GR L 24687; (September, 1968) (Digest)
G.R. No. L-24687 September 21, 1968
IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION TO BE ADMITTED A CITIZEN OF THE PHILIPPINES, FONG CHOY, also known as CARLOS YEE, petitioner-appellee, vs. REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, oppositor-appellant.
FACTS
Petitioner-appellee Fong Choy, also known as Carlos Yee, filed a petition for naturalization. During the hearing, he admitted that he had been fined P25.00 for a violation of the Price Tag Law ( Republic Act No. 71 , as amended). He explained that at the time, all articles in his store were properly tagged, but the tag for a certain article fell off, and when an inspector arrived, the tag was not on the article. To avoid further discussion, he paid the fine. The Republic opposed the petition, arguing that this violation showed he had not conducted himself in a proper and irreproachable manner as required by law. The lower court, presided by Judge Francisco Geronimo, rendered a decision on March 24, 1965, finding no impediment to naturalization and granting the petition. The Republic appealed.
ISSUE
Whether the petitioner, having pleaded guilty and been fined for a violation of the Price Tag Law, has successfully shown that he has conducted himself in a proper and irreproachable manner during his residence in the Philippines, as required for naturalization.
RULING
The Supreme Court reversed the decision of the lower court and denied the petition for naturalization. The Court held that the petitioner’s violation of the Price Tag Law rendered his conduct anything but proper and irreproachable, disqualifying him from naturalization. The Court found the lower court’s decision legally erroneous, as it failed to follow the binding precedent set in Tio Tek Chai v. Republic (G.R. No. L-19112, October 30, 1964), which held that a violation of the Price Tag Law demonstrates a lack of proper and irreproachable conduct. The Court also found the petitioner’s explanation for the violation—that the tag fell off—to be lacking in credulity and indicative of an attempt to excuse inexcusable conduct. The Court emphasized the need for rigorous observance of all requisites for citizenship and that the grant of nationality should be reserved for those with exemplary behavior. Costs were imposed against the petitioner.