Senator Christopher “Bong” Go expressed his support for the naturalization of basketball standouts Maodo “Malick” Diouf and Elizabeth Jeanette Means, emphasizing their potential contributions to strengthening the country’s national teams and further elevating the level of Philippine basketball on the international stage.
During the Senate session on Monday, March 16, the plenary approved on third and final reading the House Bill Nos. 6640 and 6641, seeking to grant Philippine citizenship to the two athletes.
The measure granting citizenship to Diouf was approved in the Senate with 20 affirmative votes, no negative votes, and no abstention. Diouf was present during the plenary session.
Meanwhile, the bill granting citizenship to Means was approved with 17 affirmative votes, two negative votes, and one abstention as Means was unable to attend the session due to an emergency.
The measures, once enacted into law, Diouf and Means will be granted Philippine citizenship with all the rights, privileges, and prerogatives, as well as the duties and obligations required thereto under the Constitution and the laws of the Republic of the Philippines.
Both athletes will also have to take the Oath of Allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines before an officer duly authorized to administer the same, after which the oath will be registered with the Bureau of Immigration (BOI). Upon registration, the BOI will issue their Certificates of Naturalization, allowing them to fully enjoy the rights and responsibilities of Filipino citizens.
As one of the authors and co-sponsor of the naturalization bills, Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Sports, underscored the value of expanding the country’s basketball talent pool as the Philippines continues to compete in international tournaments.
“Alam niyo naman po, basketball fan po ako since 1983, sumasakay lang po ako ng jeep papunta sa Araneta then lumipat sa Ultra, known as Philsports ngayon, para makapanood lang po ng basketball,” he said.
“And until now, a PBA fan. Not only as a PBA fan, but as Chairman of the Senate Committees on Sports and on Youth, patuloy ko pong sinusuportahan ang ating mga atleta at naniniwala po ako kapag nagtulungan tayo dito, malayo po ang mararating ng ating mga atleta. With the support of the private sector, PSC, POC, kayang-kaya po nating manalo,” he added.
Diouf is a basketball player from Senegal, West Africa. He is also a foreign student-athlete for the University of the Philippines during the Season 84 Men’s Basketball in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and is known for his strong interior presence, rebounding ability, and defensive capabilities.
Meanwhile, Means, who was originally from the United States of America, played in the NCAA Division II in the United States for Westminster University. She has demonstrated strong performances in women’s collegiate basketball in the Philippines and is seen as a potential asset to the national women’s basketball team.
Go said that granting citizenship to the two athletes would provide the national teams with additional options and strengthen preparations for future tournaments.
“Malaking tulong po itong pag-pasa ng bills na ito. At least meron tayong mga reserba na players na pwede nating i-tap any time kung ano ang mas kailangan natin,” Go said.
He also pointed out the evolving nature of modern basketball, where versatility and shooting ability, even from traditionally interior players, have become increasingly valuable.
“At para po sa akin, bilang manlalaro rin po, puro three points na halos ngayon. When you shoot just 33% or 1/3 lang ng accuracy mo sa paglalaro, that is equivalent to 50% of the two points,” he explained.
He further stated, “Kapag tumira ka ng 12 attempts and napasok mo is apat, that is equivalent to 12 points. Sa two points naman, kapag tumira ka out of 12 attempts, pumasok ka ng six, that is 50%, 12 points pareho lang po sila. So more on yung mga players natin kahit na big men ay importante na po ang three points at malaking tulong po yun sina Malick and Elizabeth Means.”
Beyond the court, Go emphasized that legislative naturalization is a constitutionally recognized process that allows the country to extend citizenship to individuals who demonstrate commitment and potential contributions to the nation.
“The authority of Congress to grant Philippine citizenship is firmly grounded in the Constitution, which expressly provides that ‘those who are naturalized in accordance with law’ are citizens of the Philippines. This constitutional mandate empowers Congress, through legislative naturalization, to extend citizenship to deserving individuals whose lives and contributions demonstrate genuine allegiance to our country,” he said.
“I support the measures that seek to grant Philippine citizenship to Malick Diouf and Jeanette Means,” he ended.
