MANILA – Ceres–Negros Football Club’s Bienvenido Marañon and Robert Lopez Mendy could soon don the colors of the national men’s football team.
Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri recently filed separate measures calling for the naturalization of Marañon and Lopez Mendy – both veterans of the Philippines Football League (PFL).
The Negrense senator first filed Senate Bill 1390 for the naturalization of Senegalese Lopez Mendy before following it up with SB 1391 for the case of the Spanish Marañon.
The 33-year-old Lopez Mendy took his talents to the country in 2013. He had stints with Forza F.C., Green Archers United Globe F.C., and Kaya Futbol Club–Iloilo prior to signing with Ceres-Negros. Lopez Mendy is married to a Filipina named Maebel Lacastesantos.
“(Lopez Mendy) dreams to become part of the Philippines national football team and contribute in bringing honor and glory to the Philippines as it joins more international competitions in the future,” Zubiri said.
“It is his desire to play an integral part in developing football in the country and helping mold the youth to become competitive and at the same time teach them to uphold the ideals of sportsmanship and fair play,” he added.
The 33-year-old Marañon, on the other hand, spent his career in the lower tier leagues back in his country before playing for Ceres–Negros in 2015.
He instantly made impact for the Bacolod-based club, helping the team win four top division titles in the last five years, notably last year’s “invincible” run in the PFL.
“Bienve (Bienvenido) dreams of building a family in this country and raising his children surrounded by the kindness, humility and hospitality that Filipinos are known for,” Zubiri said.
According to FIFA rules, foreign players are allowed to play for a specific country as naturalized players, provided that they have already lived in the said nation for at least five years after they turned 18 years of age. Also, they should have never played for their native country’s national team prior to their decision to undergo naturalization./PN
