Philippine Citizenship and the Marginalized

• Citizenship and Major Issues Affecting the Poor and Marginalized in the Philippines

Bases of Filipino Citizenship

• Citizenship is the legal bond between a person and a state, granting rights and responsibilities.
• Basis of Philippine citizenship is in Article IV, Section 1 of the Philippine Constitution of 1987.
• Filipino citizens include those who were citizens during the adoption of the 1987 Constitution.
• Also Filipino citizens are those with Filipino parents.
• Those born before January 17, 1973, to Filipino mothers who chose Philippine citizenship upon reaching the age of majority.
• People naturalized in accordance with Philippine law also are Filipino citizens.

Acquiring Philippine Citizenship

• Citizenship is acquired in two main ways.
• The Philippines follows jus sanguinis (right of blood).
• Jus sanguinis means a person is a citizen if at least one parent is Filipino, regardless of birth place.
• Being born on Philippine soil (jus soli) does not automatically confer citizenship.
• Naturalization allows a foreigner to become a Philippine citizen.
• Naturalization requires residency, good moral character, and knowledge of Philippine history and government.
• Commonwealth Act No. 473 (Revised Naturalization Law) outlines the naturalization process.
• Republic Act No. 9225 (Dual Citizenship Law) allows former Filipinos who became foreign citizens to retain or regain Philippine citizenship.

Loss of Philippine Citizenship

• Commonwealth Act No. 63, dated October 20, 1936, specifies how citizenship can be lost.
• Citizenship can be lost through naturalization in a foreign country.
• Citizenship can be lost through express renunciation.
• Citizenship can be lost by serving in a foreign armed forces under certain conditions.
• Also citizenship can be lost by committing acts of treason.
• Filipinos who lost citizenship through foreign naturalization may regain it.
• Republic Act No. 9225 (Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition Act of 2003) helps Filipinos regain lost citizenship.
• Those who reacquire citizenship fully enjoy civil and political rights, like voting and owning property.

Major Issues Affecting the Poor and Marginalized in the Philippines

• Poor and marginalized face social, economic, and human rights challenges.
• The Philippines has a high poverty rate, with millions below the poverty line.
• Key causes of poverty include unemployment, low wages, education, and poor access to healthcare and social services.
• The COVID-19 pandemic and inflation worsened poverty.
• Indigenous peoples (IPs) face land dispossession, displacement, and lack of recognition of ancestral domains.
• The Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (IPRA) of 1997 aims to protect IPs rights, but implementation remains weak.
• IPs face discrimination, lack of education, and militarization in their communities.
• Informal settlers in urban areas face frequent demolitions without adequate relocation.
• Government resettlement programs may relocate people far from jobs and services.
• Rising real estate prices hinder homeownership for low-income families.
• Gender-based violence is a major problem with cases of domestic abuse, sexual harassment, and trafficking.
• The Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act (RA 9262) exists, but enforcement is inconsistent.
• Cultural and economic barriers prevent women from seeking justice.
• The Philippines has high rates of child abuse, child labor, and human trafficking.
• Many street children are vulnerable to exploitation, including forced labor and sexual abuse.
• The Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act (RA 9344) protects children in conflict with the law, but debates are happening about lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility.
• Extrajudicial killings, especially during anti-drug operations, draw national and international criticism.
• Many victims are from poor communities, raising concerns about human rights violations and lack of due process.
• Human rights groups call for investigations and accountability for law enforcement.
• Understanding Filipino citizenship is crucial for addressing the rights and responsibilities.
• Overcoming challenges requires government policies, grassroots advocacy, and human rights protections.

An overview of Philippine citizenship as defined by the 1987 Constitution. It covers who is considered a citizen at the time of adoption. Furthermore, it explains how citizenship is acquired through jus sanguinis and naturalization.