THE House Committee on Justice on Wednesday approved House Bill 825 granting Philippine citizenship to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel import Justin Brownlee.
Speaker Martin G. Romualdez commended Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) award-winning American import Brownlee on his bid to become a Filipino and possibly play for Gilas Pilipinas in international competitions.
Romualdez also expressed gratitude to his colleagues from the House committee on justice after approving House Bill (HB) No. 825 filed by 1-Pacman Party-list Rep. Mikee Romero through the motion of Cavite Rep. Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga, Jr. granting Philippine citizenship to Brownlee.
“Mabuhay ka, Justin Brownlee. This early, it’s already an honor to call you ‘kababayan’ because of your desire to serve the Philippine flag,” Romualdez said on his
Facebook post.
Under HB No. 825, Brownlee “shall enter upon the full enjoyment of Philippine citizenship” after taking his oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines if Congress approves the measure.
Romero said Brownlee has brought enormous pride and joy to the PBA and to all Filipino basketball enthusiasts.
“Truthfully, Mr. Brownlee has brought enormous pride and joy to all of Filipino basketball fans through his hard work in the PBA,” Romero said in his sponsorship speech. “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.”
Romero added: “We have the distinct opportunity of providing our Gilas Pilipinas Men’s Basketball team with a truly dependable ally in their 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.”