Bong Go

Bong Go reminds Brownlee to cherish being a Filipino

December 13, 2022 People's Journal 254 views

SENATOR and Chair of the Senate Committee on Sports Christopher “Bong” Go urged Justin Brownlee to cherish being a Filipino as the Senate on Monday, December 12, approved on third and final reading the measure granting his Philippine citizenship.

“To Mr. Brownlee, nawa’y patuloy mong isapuso ang pagiging isang Pilipino,” said Go during his speech.

“Mahalin mo ang Pilipinas at isapuso ang tungkulin ng bawat mamamayang Pilipino na magsilbi sa bayan at unahin ang interes ng Pilipinas,” he added.

The senators voted 21-0 in favor of House Bill No. 6224, with no votes against and no abstentions. It will be sent to Malacañang for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to sign into law.

In his speech, Go also thanked Senator Francis Tolentino, who was the measure’s sponsor, as well as all of the bill’s authors for making the legislation a priority.

“I just want to thank the sponsor, Senator Francis Tolentino, at sa lahat po ng authors, mga kasamahan natin dito—Senator Angara, (Majority Leader) Villanueva, ang first five, Senator Bato, (Senate President) Zubiri—lahat na. Senator Estrada… Senator Binay, Senator Ejercito, Senator Gatchalian, Senator Poe, Senator Padilla, Senator Tulfo, Senator Legarda, Senator Pimentel, Senator Hontiveros, Senator Lapid, Senator Marcos, Senator Villar, Senator Revilla, sa lahat ng kasamahan natin, Senator Cayetano – sa tulong, for prioritizing this measure,” Go said.

With Brownlee on the Filipino side, Go said that he can bolster the country’s chances in various international competitions including the upcoming FIBA World Cup in 2023.

The country will co-host the competition with Japan and Indonesia, which will be held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and the Mall of Asia Arena from August 25 to September 10 next year. The country will also host the final phase of the competition.

“At stake po dito ang ating bayan, sana ay pumasok tayo sa Final Eight at manalo,” said Go.

Brownlee came to the Philippines in 2016. He initially joined the Philippine Basketball Association competitions as a replacement import. He then showcased his talents which helped Barangay Ginebra claim its first PBA championship in eight years. Since then, he has assisted and led his team to achieve five PBA championships in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021.

“Sa pananatili niya dito sa ating bansa, napatunayan niya hindi lang ang basketball skill niya kundi pati na rin ang pagmamahal niya sa mga Pilipino at sa bansa. Alam kong naisapuso na niya ang ating mga tradisyon at kultura,” said Go earlier.

“Napamahal na siya sa mga Pilipino at alam ko rin na napamahal na rin ang mga Pilipino sa kanya, vice versa,” he added.

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