Re: Application for Admission to the Philippine Bar, Vicente Ching B.M No. 914, October 1, 1999.

Facts: Vicente Ching is born from a Filipino mother and a father of Chinese national on April 11, 1964. He took the
bar exam subject upon submission of proof of his Phil. Citizenship. He passed the bar at the age of 35 years old.
There was a question regarding his citizenship therefore he was not allowed to take oath. The Solicitor General
was asked to give comment on the case at bar.

ISSUE: WON Ching can be admitted to take oath in consideration of the status of his citizenship.

RULING: The court ruled that Ching, being the "legitimate child of a Chinese father and a Filipino mother born
under the 1935 Constitution was a Chinese citizen and continued to be so, unless upon reaching the age of
majority he elected Philippine citizenship" 1 in strict compliance with the provisions of Commonwealth Act No. 625
entitled "An Act Providing for the Manner in which the Option to Elect Philippine Citizenship shall be Declared by a
Person Whose Mother is a Filipino Citizen." He should elect his Phil. Citizenship within a reasonable period of time
upon reaching the age of majority which is 21 years old at that time. With almost 14 years that elapsed upon
reaching his age of majority, Ching failed to exercise such right of citizenship election beyond a reasonable period
of time therefore he cannot be admitted in the Phil. Rolls of atty. for being a Chinese citizen.