WHEREAS, Republic Act (RA) No. 9225, otherwise known as the "Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition Act of 2003", took effect on September 17, 2003;

WHEREAS, Section 2 of R.A. No. 9225 declares that natural born citizens of the Philippines who become citizens of another country shall be deemed not to have lost their Philippine citizenship under the conditions provided therein;

WHEREAS, R.A. No. 9225 is silent on the agency, body or committee to implement its provisions;

WHEREAS, under the pertinent provisions of the Administrative Code of 1987 (E.O. No. 292), the Bureau of Immigration is principally responsible for the administration and enforcement of immigration, citizenship, alien admission and registration laws;

WHEREAS, in the light of the current development, there is now an urgent need for a body to oversee the smooth and effective implementation of R.A. No. 9225;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. Implementing Agency - The Bureau of Immigration, in consultation with the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Justice and Office of the Civil Registrar-General, National Statistics Office, is hereby designated as the implementing agency of R.A. No. 9225.

SECTION 2. Functions - The Bureau of Immigration, shall:

1. Promulgate and issue rules and regulations implementing the provisions of the Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition Act of 2003;
   
   
2. Prescribe appropriate forms and documentary requirements as well as required fees for the processing of applications for retention and re-acquisition of Philippine citizenship under the law;
   
   
3. Act as repository of Certificates of Oath of Allegiance, Applications for Retention or Reacquisition of Philippine citizenship, supporting documents and other pertinent documents in pursuance with the requirements for the law and its implementing rules and regulations;
   
   
4. Conduct regular and special meetings with concerned government agencies as may be required for the purpose of monitoring the implementation of the law; and
   
   
5. Perform such other functions and responsibilities as may be directed by the President.

SECTION 3. Procedure - Any person desirous of retaining or reacquiring Filipino citizenship pursuant to R.A. No. 9225 shall file his/her application with the Bureau of Immigration if he/she is in the Philippines or the Philippine Foreign Service Posts if he/she is abroad.  If his/her application is approved he/she shall take his/her oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines, after which he/she shall deemed to have re-acquired or retained Philippine citizenship.

SECTION 4. Funding - The amount of TWO MILLION (2,000,000.00) PESOS is hereby allotted for the implementation of R.A. No. 9225 to be taken from the unappropriated funds of the Office of the President.  Thereafter, such amount shall be included in the annual budget of the Bureau of Immigration.

SECTION 5. Effectivity - This Administrative Order shall take effect immediately upon approval.

Adopted: 12 Jan. 2004


By the President:

(SGD.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO
Executive Secretary