MANILA – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings resident import Justin Brownlee’s Filipino naturalization now just needs the signature of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to be formalized.
The Senate recently unanimously approved on its third and final reading the bill that grants Philippine citizenship to Brownlee to allow him to suit up for Gilas Pilipinas national men’s basketball team.
With a vote of 21-0-0, the Senate has passed House Bill No. (HBN) 6224 without amendments, and it is now to be transmitted to the Office of the President for Marcos’ signature.
“We would like to express our gratitude to our colleagues here in the Senate and the House of Representatives who gave their full support to the naturalization of Brownlee,” Senator Sonny Angara, also the chairman of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
“After several years of playing as an import in the PBA, Brownlee has now deemed the Philippines as his second home and has demonstrated a strong desire to contribute to the country as a future player of our Gilas Pilipinas squad,” he added.
The House of Representatives had earlier approved a counterpart bill filed by 1Pacman Party list representative and NorthPort Batang Pier owner Mikee Romero last November via a 274-0-1 vote.
President Marcos could either sign Brownlee’s naturalization into law outright or lapse it into law after 30 days from the transmission from the Senate.
Once his naturalization becomes formal, Brownlee will make an oath of allegiance to the Philippines and will then apply for a Philippine passport right after.
Gilas Pilipinas head coach Vincent “Chot” Reyes is eyeing Brownlee for the final window of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers in February 2023 against Lebanon and Jordan at the Philippines Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
Brownlee can also be used as the national men’s basketball team’s naturalized player in other upcoming tournaments such as the Southeast Asian Games and Asian Games./PN
