THE Senate committee on justice and human rights yesterday approved a measure that will grant Filipino citizenship to Ginebra San Miguel import Justin Brownlee.
Sen. Francis Tolentino, committee chairman, said the approval of Brownlee’s naturalization is an offshoot of Senate Bill No. 1336 that was filed by Sen. Ronald del Rosa.
“The consideration of the Senate Bill No. 1336… at the committee level is hereby terminated without objections coming from our colleagues. This hearing of the Senate committee is hereby adjourned,” Tolentino said before ending the hearing.
The measure will now be scheduled for plenary deliberations.
A similar measure was passed on first reading by the House of Representatives last week.
Before finally getting the nod of the Senate panel, Tolentio asked Brownlee if he is willing to serve the Philippine government during times of crisis and disasters as mandated on Filipino citizens.
Brownlee replied “Opo (yes),” adding that he would like to join the Philippine Army Reserve Corps.
In an interview with CNN Philippines, Tolentino said the Senate would be able to give the nod on Brownlee’s naturalization next month.
“Since we’re done with the budget hearings, probably by December we can have some progress on this, sans any questions,” Tolentino said.
He said Brownlee would make an immediate impact on the current lineup of the country’s men’s basketball team under Gilas Pilipinas for the coming FIBA Basketball World Cup next year.
