Citizenship Laws and Important Dates:Before 11 April 1899 (Treaty of Paris), no Citizens of the Philippines (only Spanish subjects);

* December 11, 1898 date of signing of Treaty of Paris.From 11 April 1899 to 01 July 1902 (Phil. Bill of 1902), some judges applied Jus Soli (as it was and still is the one followed in the United States);

On 01 July 1902, the Phil. Bill of 1902 defines Citizens of the Philippines as those who were(1) Spanish subjects (native or otherwise) on 11 April 1899 (including their children born thereafter),

(2) who remain inhabitants of the Philippines, and

(3) did not becomes citizens of another state. [excluding those who declared to remain under Spain];

On August 29, 1916, Jones Law of 1916 reiterated Phil. Bill of 1902;

On March 22, 1920, Act No. 2927 (old Naturalization Law) was enacted;

On May 14, 1935, the 1935 Constitution took effect which provided for jus sanguinis. But only those born of Filipino Father can be Filipinos by birth. Those born of Filipino Mother and alien father had to elect citizenship upon reaching the age of majority (meaning, the child was alien during minority), but decision of courts still applying jus soli in certain cases would have to be respected because of res judicata;

On June 17, 1939, C.A. No. 473 (new Naturalization Law) took effect;

On June 7, 1941, C.A. No. 625 was enacted provided for the manner of electing Phil. Citizenship as required by the 1935 Constitution (sworn statement to be filed with the Civil Registry accompanied by oath allegiance to the Constitution and Government);

1973 Constitution took effect on January 17, 1973 which makes jus sanguinis fully applicable (to either father or mother). It also recognized as natural-born those who elected Phil. Citizenship under the 1935 Constitution;

1987 Constitution took effect on February 2, 1987, adopting the same provisions in the 1973 Constitution;

Republic Act No. 9139 was enacted on June 8, 2001 which provides for Administrative Naturalization in certain cases;

Republic Act No. 9225 (Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003) was enacted on August 29, 2003.