SEN. Bong Go expressed his support for the naturalization of basketball stars Maodo Diouf and Elizabeth Jeanette Means, noting their potential to enhance the performance of Philippine teams in international competitions. In the Senate session Monday, the plenary passed on third and final reading House Bills 6640 and 6641, granting Philippine citizenship to the two athletes. The bill granting citizenship to Diouf was ratified in the Senate with 20 votes in favor, none opposed and no abstentions. Diouf attended the plenary session. Conversely, the bill that conferred citizenship upon Means was approved with 17 votes for, two against and one abstention. She could not be present due to an emergency. Once enacted, Diouf and Means will receive Philippine citizenship along with all rights, privileges and responsibilities, as well as the duties and obligations mandated by the Constitution and the laws of the Republic of the Philippines. The athletes will be required to take the Oath of Allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines before an authorized officer. This oath will be registered with the Bureau of Immigration (BI). Following registration, the BI will issue Certificates of Naturalization, allowing them to fully enjoy the rights and responsibilities of Filipino citizenship. As an author and co-sponsor of the naturalization bills, Go, who leads the Senate Committee on Sports, highlighted the importance of increasing the country’s basketball talent pool as the Philippines competes in international events. “You know, I have been a basketball fan since 1983; I used to take a jeep to Araneta and then go to Ultra, now called Philsports, just to watch basketball,” he said in Filipino. “And even now, I’m a fan of the PBA. Not only as a fan, but as chairman of the Senate committees on sports and youth, I continue to support our athletes, and I believe that if we collaborate, our athletes can achieve great success. With backing from the private sector, PSC, POC, we can win,” he added. Diouf hails from Senegal, West Africa, and is a foreign student-athlete at the University of the Philippines, participating in Season 84 Men's Basketball in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines. He is recognized for his strong presence in the key, rebounding ability and defensive skills. Means, originally from the United States, played NCAA Division II basketball at Westminster University in the US. She has showcased impressive performances in women’s collegiate basketball in the Philippines and is viewed as a valuable addition to the national women’s basketball team. Go said legislative naturalization is a constitutionally endorsed process that permits the country to grant citizenship to individuals demonstrating dedication and potential contributions to the nation.