The Philippine Senate approves, on third and final reading, House Bills 6639 and 6644 granting Filipino citizenship to Filipino-American athletes Bennie Francois Boatwright III, a basketball player, and Matthew Hames Ramos, a wrestler. According to reports, the measures are passed during a Senate special session on Wednesday with 13 senators present, who vote in the affirmative. The naturalization process is described as delayed since June 1, with the bills only advancing to approval after the Senate session. Boatwright, who plays basketball professionally and is described as a San Miguel Beer import, is reportedly being considered for national team duties with Gilas Pilipinas, with an eye toward competing in the 2026 Asian Games. Ramos, also a Filipino-American athlete, seeks naturalization to allow him to participate in international competitions representing the Philippines. Both athletes are reported as not attending the Senate proceedings. Following Senate approval, the bills advance through the remaining steps required for final enactment, as outlined in the legislative process.
Senate approves naturalization bills for Fil-Am athletes Boatwright and Ramos
The Philippine Senate approves, on third and final reading, House Bills 6639 and 6644 granting Filipino citizenship to Filipino-American athletes Bennie Francois Boatwright III, a basketball player, a...
- The Senate approves on third and final reading House Bill 6639 for basketball player Bennie Francois Boatwright III.
- The Senate approves on third and final reading House Bill 6644 for wrestler Matthew Hames Ramos.
- The approval occurs during a Senate special session on Wednesday with 13 senators present and voting affirmatively.
- The bills were delayed beginning June 1 before being passed.
- Reports say Boatwright is being considered for Gilas Pilipinas and aims to compete in the 2026 Asian Games, while Ramos seeks eligibility for international competitions representing the Philippines.
MANILA, Philippines–San Miguel Beer import Bennie Boatwright moved on the brink of becoming a naturalized Filipino after the Senate approved on third and final reading the bill seeking his naturalization during a special session on Wednesday. Senators unanimously approved House of Representatives Bill 6639, or the measure granting Philippine citizenship to Boatwright, with all 13 lawmakers present voting in the affirmative. READ: Bennie Boatwright stays patient on Gilas Pilipinas naturalization Also approved on final reading was House Bill 6644, which seeks to grant Philippine citizenship to Filipino-American wrestler Matthew James Ramos. The naturalization bills were among the measures caught in […]...Keep on reading: Bennie Boatwright naturalization OK’d by Senate
2 months agoMANILA, Philippines – The long-awaited naturalization of basketball player Bennie Francois Boatwright III and wrestler Matthew Hames Ramos were approved on third reading at the Senate special session on Wednesday. After being delayed since June 1, House Bills No. 6639 and 6644 which grants citizenship to the athletes were approved in the presence of 13 senators. Boatwright, an American basketball player, is being eyed by the national team, Gilas Pilipinas, to represent the country in the 2026 Asian Games. Meanwhile, Filipino-American Ramos sought naturalization to participate in international competitions for the Philippine. Both athletes were not in attendance as they […]...Keep on reading: Boatwright, Ramos naturalization bills approved by Senate on 3rd reading
2 months agoSenate approves Filipino citizenship for cager Bennie Boatwright and wresler Matt Ramos.
2 months ago
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