Marañon granted Filipino citizenship, can now play for Azkals
Bienve Maranon. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Forward Bienvenido Marañon has been granted Filipino citizenship following the approval of his naturalization process Wednesday.
President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11570 granting Philippine citizenship to United FC’s right winger, concluding a naturalization process that started at the House of Representatives on February 16, 2021.
Marañon will now be able to play with the Philippine Azkals in international competitions.
“Mr. Bienvenido Morejon Marañon is hereby granted Philippine citizenship with all the rights, privileges and prerogatives, as well as the duties and obligations appurtenant thereto under the Constitution and the laws of the Republic of the Philippines,” stated the Act.
The naturalization process was amended in the Senate on March 15, a little over a month before it was passed in the lower house.
Bienve Marañon leads Ceres-Negros past Svey Rieng of Cambodia. CERES PHOTO
Marañon is set to take the Philippines’ Oath of Allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines before an authorized officer with the process to be registered with the Bureau of Immigration.
It’s only when Marañon completes his oath that he will be issued with a certificate of naturalization.
Marañon is the AFC Cup’s all-time leading goal scorer with 35 goals, setting the mark on March 11, 2020 when he led the now defunct Ceres-Negros FC with a brace to a 4-0 win over Bali United.
A native of Cadiz City, Spain, Marañon helped United FC, which hailed from Ceres FC, to four PFL titles.
United FC is playing in the group stage of the 2021 AFC Champions League but sits at the bottom of Group I with one point.
