[ G. R. No. L-20373, December 24, 1965 ]
IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION TO BE ADMITTED A CITIZEN OF THE PHILIPPINES. WONG KIM GOON, PETITIONER AND APPELLEE VS. REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, OPPOSITOR AND APPELLANT.
D E C I S I O N
BENGZON, J.P., J.:
The record shows that Wong Kim Goon, a citizen of the Republic of China, was born in Canton, China, on November 20, 1906. After arriving in the Philippines on May 29, 1918, he stayed in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya. It was there that he studied, up to Grade VII, and it is there that he has been residing up to now.
Wong Kim Goon is married. As of the time he applied for naturalization, on February 26, 1960, he had six children. An owner of two stores, he derives an average annual income, according to his income tax returns from 1956 to 1960, of P6,000. A lesser amount is even stated in his petition, namely, P4,000 per annum.
It is evident, therefore, that petitioner's application cannot prosper. In Keng Giok vs. Republic, P13347, August 31, 1961, this Court ruled that for a petitioner who has five children and a wife to support, an annual income of P8,687.50 is not lucrative. And in Tan vs. Republic, L-16013, March 13, 1963, an income of P6,300 per year was held not lucrative for a married applicant who had one child. Petitioner, as stated, is married and has six children. Five of them are still dependent on him for support (one is already married). Clearly, he fails to meet the requirement of a lucrative trade, profession or occupation (Sec. 2, Par. 4, Com. Act 473). Such being the case, we find it unnecessary to pass upon the other points raised by appellant.
Wherefore, the judgment appealed from is reversed and the petition for naturalization hereby denied, without costs.
So ordered.
Bengzon, C. J., Bautista Angelo, Concepcion, Reyes, J. B. L., Dizon, Regala, Makalintal and Zaldivar, JJ., concur.
Judgment reversed.