MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Migz Zubiri raised the need to amend the dual citizenship law so that individuals with Filipino parentage should automatically be granted Filipino citizenship.
The senator cited the case of American wrestler Matthew James Ramos whose father hailed from Pangasinan.
Sen. Kiko Pangilinan on Tuesday sponsored House Bill (HB) 6639 and HB 6644 granting Philippine citizenship to Ramos and basketball player Bennie Francois Boatwright III.
Pangilinan, Senate Committee on Justice chairman, said the two athletes can help strengthen Philippine sports on the international stage.
Zubiri expressed his support for the granting of Philippine citizenship to Bennie Francois Boatwright III and Ramos.
“Hopefully, they’re all Filipino citizens, but one of them happens to be a son of a Filipino, Mr. Ramos, the wrestler,” Zubiri said.
He said that under the law, a cutoff period limited applications of those who were already adults seeking to reacquire or retain Philippine citizenship.
“I think it’s about time we revisit that law and let’s amend it. Let’s just make it automatic,” Zubiri said.
Zubiri said overseas Filipino workers he met in Japan were unable to apply for dual citizenship due to the cutoff period despite existing online processes.
He said citizenship should be granted automatically as long as one can prove that either parent is Filipino.
Pangilinan said Ramos and Boatwright "are world-class athletes who, despite the many opportunities and paths available to them elsewhere, have chosen to cast their lot with the Filipino people."
Pangilinan said Ramos chose to represent the Philippines despite opportunities in the United States where he built a decorated wrestling career.
Ramos was runner-up in the 2023 US National Collegiate Athletic Association Championships and won the 2022 US Open title in the 57-kilogram category.
Pangilinan also recognized Boatwright for helping lead the San Miguel Beermen to the 2023 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup championship.
“As people have moved since the beginning of time, citizenship is also defined by choice. Citizenship is also defined by choosing to carry the Philippine flag with pride and honor before the world,” the senator said.
Pangilinan said the proposed measures recognize not only the athletes’ achievements but also their commitment to represent the Philippines before the world.