The bills granting Filipino citizenship to American basketball player Bennie Boatwright and wrestler Matthew James Ramos passed on third reading, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said on Wednesday, June 17.
The passing of House Bill Nos. 6639 and 6644 happened during a Senate special session held on Wednesday, weeks after a leadership deadlock in the chamber.
Pangilinan, who authored and sponsored the measures as chair of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, said that both athletes will be invited to the Senate plenary when the session reopens for the State of the Nation Address (SONA) next month.
“They were here every day and witnessed the proceedings or the lack of proceedings. But then, we will make arrangements, Mr. President, that when we convene for the SONA or perhaps that week of the SONA, that they come and visit us here in plenary, Mr. President—both Bennie Boatwright and Matt Ramos,” the senator stated.
Granting citizenship to Boatwright and Ramos will pave the way for them to join the national teams and improve the competitiveness of the Philippine basketball and wrestling teams in the Asian Games and other international competitions.
Boatwright is an American professional basketball player last played for the San Miguel Beermen of the Philippine Basketball Association, while Ramos is an American wrestler who traces his roots in Pangasinan and wants to represent the Philippines.