MANILA – The House of Representatives has unanimously approved the naturalization bills of United City Football Club star Bienvenido Marañon and Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles center Angelo Kouame.
House Bill No. 8631 seeking to grant Filipino citizenship to Maranon, filed by Manila First District Rep. Manny Lopez, has been approved on the third and final reading via 206-0 votes on Tuesday afternoon.
The Spanish striker’s naturalization bid is expected to be a huge boost for the Philippine Azkals’ future, giving the national football team a reliable scorer for international competitions.
The 34-year-old Marañon steered the United City Football Club to the fourth consecutive Philippines Football League crown and stints in the Asian Football Confederation Cup.
Just like Marañon, Kouame’s naturalization bill, which was filed by Deputy Speaker and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) vice-chairman Robbie Puno, have also hurdled the third and final reading at 210-0 votes.
“I thank my colleagues for the swift approval of House Bill No. 8632 and I anticipate its quick passage on the third and final reading shortly. We can say we are much closer to naturalizing yet another star athlete for our national team,” said Puno.
“I am hopeful that Angelo Kouame will become a Philippine citizen just in time for the upcoming FIBA (International Basketball Federation) Asia Cup and the 2023 FIBA World Cup,” he added.
Following the House’s approval, it is now up to Senate to complete the naturalization of both Maranon and Kouame. Once approved by the senators, it will be sent to President Rodrigo Duterte for signature.
The naturalization bill of Kouame is still in pending status as of Nov. 9, 2020, while Maranon’s naturalization bill is pending from March 3, 2020./PN
