ON the day the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading the bill granting Filipino citizenship to basketball player Justin Donta Brownlee, Senators endorsed for plenary approval their counterpart report pushing for quick approval of the same in the Senate.
In his co-sponsorship speech Tuesday on House Bill No. 6224 under Committee Report No. 13, granting Philippine citizenship to Brownlee, Majority Leader Joel Villanueva noted that Brownlee’s contributions helped his team Barangay Ginebra San Miguel win five Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) titles.
“His love for the Philippines and basketball truly makes him a Filipino at heart and we are lucky to have him,” Villanueva affirmed. “We welcome him as one of our own and we look forward to seeing him wearing the Philippine jersey in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.”
The senator noted in thanking colleagues for fast-tracking what he said must be the “fastest” citizenship bills ever heard in the Senate, Villanueva singled out for praise the main sponsor of the measure granting Brownlee citizenship, Senator Francis Tolentino, “for his unwavering support to the field of sports in the country and for steadfastly pushing for the passage of this bill.”
In his sponsorship speech on Tuesday, Tolentino said two things struck him, among others, about why Brownlee deserved citizenship. First, unlike other players who were bestowed citizenship, “he was the one who stayed.” Brownlee had lived in the Philippines the past six years, playing for professional teams, and soaking in the culture and embracing the people.
Tolentino recalled that when asked why he chose to be a Filipino citizen, Brownlee replied that the past six years, especially during the pandemic, he had gone around a lot on his motorbike and noticed that everywhere he went, even in the humblest communities, Filipinos went along their daily lives cheerfully, despite adversity. And quite often, they played basketball to keep themselves happy, whether it’s on well-appointed gyms, or the humble dirt-road type of basketball court.
Tolentino said Brownlee had enthused that he wanted, above all, to live with this kind of people.
For his part, Villanueva said, “Basketball is life. It goes without saying that the Philippines as a nation, is basketball crazy. Aside from religiously following the National Basketball Association and idolizing its superstars, the country likewise prides itself for its own Philippine Basketball Association, the country’s professional basketball league and the first of its kind in Asia. Since then, a number of other professional and collegiate basketball leagues have been introduced in response to the growing enthusiasm of the Filipinos to participate in this sport.”
Villanueva himself played varsity basketball for University of Santo Tomas.
“This dedication to the game is further manifested in international basketball competitions such as the Asian Basketball Cup, where we found out that Justin Brownlee is one of our prized players,” Villanueva said.
Thus, Villanueva added, “it is my great honor” to co-sponsor House Bill No. 6224 under Committee Report Number 13, or An Act Granting Philippine Citizenship To Justin Donta Brownlee.”
Brownlee was born on April 23, 1988, in Georgia in the US.
“His contributions helped his team win five PBA titles. And as a Barangay Ginebra fan, we are looking forward to his sixth title in the PBA,” said Villanueva.
“Aside from winning the Best Import Award not once but twice,” the senator acknowledged “these achievements have brought enormous pride and joy to the Philippine Basketball Association and admiration from all basketball enthusiasts in the country.”
He notes that “with a very illustrious career in basketball, Brownlee wishes to play for the Philippine national team and has expressed his desire to stay in the country and be a naturalized citizen.”
Brownlee, the senator said, volunteered to train Filipinos.
“I was present during the committee hearing held in this very building. I was very impressed that he himself volunteered to train our very own Gilas players because of his experience,” the senator recalled, reminding that Brownlee “has been playing in different parts of the world so he knows what it’s like to play in international competitions. He volunteered himself, so that our basketball players can be further trained and exposed to international competition.” Villanueva said, partly in Filipino.
Moreover, the senator recalled that “Brownlee also demonstrated his willingness to immerse himself in the Filipino culture by learning to speak Tagalog, being involved in several community service projects, and even expressing his excitement to vote in the next elections. He has indeed imbibed the Bayanihan spirit.”
At the same time, Tolentino recalled that during committee hearings, he asked Brownlee if he was willing to serve in the Philippine military if needed, to defend the country, and Brownlee replied, “opo [yes].”
“Mr. Brownlee’s unequivocal allegiance to this country, admirable sportsmanship, and remarkable skills in the field of basketball will complement the country’s roster of world-class athletes and help the Philippine national team regain recognition in international basketball tournaments,” Villanueva said.