Practice question
Paolo was natural-born, lost Philippine citizenship through foreign naturalization, and validly reacquired it under Republic Act No. 9225. When he files for mayor, he relies on his citizenship oath and a standard certificate-of-candidacy declaration. He admittedly never executed a personal and sworn renunciation of all foreign citizenship before an officer authorized to administer an oath. He argues that his promise to obey Philippine law is substantial compliance. Assume the other qualifications are met. Which conclusion is best?
- The reacquisition oath automatically satisfies every elective-office condition
- A candidate's popularity substitutes for sworn renunciation
- A standard candidacy declaration always erases the additional statutory requirement
- His citizenship must necessarily remain foreign only
- He has not complied with the separate renunciation condition for seeking elective office
Legal references
- Republic Act No. 9225, Sections 3 to 5: https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2003/ra_9225_2003.html
- Jacot v. Dal, G.R. No. 179848, November 27, 2008, main decision: https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/1/48021
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