Naturalization for convenience? Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon has advised the Senate to give value in giving Philippine citizenship after an American basketball player naturalized in June 2014 just left the country.
Drilon, a former Justice Secretary, gave the advise a week before the Senate approved today on second reading two bills naturalizing Kakou Ange Franck Williams Kouame, a 6’11’’ basketball player, of Ivory Coast, and Bienverido Morejon Maranon, a football star, of Cadiz, Spain.
‘’We must guard against Blatches,’’ Drilon said referring to Andray Blatche, an African-American who joined the country’s national basketball team after his naturalization via congressional action in June, 2014.
There should be a national direction on the naturalization issue, he added.
In last week’s plenary session, Senator Richard J. Gordon, chairman of the Senate justice and human rights committee, told Drilon that Blatche ‘’nawala’’ (no longer around) after a citation of some foreigners so far naturalized by Congress.
Drilon expressed concern that the grant of Filipino citizenship must be given value, hinting that a Filipino citizenship for convenience should be avoided.
Gordon stressed that the grant of Philippine citizenship is a privilege, not a right.
Before his being naturalized, Blatche has never been to the Philippines nor has he any Philippine heritage.
Blatche, a nine-year National Basketball Association (NBA) veteran, has played for the Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets.
Senator Joel Villanueva also co-sponsored the naturalization of Kouame. Senator Juan Edgardo ‘’Sonny’’ M. Angara said Kouame is the ‘’missing link to Gilas.’’
Senator Christopher ‘’Bong’’ Go, chairman of the Senate sports committee, also cited Kouame’s prowess in basketball.
Both Villanueva and Gordon vouched for the sincerity of both Maranon and Kouame in embracing their Philippine citizenship.
During his previous committee hearing, Gordon had Maranon, with a small Philippine flag on his table, singing the National Anthem.
Villanueva said Kouame, who also speaks French, would give color to the Philippine flag in the coming basketball games.
‘’He has embraced the Filipino culture and traditions and our people and has made the Philippines his home,’’ he stressed.
‘’More importantly, Mr. Kouame commits himself to helping the country’s chances in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers by joining the players of Gilas Pilipinas, the country’s flagbearer in basketball against the world,’’ he added.
Gordon told his colleagues that he advised Kouame that he should not be the country’s ward when his basketball days are over.
To this, the African, who went to high school at and suited up for Ateneo, replied that he is now trying to finish a college degree, Gordon narrated.
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri also vouched for Maranon’s sincerity.
He said his grandfather left Spain because he opposed Spain’s Dictator Francisco Franco and settled in Western Visayas, is a Basque.
Maranon is also a Basque. The House of Representatives earlier approved a bill concurring with the naturalization of both Maranon and Kouame.
"The concurrence of the House to grant Marañon's naturalization is a recognition of his invaluable contributions to Philippine football since he donned the national colors in multiple international outings during the last five years," a Lower House committee report stated.