AND it is done!
Prolific Barangay Ginebra San Miguel import Justin Brownlee is now a naturalized Filipino after President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. signed into law the bill granting the Georgia, USA-born and St. John’s University alum Philippine citizenship.
According to Sen. Francis Tolentino, one of the principal authors of the law, was elated after announcing that President Marcos, Jr. already signed Republic Act 11937.
This development came one month after the Senate approved House BIll 6624 on third and final reading without any changes.
Legislators came together to fast-track the approval of the bill as Brownlee is being groomed to once again backstop the men’s national basketball team as its naturalized player, particularly during the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers next month,
The Philippines will face Lebanon and Jordan on February 24 and February 27, respectively, at the massive Philippine Arena in Bulacan.
The country co-hosts the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, happening on August 25 to September 10, 2023, together with Japan and Indonesia.