Senator Bong Go welcomed the enactment of laws granting Philippine citizenship to basketball standout Bennie Boatwright and Filipino-American wrestler Matthew James Ramos, calling the development another investment in the country’s ability to compete on the international sporting stage.
Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, is an author and co-sponsor of the measures that became Republic Act No. 12323 for Boatwright and Republic Act No. 12324 for Ramos.
“We see two individuals who are willing to carry our flag, represent our people, and contribute to the continuing development of Philippine sports.”
“Citizenship is more than a legal status; it is a bond of loyalty, responsibility and shared purpose. In the case of these two athletes, we see two individuals who are willing to carry our flag, represent our people, and contribute to the continuing development of Philippine sports,” the veteran legislator said when he co-sponsored their naturalization measures in May.
The Senate approved House Bill Nos. 6639 and 6644, granting citizenship to Boatwright and Ramos, respectively, on third and final reading during its June 17 special session. Both measures received 13 affirmative votes with no negative votes or abstentions.
The bills were transmitted to the Office of the President on July 30. The measures subsequently lapsed into law after the constitutional period for presidential action expired.
The seasoned lawmaker was among the authors of Senate Bill No. 1595, the Senate counterpart for Boatwright’s naturalization, together with Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Pia Cayetano. Go solely authored SBN 1613 seeking Philippine citizenship for Ramos.
Boatwright, a 6-foot-10 professional basketball player who previously reinforced the San Miguel Beermen, has been eyed as an additional option for Gilas Pilipinas in future FIBA competitions and other international tournaments. The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has supported his naturalization as part of efforts to deepen the national team pool.
“Kapag may atletang handang katawanin ang Pilipinas at sumunod sa ating mga batas, dapat nating pag-aralan at suportahan ang mga hakbang na makabubuti sa bayan.”
“Suportado natin ang panukalang ito dahil makakatulong ito sa ating national team at sa pagsusulong ng Philippine sports. Kapag may atletang handang katawanin ang Pilipinas at sumunod sa ating mga batas, dapat nating pag-aralan at suportahan ang mga hakbang na makabubuti sa bayan,” Go previously said on Boatwright’s naturalization.
Ramos, meanwhile, is a wrestler with Filipino roots through his father, Crisante Holanday Ramos of Pangasinan. Despite opportunities to compete elsewhere, he chose to represent the Philippines and contribute to the development of Philippine wrestling.
Go stressed that the two naturalizations should complement, rather than replace, investments in homegrown athletes and grassroots development.
He has consistently pushed for a broader sports development pipeline beginning with young Filipino athletes in communities and schools and extending to collegiate, national, and international competition.
Among his initiatives is Republic Act No. 11470 establishing the National Academy of Sports, which allows qualified student-athletes to pursue their education alongside specialized athletic training.
Go has also filed SBN 171 seeking to expand the National Academy of Sports to the regions, particularly the Visayas and Mindanao, to provide more young athletes access to high-level training without having to relocate to Luzon.
He likewise filed SBN 413, which seeks to institutionalize the Philippine National Games as a nationwide grassroots sports competition, and SBN 678 proposing the National Tertiary Games for athletes at the collegiate level.
Go said the addition of athletes such as Boatwright and Ramos can further strengthen national teams while inspiring greater interest in basketball, wrestling, and other sports among younger Filipinos.
“As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, patuloy nating susuportahan ang ating mga atleta—mula grassroots hanggang international level. Kapag binigyan natin sila ng pagkakataon, training at tamang suporta, kaya nating makipagsabayan sa buong mundo,” he emphasized.
Go reiterated his call for Filipinos, especially the youth, to embrace sports as part of a healthy and productive lifestyle.
“Get into sports, stay away from drugs, to keep us healthy and fit,” he concluded.
