BOARD OF COMMISSIONER VS DELA ROSA

Facts: On July 12, 1960, Santiago Gatchalian, grandfather of William Gatchalian, was
recognized by the Bureau of Immigration as a native born Filipino citizen following the
citizenship of natural mother Mariana Gatchalian. On June 27, 1961, Willian, then twelve
years old, arrives in Manila from Hongkong together with a daughter and a son of Santiago.
They had with them certificate of registration and identity issued by the Philippine consulate
in Hongkong based on a cablegram bearing the signature of the secretary of foreign affairs,
Felixberto Serrano, and sought admission as Filipino citizens.

On July 6, 1961, the board of special inquiry admitted the Gatchalians as Filipino citizens and
issued an identification certificate to William. The boarf of commissioners waws directed by
the Secretary of Justice to Review all cases where entry was allowed on the ground that the
entrant was a Filipino citizen such included the case of William. As a result of the decision of
the board of special inquiry which recommended for the reversal of the decision of the Board
of Commissioners. Acting commissioner issued an order affirming the decision of the Board
of Special Inquiry.
On August 15, 1990, the Commission on Immigration and Deportatiion ordered the arrest of
William and was released upon posting P 200,000 cash bond. Thus on the 29 thof the same
month, he filed a petition for certiorari and prohibition before the RTC of Manila. A motion to
dismiss was filed but denied.

Issue:
Whether or not William Gatchalian is to be declared as a Filipino citizen

Held:
William Gatchalian is declared as a Filipino Citizen. Having declared the assailed marriage as
valid, respondent William Gatchalian follows the citizenship of his father, a Filipino as
legitimate child. Respondent belongs to a class of Filipinos who are citizens of the Philippines
at the time of the adoption of the constitution.