G.R. No. L-12791; February 23, 1960
RAMON L. CHENG, petitioner-appellee, vs. REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, oppositor-appellant.

FACTS

Petitioner Ramon L. Cheng, born in Cavite City on September 14, 1934, of Chinese parentage, filed an application for naturalization on August 6, 1955. The Provincial Fiscal filed a written opposition, alleging Cheng lacked the necessary qualifications under Commonwealth Act No. 473 , as amended; that his petition was motivated by economic convenience; and that he had not mingled socially with Filipinos or sincerely desired to learn Filipino customs and traditions. After a hearing where both parties presented evidence, the Court of First Instance of Cavite granted the petition in a decision dated March 29, 1957. The Republic appealed.
The trial court’s findings, affirmed by the Supreme Court, established that Cheng was single, over 21, and exempt from filing a declaration of intention because he received his primary and secondary education in government-recognized private schools not limited to any race or nationality and had never left the Philippines. He worked as an assistant manager at Central Grocery with a monthly salary of P250.00, constituting a lucrative trade. Two witnesses, ex-Governor Ramon Samonte and ex-Councilor Jose Auditor, testified to his good moral character, irreproachable conduct, and attachment to Philippine constitutional principles. The court found Cheng proficient in English and Tagalog, well-informed on Philippine social life, and that he had mingled socially with Filipinos and embraced their customs and traditions. He testified he was not opposed to organized government, did not believe in polygamy, had no criminal convictions involving moral turpitude, and was a follower of Nationalist China, which is not at war with the Philippines and whose laws permit Filipinos to be naturalized there.
The Government’s appeal raised minor points: a discrepancy in Cheng’s surname (Ching vs. Cheng), which was corrected by court order; doubts about his salary and position, which were corroborated by the Government’s own witness, a labor attorney; and an allegation that he misrepresented himself as a “Filipino” on a 1955 residence certificate. The trial court found this was a clerk’s error, as Cheng’s other residence certificates correctly stated his citizenship as Chinese, and he had corrected the error in subsequent years.

ISSUE

Whether the petitioner, Ramon L. Cheng, possesses all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications for naturalization as a Filipino citizen under Commonwealth Act No. 473 , as amended.

RULING

Yes. The Supreme Court affirmed the trial court’s decision granting Cheng’s petition for naturalization. The Court held that the trial court’s findings were amply supported by the evidence. Cheng met all legal requirements: he was born in the Philippines, of legal age, with a lucrative occupation, of good moral character, and had conducted himself properly. He was exempt from filing a declaration of intention due to his educational background and continuous residence. He demonstrated proficiency in English and Tagalog, mingled socially with Filipinos, and sincerely embraced Filipino customs, traditions, and ideals. The issues raised by the Government on appeal were either minor, sufficiently explained, or not supported by evidence. Therefore, Cheng was entitled to become a Filipino citizen. The appealed decision was affirmed, with no costs.