G.R. No. L-11152; May 23, 1958
BENITO CO, petitioner-appellant, vs. REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, oppositor-appellee.

FACTS

On August 23, 1955, Benito Co, born in Amoy, China in December 1915, filed an application for naturalization as a Filipino citizen. He arrived in the Philippines in 1926 and had resided continuously in the country, specifically in Manila, for at least one year prior to filing. He is married to Rosario Tan with four children, works as a building contractor with an average annual income of P3,000, pays his taxes, and can read, speak, and write English and Tagalog. He registered as an alien with the Bureau of Immigration. His petition alleged belief in Philippine constitutional principles, proper and irreproachable conduct, social mingling with Filipinos, a desire to embrace Filipino customs, and the absence of any disqualifications under the law. The petition was supported by the joint affidavit and testimony of his character witnesses, Augusto N. Aguilar and Dionisio Coronel, who attested to his good moral character and qualifications. The notice of hearing was duly published. The State, represented by the Solicitor General’s Office, presented no evidence and interposed no opposition. Nevertheless, the trial court denied the petition.

ISSUE

Whether the trial court erred in denying Benito Co’s petition for naturalization despite the evidence presented showing he possesses all qualifications and none of the disqualifications under Commonwealth Act No. 473 (the Revised Naturalization Law).

RULING

Yes. The Supreme Court reversed the trial court’s decision. The Court held that the petitioner-appellant, Benito Co, had proven his eligibility for naturalization. The evidence on record, which remained uncontradicted, sufficiently established that he had all the qualifications under Section 2 and none of the disqualifications under Section 4 of Commonwealth Act No. 473 , as amended. The testimony of his character witnesses, based on personal knowledge and long acquaintance since 1941, was not hearsay, vacillating, incomplete, or unsatisfactory. The Court found that the petitioner’s successful demonstration of his knowledge of English, Tagalog, Philippine history, and political laws, coupled with his sincere desire to become a citizen, met the legal requirements. The fact that he might also be motivated by the economic benefits of naturalization does not disqualify him, as such motivation is common and does not negate legal eligibility. Consequently, Benito Co was declared eligible for naturalization, and his petition was granted, subject to the two-year waiting period before the decision becomes executory.