By REYNALD MAGALLON
Justin Brownlee’s bid to become a Filipino and play for the national team took a huge step forward on Wednesday, Nov. 16 after the House Committee on Justice gave its approval in its first reading of the House Bill No. 825.
The bill – otherwise known as “An Act Granting Philippine Citizenship to Mr. Justin Donta Brownlee – was sponsored by Rep. Mikee Romero of 1Pacman Partylist.
Romero was the “godfather” of the PH men’s basketball team that won the SEA Games gold in 2007 in Thailand
In proving his sincerity, the resident Ginebra import appeared in the hearing on a Barong Tagalog and was accompanied by Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Executive Director Sonny Barrios.
Committee chairwoman Negros Occidental 4th District Rep. Juliet Marie de Leon Ferrer granted the request of Romero, knowing full well that Brownlee will play a vital role for Gilas.
Several government agencies invited in the hearing such as the Department of Justice, Department of Foreign Affairs and Bureau of Immigration made no objection to Brownlee’s naturalization as the entire hearing only lasted about 30 minutes.
The bill will then be passed to the Committee on Rules and House of Approval for the second and third reading within one to two weeks before it gets forwarded to the Senate Committee on Justice.
“It just seems it would be great to be part of the country and just keep helping out to be part of the national team. Hopefully I can just be an inspiration to people and kids and help better the basketball here and to just do whatever I can to be a good citizen,” said Brownlee during the hearing.
In his sponsorship speech, Romero highlighted Brownlee’s decorated career in the PBA where he has won five championships and two Best Import Awards while also noting the Ginebra import’s desire to make the country his permanent home and represent the Philippines in the international competition.
“Truthfully, Mr. Brownlee has brought enormous pride and joy to all of Filipino basketball fans through his hardwork in the PBA. On his part and since 2018, Mr. Brownlee has been consistent with his desire to make our country his permanent home and is very much willing and able to represent the Philippines in the international basketball scene as a member of Gilas Pilipinas Men’s Basketball team,” said Romero.
“We have the distinct opportunity of providing our Gilas Pilipinas Men’s Basketball team with a truly dependable ally in its quest to proudly represent our country in the upcoming February 2023 sixth and final window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers which will be hosted by the Philippines, and the FIBA World Cup 2023, in the person of Mr. Justin Donta Brownlee. For these reasons, I implore the aid of my distinguished colleagues for the swift passage of this measure. Thank you,” concluded Romero in his speech.
Brownlee’s naturalization papers hope to get the approval from both of the Senate and the House before the session takes their break and in time for the sixth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers where Brownlee is pressed to take the naturalized player spot in the roster.
