GR L 4588; (January, 1953) (Digest)
G.R. No. L-4588; January 28, 1953
In the matter of the petition of MATEO LIM to be admitted a citizen of the Philippines. MATEO LIM, petitioner-appellee, vs. REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, respondent-appellant.
FACTS
Mateo Lim, born in Manila on August 10, 1928 to Chinese parents, filed a petition for naturalization. He completed his elementary, secondary, and college education in various Philippine institutions, graduating from Far Eastern University in 1948, and was a second-year preparatory medicine student at the time of the hearing. He is proficient in English and Tagalog. He is single, lives with his father, and is employed in his father’s business firm with a monthly salary of P80 plus free board and lodging. He also has a savings deposit of P1,002.26. He testified to his belief in Philippine constitutional principles, non-opposition to organized government, rejection of polygamy, absence of incurable diseases or criminal convictions, social mingling with Filipinos, willingness to adopt Filipino customs, and readiness to renounce his Chinese citizenship. The Republic appealed the lower court’s grant of citizenship, contesting only whether Lim had a “known lucrative trade, profession or lawful occupation.”
ISSUE
Whether Mateo Lim has satisfactorily shown that he possesses a known lucrative trade, profession, or lawful occupation as required for naturalization.
RULING
Yes. The Supreme Court affirmed the lower court’s decision granting citizenship. The Court found that Lim’s employment in his father’s importing firm, with a salary of P80 per month plus free board and lodging, constitutes a lawful and lucrative occupation. The Court rejected the Solicitor General’s skepticism regarding the compatibility of his employment with his student status, noting the uncontradicted evidence and the reality of working students. The job, which involved supervising deliveries at the customhouse only when shipments arrived, did not necessarily conflict with his class schedule. Comparing his circumstances to a prior case where citizenship was granted to an applicant with a higher salary but without free board and lodging, the Court concluded that Lim was not likely to become a public charge. Therefore, he met the lucrative occupation requirement. The judgment was affirmed without costs.