-acquire their Filipino citizenship by applying for dual citizenship in accordance with Republic Act No. 9225. Those born of Filipino mothers or fathers should also be allowed to apply for dual citizenship if they choose. At the very least, their recognition as Filipino citizens must be formalized and they should be granted the rights of Filipinos. It is for these reasons that I seek the approval of this bill. JULIET’ FERRERRepublic of the Philippines HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Quezon City SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS Third Regular Session House Bill No._8251 Introduced by Hon. Juliet Marie D. Ferrer AN ACT RECOGNIZING FILIPINO CITIZENS BORN ABROAD OF FILIPINO MOTHERS OR FATHERS, Be it enacted by the Senate and House of representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: SECTION 1. Short Title. “Recognition of Filipino Citizens Law” SECTION 2. Declaration of policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to recognize Filipino citizens born abroad of Filipino mothers or fathers. SECTION 3. Those who were born of Filipino mothers or fathers, regardless of their place of birth and citizenship held, shall be recognized as Filipinos. SECTION 4. Recognized Filipinos under this Act shall have the same rights and privileges enjoyed by Filipinos born in the Philippines whose rights and privileges date back to the time of their birth. SECTION 5. Recognized Filipinos under this Act shall be issued a Recognition identification card by the Bureau of Immigration upon submission of the documentary requirements. This Recognition Identification Card shall be accepted to prove Filipino citizenship in the same way as a Philippine birth certificate. SECTION 6. Recognized Filipinos under this Act may apply and be issued a Philippine passport without losing their foreign citizenship. In effect, they shall be allowed to have dual citizenship. SECTION 7. Recognized Filipinos under this Act may exercise their right of suffrage. However, they may not seek an elective public office unless they renounce their foreign citizenship. SECTION 8. Recognized Filipinos under this Act may practice their profession in the Philippines and may be granted by the proper authority the license or permit to engage in such practice. SECTION 9. Derivative Citizenship. Children of Recognized Filipinos under this Act, whether legitimate, illegitimate or adopted, may likewise seek recognition as Filipinos.SECTION 10. The Bureau of Immigration, Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Statistics Authority shall immediately promulgate the Implementing Rules and Regulations of this Act. SECTION 10. Separability Clause. If any section or provision of this Act is held pnconstitutional or invalid, any other section or provision not affected thereby shall remain valid and effective SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed and modified accordingly. SECTION 12. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect upon its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation Approved.