Article IV — Citizenship
Who is a Filipino Citizen? Article IV of the Constitution Explained
Born in the US to Filipino parents? Became a US citizen but want to vote in Philippine elections? Married a foreigner and wondering if you're still Filipino? Article IV answers all of this.
Five sections. Clear rules. Article IV defines Filipino citizenship from birth to naturalization, and sets the framework for RA 9225 — the law that lets OFWs reclaim their Filipino citizenship after naturalizing abroad.
What This Article Covers: Who qualifies as a Filipino citizen by birth, what 'natural-born' means, how citizenship can be lost or reacquired (RA 9225), marriage to foreigners, and the dual allegiance policy.
All 5 sections at a glance
Who is a Filipino citizen
Official constitutional text
The following are citizens of the Philippines:
(1) Those who are citizens of the Philippines at the time of the adoption of this Constitution;
(2) Those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the Philippines;
(3) Those born before January 17, 1973, of Filipino mothers, who elect Philippine citizenship upon reaching the age of majority; and
(4) Those who are naturalized in accordance with law.
ELI5— what this means for you
You are a Filipino citizen if: (1) you were born to a Filipino father or mother, (2) you were born before January 17, 1973 to a Filipino mother and you elected Philippine citizenship when you turned of age, (3) you are a naturalized Filipino, or (4) you were born in the Philippines on or before the day the 1935 Constitution took effect and were citizens under that constitution.
Natural-born citizens
Official constitutional text
Natural-born citizens are those who are citizens of the Philippines from birth without having to perform any act to acquire or perfect their Philippine citizenship. Those who elect Philippine citizenship in accordance with paragraph (3), Section 1 hereof shall be deemed natural-born citizens.
ELI5— what this means for you
A 'natural-born citizen' is someone who is a Filipino from birth — without needing any act to acquire citizenship. This matters because only natural-born citizens can be President, Vice President, Senator, member of the House of Representatives (for the top positions), and Supreme Court Justice.
Losing citizenship
Official constitutional text
Philippine citizenship may be lost or reacquired in the manner provided by law.
ELI5— what this means for you
You can lose Filipino citizenship by naturalizing in a foreign country, expressly renouncing it, or if you are a service member of a foreign army that is at war with the Philippines. Loss of citizenship is not automatic just because you live abroad.
Dual citizenship
Official constitutional text
Citizens of the Philippines who marry aliens shall retain their citizenship, unless by their act or omission, they are deemed, under the law, to have renounced it.
ELI5— what this means for you
Filipino citizenship is not automatically lost by acquiring foreign citizenship. RA 9225 (Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003) allows natural-born Filipinos who became foreign nationals to re-acquire Filipino citizenship — and enjoy most rights except political office eligibility restrictions.
Married women
Official constitutional text
Dual allegiance of citizens is inimical to the national interest and shall be dealt with by law.
ELI5— what this means for you
A Filipino woman who marries a foreign national does not automatically lose her Filipino citizenship. She has the option to retain it. And a foreign woman who marries a Filipino can acquire Philippine citizenship in the manner provided by law.
Why “natural-born” matters
The Constitution restricts certain key positions to natural-born citizens. If you are naturalized (not natural-born), you cannot hold these offices:
President and Vice President
Article VII, Sec. 2
Senator
Article VI, Sec. 3
Member of the House of Representatives
Article VI, Sec. 6
Supreme Court Justice and all lower collegiate court justices
Article VIII, Sec. 7
Members of COMELEC, COA, and CSC
Article IX, various sections
Ombudsman and Deputies
Article XI, Sec. 8
Mandatory section
For OFWs / Para sa OFW
OFWs who naturalized abroad are NOT permanently stripped of Filipino citizenship. RA 9225 lets you reclaim it — and with it, most of your rights as a Filipino.
- Under RA 9225, natural-born Filipinos who became naturalized citizens of another country can re-acquire or retain Philippine citizenship by taking an oath of allegiance at the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate.
- Re-acquired Filipino citizens can: own land and property in the Philippines, invest in businesses, access Philippine hospitals and government services, and vote in elections.
- OFW children born abroad are Filipino citizens from birth — as long as at least one parent is Filipino. Register the birth with your nearest Philippine Consulate.
- Dual citizens must renounce foreign citizenship before running for President, Vice President, Senator, or other offices requiring natural-born Filipino status.
