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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Senate panel approves Diouf, Means naturalization; Boatwright's bid deferred

Senate panel approves Diouf, Means naturalization; Boatwright's bid deferred

Published Mar 4, 2026 02:12 pm

At A Glance

  • The bills seeking to grant naturalization of Malik Diouf and Elizabeth Means have hurdled the Senate committee level while Bennie Boatwright's bid was deferred as he was unavailable for the public hearing on Tuesday, March 3.
(SBP Photo)
(SBP Photo)

The bills seeking to grant naturalization of Malik Diouf and Elizabeth Means have hurdled the Senate committee level while Bennie Boatwright’s bid was deferred as he was unavailable for the public hearing on Tuesday, March 3.

Diouf, under Senate Bill No. 1596 and House Bill No. 6640, and Means, under Senate Bill No.1594 and House Bill No. 6641, are seeking Filipino citizenship to bolster the lineups of Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 teams in time for the Asian Games

The two appeared before the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights as chairperson Senator Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan gave the approval after hearing no objections from several government agencies in attendance like the Bureau of Immigration and National Bureau of Investigation, among others

As for Boatwright's absence, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Erika Dy explained that the 6-foot-11 center was not able to attend due to his commitments to his team Daegu KOGAS Pegasus in the Korean Basketball League.

“Mr. Boatwright had himself excused as he’s currently playing in the Korean Basketball League so he was not allowed by his team to come today,” said Dy.

The SBP executive, upon the inquiry of the panel, highlighted the importance of Boatwright’s naturalization to the country’s bid of qualifying to the 2027 FIBA World Cup and the 2028 LA Olympics.

“For Bennie Boatwright we are looking at him for our 5-on-5 basketball team. We all know Justin Brownlee is 37 na right now so we don't know how long he could still be active,” she added.

Dy, however, assured that the former San Miguel Beer center would be in the country by April so he can personally attend the public hearing for his naturalization.

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