The Senate approved on second reading the bill seeking to grant Philippine citizenship to San Miguel Beermen resident import Bennie Boatwright, bringing the Gilas Pilipinas prospect closer to becoming a naturalized Filipino.
House Bill No. 6639 was tackled during Session No. 68 on Tueday night, where senators revisited the standards and qualifications involved in granting citizenship to foreign athletes.
Acting Majority Floor Leader Joel Villanueva opened the period of interpolation and questioned whether the proposed measure ensured that applicants would genuinely embrace Filipino identity and values beyond basketball.
“Meron po bang parte sa panukalang batas na ito na nagsasabi na hindi lang pwedeng i-take for granted ang citizenship, kundi dapat i-embrace din niya ang character ng pagiging isang Pilipino?” Villanueva asked.
Senator Francis Pangilinan, sponsor of the measure, explained that the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas first evaluates potential candidates before their applications reach Congress.
According to Pangilinan, lawmakers also conducted extensive hearings to determine Boatwright’s intentions, including his willingness to live in the country and integrate into Filipino society.
“There has to be not simply a commitment to play basketball for the country, but also to embrace what it means to be Filipino, and we were convinced,” Pangilinan remarked.
Senator Rodante Marcoleta likewise expressed concern over the issue of allegiance and patriotism among foreign nationals seeking Philippine citizenship.
“Citizenship is one, allegiance is another,” Marcoleta said. “How do we measure the allegiance of a prospective person to acquire citizenship? Is it because we have a chance to win one game or two? That we want to shine in one sport?”
“Yung allegiance po would take the place of patriotism. One who has the ability to do something more for the Philippines. If that citizenship is granted, he should also be prepared for the country. Na-measure po ba natin yun? Parang napakanipis po ng justification?” he added.
Pangilinan responded by saying the Senate carefully studied Boatwright’s background and motivations before endorsing the bill.
“I agree that contributions to a championship team should not be the only basis for citizenship,” Pangilinan said. “So we made sure, through our questions, to determine his willingness to embrace Filipino culture, to settle down in the Philippines, and whether he associated himself with Filipinos and Filipino-Americans while in the US.”
After the interpellation period, Villanueva moved for the approval of the bill on second reading. The proposed measure still needs to pass third and final reading before it can be forwarded to Malacañang for the President’s signature.
The post Bennie Boatwright’s naturalization bid approved on 2nd reading in Senate first appeared on Fastbreak.
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