- Contact DFA at dfa.gov.ph or your nearest Philippine Embassy for the RA 9225 re-acquisition process.
Real Filipino scenario
Jojo, 42, nurse
Jojo has been working in Canada for 15 years and became a Canadian citizen. He wants to retire in Dumaguete and buy land there, but he's been told he can no longer own property in the Philippines because he gave up his Filipino citizenship.
What Jojo should do
- Visit the Philippine Consulate in Toronto (toronto.pcg.gov.ph)
- Bring: valid foreign passport, birth certificate, proof of Filipino origin
- File application for re-acquisition of citizenship under RA 9225
- Take the oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines
- After re-acquisition, apply for a Philippine passport at the consulate
- Once back in the Philippines, register with Bureau of Immigration if needed
What most Filipinos get wrong about this
MythOFWs who get foreign citizenship lose their Filipino citizenship automatically.
Truth: Under RA 9225, natural-born Filipinos who become naturalized foreign citizens can re-acquire or retain their Philippine citizenship by taking an oath before a Philippine consulate. Their Filipino citizenship is not permanently lost.
MythIf you were born abroad to Filipino parents, you are not Filipino.
Truth: Section 1 is clear: children born to a Filipino father or mother are Filipino citizens by birth, regardless of where they were born. A child born to OFW parents in Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, or the US is Filipino from birth.
MythDual citizens can run for President.
Truth: To run for President, Vice President, or Senator, you must be a natural-born Filipino and must renounce any foreign citizenship. Dual citizenship is permitted for most purposes, but not for these high elective offices.
MythNaturalized citizens have exactly the same rights as natural-born citizens.
Truth: Most rights are the same, but natural-born citizenship is required for certain positions (President, VP, Senators, certain constitutional offices, SC justices). Naturalized citizens cannot hold those positions.
What to do about citizenship matters
Re-acquire Filipino citizenship under RA 9225
If you are a natural-born Filipino who naturalized abroad, visit the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate to file for re-acquisition of citizenship. There is a processing fee and an oath-taking ceremony.
Report your child's birth to the Philippine Consulate
Children born abroad to Filipino parents must be reported to the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate for their birth to be registered in Philippine civil records. This ensures their Filipino citizenship is documented.
Get a Philippine passport if you are a dual citizen
Dual Filipino citizens should maintain their Philippine passport. It allows them to enter the Philippines as citizens (not as tourists), own land, vote, and exercise other citizenship rights.
For citizenship disputes — contact the Bureau of Immigration
The Bureau of Immigration (bi.gov.ph) handles citizenship documentation issues. For complex cases involving loss of citizenship or naturalization, consult a lawyer or the OSG (Office of the Solicitor General).
Frequently asked questions
Is my child a Filipino citizen if born in the US to Filipino parents?
Yes. Under Section 1, any person born to a Filipino father or mother is a natural-born Filipino citizen — regardless of where they were born. You should register the birth at the nearest Philippine Consulate to document their citizenship in Philippine records.
Can I still vote in Philippine elections if I became an American citizen?
Yes — if you re-acquired your Filipino citizenship under RA 9225 by taking the oath of allegiance. Dual citizens who have re-acquired Filipino citizenship may register and vote as absentee voters under RA 9189 (Overseas Absentee Voting Act).
What does 'natural-born citizen' mean and why does it matter?
A natural-born citizen is someone who is Filipino from birth — no act was required to acquire citizenship. It matters because the Constitution requires natural-born status for President, Vice President, Senators, Members of the House of Representatives (full-term), members of the Supreme Court, and certain constitutional commission members.
Does a Filipina automatically become a citizen of her foreign husband's country?
Not under Philippine law. Section 4 protects Filipino women from automatic loss of citizenship upon marriage to a foreigner. Whether she acquires foreign citizenship depends on the laws of her husband's country — not Philippine law.
Can a foreigner become a Filipino citizen?
Yes, through naturalization — a legal process governed by Commonwealth Act 473 and related laws. Requirements include residence, good moral character, ability to speak Filipino or English, and renouncing foreign citizenship. The naturalization process takes years and involves court proceedings.
Sources
About the author
Written by Irvin Abarca with research support from Claude AI. Irvin is the founder of BatasKo, based in Dumaguete City.
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