G.R. No. L-20714 November 24, 1966
IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR ADMISSION TO PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP. HUI ENG, petitioner and appellee, vs. REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, oppositor and appellant.

FACTS

This is an appeal by the Solicitor General from a decision of the Court of First Instance of Misamis Occidental granting the petition of Hui Eng for naturalization as a citizen of the Philippines.

ISSUE

Whether Hui Eng possesses the qualifications for naturalization, specifically: (1) having a lucrative trade or occupation, and (2) evincing a sincere desire to embrace Philippine customs and traditions and to mingle and be assimilated with Filipinos.

RULING

The Supreme Court reversed the lower court’s decision and dismissed Hui Eng’s petition for naturalization.
1. On the requirement of a lucrative trade: The Court found that Hui Eng did not have a lucrative trade. His average annual income of P6,000 was deemed not lucrative for a married man with five children, four of whom were of school age, considering the prevailing high cost of living. The Court noted that two of his children were of high school age, making the income insufficient.
2. On the requirement of embracing customs and traditions: The Court found that Hui Eng failed to show a sincere desire to embrace Philippine customs and traditions and to mingle with Filipinos. This was evidenced by his act of sending his school-age children to Chinese schools (Chiang Kai Shek High School in Manila and Misamis Chinese High School in Ozamis City), which indicated a lack of intent for social assimilation.