G.R. No. L-21289, 4 October 1971

FACTS:

Lau Yuen Yeung, an alien visiting the Philippines, whose authorized stay in the Philippines was to expire, claims her to be lawfully naturalized upon her marriage to a Filipino citizen. Solicitor General opposes the ground that the marriage of the alien to a Filipino citizen does not automatically confer on the latter Philippine citizenship. Plaintiff-appellant does not possess all the qualifications required for applicant for naturalization (CA 473), even she has proven that she possesses none of the disqualifications in said law.

ISSUE:

Whether or not Lau Yuen Yeung became ipso facto a Filipino citizen upon her marriage to a Filipino citizen.

RULING:

Yes. An alien woman, upon her marriage to a Filipino citizen, becomes lawfully naturalized ipso facto, provided that she does not possess all of the disqualifications enumerated in CA 473. (Sections 15 and 4).

* Case digest by Marife G. Guige, LLB-1, Andres Bonifacio Law School, SY 2017-2018