Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 16) — The Supreme Court on Wednesday announced it has approved a rule that would make it easier for refugees and stateless persons recognized by the national government to become Filipino citizens.
The high court said it approved the “Rule on Facilitated Naturalization of Refugees and Stateless Persons” during its en banc deliberation on Tuesday, as recognition of the country’s commitments under international law.
“The Rule, which takes effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation, aims to simplify and reduce legal and procedural hurdles in obtaining Philippine citizenship to facilitate the assimilation and naturalization of refugees and stateless persons into Philippine society,” the Supreme Court said in a statement.
Among its salient features, the new directive allows for the electronic publication of petitions for naturalization.
This alternative mode is seen to help cut necessary fees and “be less burdensome” for displaced people who are already in “special and vulnerable circumstances.”
Currently, the clerk of court publishes petitions, at the petitioners’ expense, once a week for three consecutive weeks in the Official Gazette and in one newspaper of general circulation where the petitioner resides.
The new rule states that the petition can instead be published in the official website of the Official Gazette and of the newspaper, or in the website of the Supreme Court.
“Additionally, the provision on electronic publication is a step towards the goal of the Supreme Court to have a technology-driven Judiciary that is capable of providing equal access to justice in real time,” the court said.
The new set of guidelines also authorizes the State to file a petition for naturalization on behalf of unaccompanied children in order to ensure their right to acquire a nationality.
This may be filed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the appropriate Local Social Welfare and Development Office where the child resides, or the child-caring agency that has custody over the minor.
According to the Supreme Court, the rule is the “only Judiciary-led initiative of its kind at the global level that facilitates the naturalization procedure for refugees and stateless persons.”
It added that these changes are in line with their goal of introducing judicial reforms or streamlining court rules “to provide affordable and effective means of attaining justice.”
