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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider SC approves rule to simplify, expedite process in naturalization of refugees, stateless persons

SC approves rule to simplify, expedite process in naturalization of refugees, stateless persons

Published Feb 16, 2022 03:20 pm

Supreme Court (SC)

The Supreme Court (SC) has approved the rule that would simplify, reduce legal and procedural hurdles, and facilitate the naturalization as Filipino citizens of refugees and stateless persons.

The rule was issued by the SC in line with its rule-making power under the Constitution and approved during its face-to-face full court session last Feb. 15.

The statement issued by the SC’s public information office (PIO) said that the rule “governs the procedure for the filing of petitions for naturalization by refugees and stateless persons recognized by the Philippine Government.”

The rule now allows electronic publication of the petition filed by refugees and stateless persons.

Section 12 of the rule states: “If the court is satisfied that the petition is sufficient in form and substance, it shall direct the clerk of court to cause the publication of the petition, excluding its annexes, for three (3) consecutive weeks in the Official Gazette or its website and in one (1) newspaper of general circulation or its website in the place where the petitioner resides, or the official website of the Supreme Court.”

The SC said the petition by publication “is with due regard to the special and vulnerable circumstances of refugees and stateless persons, such that the alternative modes of publication would reduce the necessary fees and be less burdensome for them.”

Also, the SC said “the provision on electronic publication is a step towards the goal of the Supreme Court to have a technology-driven Judiciary that is capable of providing equal access to justice in real time.”

Also, the rule allows an unaccompanied child to file a petition for naturalization.

“A petition, in behalf of the unaccompanied child or a joint petition involving related unaccompanied children, may be filed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the appropriate Local Social Welfare and Development Office (LSWDO) where the unaccompanied child resides, or the child-caring agency having care and custody of the child,” the rule states.

The SC explained that “this is in accordance with the Philippines’ obligation under international instruments to ensure the right of a child to acquire a nationality, with the courts guided by the ‘best interests of the child’ principle.”

The rule will be effective and will be enforced 15 days after its publication in two newspapers of general circulation.

The SC said the issuance the rule is the Philippines recognition of its commitments under international law, particularly the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, the 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees, the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.

It also said “the approval of the Rule is the Judiciary’s contribution to the fulfillment of the Philippines’ pledges during the Global Refugee Forum and High-Level Segment on Statelessness to enhance the policy, legal, and operational framework for refugees and stateless persons to

ensure their full access to rights as guaranteed by the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol and the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, including their facilitated naturalization and other rights as may be provided by national laws.”

“It also puts into fruition the goal of the Judiciary to ‘provide affordable and effective means of attaining justice’ by ‘introduc judicial reforms or streamlin court rules to ensure an efficient, fair, and speedy delivery of justice for cases of ’ pursuant to the 2017 Inter-Agency Agreement on the Protection of Asylum Seekers, Refugees, and Stateless Persons in the Philippines, among other frameworks,” the SC said.

“With the Philippines being the first country in Southeast Asia to accede to the 1954 and 1961 Conventions, the Rule is the only Judiciary-led initiative of its kind at the global level that facilitates the naturalization procedure for refugees and stateless persons,” it added.

The PIO said a copy of the rule will be uploaded in the SC’s website – sc.judiciary.gov.ph.

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