Senate panel OKs granting of Philippine citizenship to Justin Brownlee

FILE–Naturalization candidate and long time Ginebra import Justin Brownlee. –INQUIRER PHOTO/Tristan Tamayo

MANILA, Philippines — A measure granting Philippine citizenship to basketball player Justin Brownlee has been approved by a Senate panel on Monday.

The Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, chaired by Senator Francis Tolentino, deliberated Senate Bill No. 1336 or Granting Philippine Citizenship to Justin Brownlee, filed by Senator Ronald dela Rosa.

Senator Sonny Angara, chairperson of the Samahan ng Basketbol ng Pilipinas, and Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva have likewise lodged separate measures with a similar goal.

“The consideration of the Senate Bill 1336… at the committee level is hereby terminated and without objections coming from our colleagues, this hearing of the Senate committee on justice and human rights is hereby adjourned,” Tolentino said during the panel hearing.

Villanueva confirmed the approval in the committee level and said that they will report it in the plenary soon.

“[C]omm level yes, will report it out sa plenary soon,” he told INQUIRER.net in a message when asked if the bills hurdled the panel.

(It was approved at the committee level. We will report it in the plenary soon.)

Brownlee is Barangay Ginebra resident import and has won the PBA’s Best Import award twice.

Brownlee, once his naturalization is approved, is anticipated to reinforce the Gilas Pilipinas team in February when it plays against Lebanon and Jordan in the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers.