IT SAYS HERE: Diego Cagahastian from Opinyon
It Says Here

Brownlee does a Nathanielsz

Nov 21, 2022, 12:17 AM
Diego S. Cagahastian

Diego S. Cagahastian

Columnist

JUSTIN Donta Brownlee is an American professional basketball player for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

If plans do not miscarry Brownlee will shed his US citizenship and become a Filipino.

This reminds me of another personality in local basketball (boxing, too) -- a Sri Lankan who was given Filipino citizenship by President Ferdinand Marcos in 1973. He was Ronnie Nathanielsz, 81, sports journalist par excellence, who died in 2016 while about to cover a Manny Pacquiao fight.

Last Thursday, November 17, the referral of Senate Bill No. 1336 entitled An Act Granting Philippine Citizenship to Justin Brownlee was transferred to the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights. Under the Rules of the Senate, the said Committee shall have jurisdiction on matters relating to, among others, immigration and naturalization.

Senator Francis Tolentino, committee chairman, issued a notice of public hearing on the same date to discuss Brownlee’s naturalization. The first public hearing is set today, Monday, November 21.

It may be recalled that during the Senate deliberations on the proposed budget of the Philippine Sports Commission, Tolentino urged Brownlee and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) to give priority to the completion of Brownlee’s naturalization application in order for the hearings for the basketball player’s naturalization bill to commence immediately.

These naturalization efforts are in recognition of the potential of the 6-foot-6 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) swingman to become part of the country’s Gilas Pilipinas national basketball team in the ongoing International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Basketball World Cup.

Under the FIBA eligibility rules, any player who seeks to represent a country must hold the legal nationality of the country.

Last Nov. 16, the House Committee on Justice passed on first reading House Bill No. 825 – the bill granting Philippine citizenship to Brownlee. The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel PBA player made a personal appearance in a barong, stated his intention and desire to become a Filipino citizen, and consequently help the Philippines national team bid in the FIBA.

If granted, Brownlee’s naturalization is said to be the fourth naturalization given through legislative fiat.

“Brownlee is an exceptional player in the PBA, with an average of 29.29 points per game, 10.57 rebounds per game, and 7.43 assists per game. He has lived in the Philippines for over five years. His discipline and athleticism serve as an inspiration to the Filipinos. It would arouse further patriotism and Pinoy pride in each and every one of us, especially in a sport very popular in the country,” said Chairman Tolentino.


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