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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Padilla supports Brownlee's naturalization

Padilla supports Brownlee's naturalization

Published Dec 6, 2022 09:06 am

Senator Robinhood Padilla has thrown his support behind the proposed naturalization of African-American basketball player Justin Brownlee.

During the period of interpellation on a bill seeking to naturalize the Barangay Ginebra import on Monday, December 5, Padilla said he understands the need of the national basketball team to have tall players that could go against the elite cagers from other countries.

Padilla, however, said he would oppose the naturalization of international football players given that the country has so many agile local players that could go toe-to-toe against foreigners.

On the other hand, Senator Francis “Tol” Tolentino answered clarificatory questions from his colleagues regarding House Bill No. 6224 (taking into consideration Senate Bill numbers 1336, 1516 and 1519) particularly the grant of Philippine citizenship to basketball athlete Justin Donta Brownlee.

During the Senate plenary session, Tolentino was asked if the 34-year-old Brownlee, if granted a Filipino citizenship, would also play in All-Filipino leagues and will be considered a naturalized Filipino athlete.

Tolentino said he is disappointed by the lack of opportunities and apparent discrimination against naturalized Filipino athletes who are not being allowed to play by local basketball associations and administrators in All-Filipino leagues who still consider them foreigners.

He compared this issue to naturalized athletes playing at the ongoing 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where 136 athletes are not only playing for countries who naturalized them, but are also encouraged to play in their local leagues.

"It is puzzling. This is revealing. Why are we not allowing, why are we discriminating against naturalized athletes coming from other countries? I do not know the real reason," Tolentino lamented.

Related Tags

Justin Brownlee Robin Padilla
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