The House of Representatives approved on the second reading a bill seeking the naturalization of Philippines Football League star Bienvenido Maranon.
House Bill No. 8631 was given the nod during a plenary session held Wednesday, Feb. 10, in another step towards granting citizenship to the Spanish striker of PFL champion United City FC.
The bill needs the approval of the House on the third and final reading through nominal voting before it is transmitted to the Senate.
A Senate version of the bill, SB No. 1391, was filed last year by Senator Miguel Zubiri.
Once the bill is approved by both chambers, it will be submitted to President Duterte where he can sign it into a law or otherwise veto it.
The bill can become a law if the Chief Executive fails to act on the bill after 30 days.
Maranon, 34, is hoping to be granted Filipino citizenship in hopes of suiting up for the Philippine Azkals as a naturalized player in FIFA-sanctioned competitions.