MANILA, Philippines – With the 30-day period over, Marcus Douthit, the American import of Smart Gilas Pilipinas, has become a naturalized Filipino citizen.
The naturalization papers of Douthit, known as House Bill No. 2307, were reportedly not signed by President Noynoy Aquino since they were forwarded to Malacañang last Feb. 9. Under the law, an approved bill which is not acted upon by Malacanang automatically becomes a law or good as approved.
The Douthit bill became a law last March 11.
Antipolo’s District II Rep. Robbie Puno, the principal author of the House Bill, said he has informed Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa about the bill and it becoming a law.
“We called the Executive Secretary’s office,” Puno said. “Our bill is still with them and that they will forward the enrolled copy to Malacañang Records within the week where it will be assigned its Republic Act Number.”
“They, however, have acknowledged that this bill did lapse into law as of March 11,” added the congressman from Antipolo.
The 6-foot-10 Douthit, a soft-spoken native of Syracuse, New York, said he’s pleased that the whole process is over now, which included an appearance twice in the Senate late last year.
“I’m very happy. I can now concentrate on playing,” he said.
“I don’t have to worry on anything about documents. I’ll focus on just helping the team,” Douthit added.
Douthit will retain his American citizenship and passport despite having been naturalized.
Smart-Gilas Serbian mentor Rajko Toroman said that having the 30-year-old Douthit as naturalized Filipino will be a big help not only for the current RP Team, but for the future national squads as well.
“He will be an important player for the national team, not only for Smart-Gilas, but for the men’s teams in the next four to five years,” Toroman said.
Smart-Gilas is currently playing in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, which is part of their preparation for the FIBA-Asia Championship in September in Wuhan, China, the qualifying event for the 2012 London Olympics.(MB)
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