Douthit bill suffers snag

MANILA—The Senate failed to take up on third reading the application for naturalization of Marcus Douthit Wednesday, dimming the 6-foot-10 American’s chance of obtaining Filipino citizenship before the Nov. 12 to 27 Guangzhou Asian Games.      Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Noli Eala said the Senate couldn’t tackle Senate Bill No. 2559, which seeks to grant Douthit Filipino citizenship, due to the lack of a three-day notice period.
     Eala said Malacañang also did not act on a request by the SBP to certify the naturalization process as urgent, a requirement for the Senate to dispense with the three-day rule.
     Effectively, the bill is still pending and will be taken up on third reading when the Senate resumes its session on Nov. 8.
     “Chances are small if not close to nil that he (Douthit) can still make it with this development,” said Eala. “We missed it by two days.”
     Had the Senate approved the bill on the third reading, Douthit’s application would have been forwarded to the Office of the President for signing today.
     There will be a two-week publication period before Douthit could apply for a Philippine passport, a requirement of the Guangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee for the Providence alum to join the national quintet.      “With or without Douthit, our basketball team is committed to represent our flag with pride and honor and will be fighting hard in the coming Asiad,” said Eala.
     “Despite the temporary delay, the SBP is confident that the bill will eventually see full passage,” he added.
     The SBP is hoping that Douthit could obtain Filipino citizenship in time for the Fiba Asia Championship in Beirut, Lebanon, tentatively scheduled in August next year.