Brownlee will also be enlisted as a reserve officer in the Philippine Army.
THE House of Representatives led by Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Tuesday approved on third and final reading House Bill 6224, granting Philippine citizenship to Justin Donta Brownlee.
It states that upon registration of his Oath of Allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines, Brownlee would be able to receive his Certificate of Naturalization to be issued by the Bureau of Immigration.
Explaining his vote, Rep. Michael Romero PhD, one of HB 6224’s principal authors, recognized that Brownlee seeks to obtain his citizenship out of his love for Filipinos and the country. Additionally, Romero noted that the enactment of this bill would gain the Philippine team a “formidable ally” as they represent the country at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Meanwhile, House Members approved on second reading HB 6452, or the proposed “Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (VIP) Act.” The bill seeks to establish the VIP as an attached agency under the Department of Science and Technology. It would serve as the premier research and development institute in the field of virology, encompassing all kinds of viruses and viral diseases in plants, animals, and humans.
Further, it provides that the VIP would be mandated to implement policies, plans, programs, and projects for the development of virology science and technology in the country to ultimately achieve self-reliance, as well as accelerate economic and social development towards the protection of the citizens.
The hybrid plenary session was presided over by Deputy Speaker Raymond Democrito Mendoza.
