4/14/2021
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application was granted and Lao Kian Ben was conferred with Philippine citizenship
under Presidential Decree No. 923.[8] He took his Oath of Allegiance[9] to the Republic
of the Philippines on June 15, 1976 and was issued his Certificate of Naturalization[10]
on the same day.
Chia Kong Liong, being the wife of Lao Kian Ben, was likewise conferred with Philippine
citizenship pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 923.[11] She was issued a Certificate of
Naturalization[12] on January 24, 1979 and, on the same day, took the Oath of
Allegiance[13] to the Republic of the Philippines.
Meanwhile, Jon Nicholas, Winston Brian, and Christopher Troy—all born and raised in
the Philippines—studied in Philippine schools. Jon Nicholas went to Xavier School for his
elementary and high school education, and attended the University of Santo Tomas for
college.[14] Similarly, both Winston Brian and Christopher Troy attended Xavier
School[15], as well as the Jubilee Christian Academy[16] for their grade school
education, and attended the Philippine Institute of Quezon City for secondary school.
[17]
For college, Winston Brian studied at the Philippine School of Business Administration,
[18] while Christopher Troy studied at the University of Santo Tomas.[19] Jon Nicholas,
Winston Brian, and Christopher Troy all married Filipino citizens[20] and raised their
children here in the Philippines.[21]
Winston Brian and Christopher Troy then filed a Petition; later, an Amended Petition,[22]
for correction of entry in their respective Certificates of Live Birth before the Regional
Trial Court of Manila (Manila trial court). They contended that the nationality of their
parents, Lao Kian Ben and Chia Kong Liong, should be changed from "Chinese" to
"Filipino," considering that they had already been naturalized as Filipino citizens
pursuant to Philippine laws.
In an Order dated October 29, 2010, the Manila trial court set the Amended Petition for
hearing and ordered the publication of the October 29, 2010 Order in a newspaper of
general circulation once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks. The Local Civil
Registrar of Manila, through the Office of the Solicitor General, and all other persons
having or claiming interest under the entry sought to be corrected were ordered to file
their opposition within fifteen (15) days from notice of the Amended Petition or from
the last date of publication of the October 29, 2010 Order. Lastly, the Manila trial court
directed that the Office of the Solicitor General and the Office of the Local Civil
Registrar of Manila be furnished a copy of the Amended Petition and its annexes.[23]
In a Notice of Appearance dated November 30, 2010, the Solicitor General authorized
the Office of the City Prosecutor of Manila to appear on his behalf.[24] Petitioners
Winston Brian, Christopher Troy, and Public Prosecutor Anabel D. Magabilin attended
the initial hearing, with petitioners presenting proof of compliance with the
jurisdictional requirements under Rule 108 of the Rules of Court.[25] Specifically, the
October 29, 2010 Order was published once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in
"METRO FOCUS WEEKLY JOURNAL," a weekly newspaper of general circulation.[26]
https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocsfriendly/1/66236
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