Filipino citizenship is a legal status that identifies a person as belonging to the Philippines. It comes with rights, responsibilities, and a sense of identity.
It determines who can fully participate in Philippine society, including voting, owning land, and enjoying the protection of the Philippine government.
This article explains who Filipinos are under the law, how someone becomes a natural-born or naturalized Filipino, what the requirements are for naturalization, and the limitations that naturalized citizens still face.
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Filipinos Are the Citizens of the Philippines
Filipinos are individuals recognized by the Philippines as citizens under its laws. It is defined in the 1987 Constitution so that the government has a clear basis for identifying who belongs to the country.
The principle of jus sanguinis is mainly used, which means “right of blood.” Under this principle, citizenship is based on the citizenship of one’s parents rather than the place of birth (jus solis).
However, the country also allows foreigners to acquire citizenship through naturalization if they meet certain conditions.
Natural-born Filipinos
Natural-born Filipinos are people who are citizens of the Philippines from the moment they are born. They don’t need to perform any act to become Filipino because their citizenship is automatic under the 1987 Constitution.
They are those whose father or mother is a Filipino citizen. It doesn’t matter where the child is born, whether in the Philippines or abroad, as long as at least one parent is legally Filipino at the time of birth.
Many overseas Filipino workers and migrants are considered natural-born Filipinos even if they were raised abroad.
They have special rights that naturalized citizens don’t have. For example, only they can become president, vice president, senator, or congressman.
Naturalized Filipinos
Naturalized Filipinos are foreign nationals who become citizens of the Philippines through a legal process.
They are not Filipino by birth, but they acquire citizenship after meeting certain requirements and going through a formal naturalization procedure.
Naturalization is granted either by court decision, an act of Congress, or administrative naturalization under specific laws.
Once naturalized, a person gains most of the rights of natural-born Filipinos, such as the right to vote, work, and own property.
However, they have certain restrictions. Firstly, they can’t hold high government positions that require natural-born status.
Naturalized Filipinos must also renounce their previous citizenship before becoming Filipino, unlike natural-born citizens who can reacquire their citizenship under the Dual Citizenship Law.
How to Get Filipino Citizenship If Your Parent Is Not a Filipino
If neither of the parents is Filipino, a person must go through the naturalization process if they want to become a Filipino later in life.
Applicants must meet requirements, such as residency, good moral character, language ability, and financial stability.
Foreigners Married to Filipino Citizens May Qualify for Naturalization After 5 Years of Residence
Foreigners married to Filipino citizens may qualify for a shorter residency requirement when applying for naturalization because the law recognizes their close ties to the country through marriage.
The general requirement for naturalization is that the applicant must reside continuously in the Philippines for 10 years.
However, marriage alone doesn’t grant citizenship. Applicants must still meet the legal requirements for naturalization, including demonstrating good moral character, lawful occupation, and integration into Philippine society.
The naturalization process usually involves filing a petition, undergoing interviews and background checks, and attending hearings.
The court or relevant agency must be convinced that the applicant sincerely wants to become Filipino and will respect the country’s laws and traditions.
Live in the Philippines for 10 Years and Apply for Naturalization
Foreigners who are not married to a Filipino can still apply for naturalization, but they must meet the full residency requirement of ten continuous years.
This requirement gives applicants time to establish ties to Philippine society and demonstrate their commitment to the country.
During this period, they are expected to show good moral character, obey local laws, and build strong social or economic connections.
They must also demonstrate knowledge of the English language or a Philippine language, as well as an understanding of Philippine history and citizenship.
Financial stability is another requirement, meaning the applicant must have a lawful occupation, business, or source of income.
After completing the residency requirement, the applicant may file a petition for naturalization, which will then undergo legal review and court proceedings. If approved, they become a naturalized Filipino.
Naturalized Filipinos Can’t Hold Public Offices That Require Natural-born Status
The 1987 Constitution requires that certain high-level government positions be held only by natural-born Filipinos.
These include the president, vice president, senators, members of the House of Representatives, Supreme Court justices, and various other positions specified by the 1987 Constitution or by law.
Naturalized Filipinos may still serve in government, but some offices are reserved for natural-born citizens.
This requirement is generally intended to ensure that holders of high public offices have a clear and unquestioned legal attachment to the Philippines.
Naturalized Filipinos Can’t Have Dual Citizenship
Natural-born Filipinos can have dual citizenship under Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act, which allows them to reacquire Philippine citizenship even after becoming naturalized citizens of another country.
Naturalized Filipinos don’t have the same privilege under this law because it applies specifically to natural-born Filipinos.
In general, foreigners who become Filipino citizens through naturalization are required to renounce their previous citizenship.
And they can’t avail themselves of the dual-citizenship reacquisition process provided by the law if they later acquire another nationality.
