Facts.

Petitioner Gerardo Angat was a natural born Filipino citizen until he lost his citizenship by
naturalization in America. On March 1996, he filed petition to regain Filipino citizenship under
Commonwealth Act. No 63, Republic Act No. 965 and Republic Act No. 2630. He stated the
following in this petition: (1) that he returned in the Philippines in 1991 and now resides in #69
New York Street, Provident village, Marikina. (2) He has conducted himself in a proper and
reproachable manner during his entire period of residence in the Philippines and (3) that he
intends to reacquire Philippine citizenship and renounce allegiance to the United States of
America.

April 1996, trial court issued notice settling case for initial hearing, same is received by the
Office of the Solicitor General (OSG)

In an order dated July 1996, trial court denied petitioner’s oath to take allegiance to the
Republic of the Philippines pursuant to R.A 8171. Petitioner filed a motion to reconsider.

In another order dated September 1996, the court found petition to reconsider meritorious
stating petitioner is entitled to benefits of R.A 8171. Petitioner allowed to take oath of
allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines on October 1996. (Order July 1996 set aside)

March 1997, OSG filed a Manifestation and Motion saying petition should have been dismissed
by court due to lack of jurisdiction, proper forum was the Special Committee on Naturalization
under Administrative Order No. 285 by President Fidel V. Ramos.

In September 1997, OSG motion granted. September and October 1996 orders set aside.
Petitioner filed motion for reconsideration asserting that his petition was filed before the
Special Committee on Naturalization was constituted.

Motion was denied by RTC. An appeal by certriorari was filed saying RTC erred in dismissing
petition by giving retroactive effect to A.O. no. 285, when a provision on retroactive application
was not provided.

Issue.Whether RTC’s decision to set aside October 1996 order should be reconsidered.

Ruling. No. The special Committee on Naturalization was created pursuant to Letter of
Instruction No. 270, as amended by LOI No. 283 and LOI No. 491