Bienvenido Marañon showed his desire to become a naturalized Filipino by singing the country’s national anthem during the hearing of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights held Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021.
Marañon, the Spanish-born striker of Philippines Football League champion United City fluently sang the lyrics of Lupang Hinirang during his virtual presence in the hearing presided by Senator Richard Gordon.
“That’s enthusiasm if I know one,” said Gordon, who chairs the committee, when Marañon brought out a miniature Philippine flag before singing the anthem.
The committee approved the Senate Bill No. 1391 authored by Senator Migs Zubiri, Marañon’s first step in his bid to gain the nod in the upper chamber.
It needs to be passed on the second and third reading during the plenary session of the Senate before the bill is sent to Malacanang for President Duterte’s signature.
A House version of the bill was unanimously approved on the third and final reading during last week’s plenary session.
The 35-year-old Maranon is hoping to become a Filipino citizen in order to be eligible to play for the Philippine Azkals in future international competitions.