A leadership dispute in the Senate followed by the Palace’s failure to act promptly on the measure has significantly delayed the naturalization of Gilas Pilipinas prospect Bennie Boatwright, effectively shutting the door on his participation in the 2026 Asian Games.
Senate records show that Boatwright’s naturalization bill was approved on second reading on May 26 and became eligible for third and final reading after one week.
However, a leadership dispute that saw then-Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano and his allies skip sessions pushed the measure’s final approval to June 17, when the Senate held a special session under newly-installed Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian.
The delay continued after Congress went on sine die break, with the House of Representatives under Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy transmitting the approved measure to Malacañang only on July 30.
The bill has since remained unsigned by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. and is set to automatically lapse into law 30 days since the House transmittal.
Malacañang recently directed the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) to facilitate action on the measure, including its enrollment, within the timeline needed for Boatwright’s possible participation.
But even if the bill becomes law on Aug. 29, Boatwright would still have to complete several requirements before he could represent the Philippines.
He must take his oath of allegiance, secure a certificate of naturalization from the Bureau of Immigration and obtain a Philippine passport before becoming eligible to suit up for Gilas.
With the men’s basketball tournament of the Asian Games scheduled to begin on Sept. 10 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, the remaining timeline leaves virtually no chance for Boatwright to complete all the necessary requirements in time.
The delay has already forced Gilas to go without Boatwright in the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers, where the Philippines will field an all-Filipino lineup.
Boatwright’s absence is an even bigger setback for Gilas’ Asian Games title defense.
Naturalized star Justin Brownlee is dealing with multiple injuries, while Angelo Kouame is unavailable because he remains under contract in France.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas had previously included Boatwright in its initial Asian Games list and had been hoping his naturalization could be completed before the tournament.
Instead, the prolonged legislative process and the subsequent delay in Malacañang have left Gilas without one of its planned naturalized reinforcements for both the crucial FIBA window and the Asian Games.
Boatwright’s naturalization bill may still become law without the President’s signature, but by then, the legal and administrative steps required to secure his Philippine passport are expected to leave him out of the Philippines’ continental title defense. (By the Staff)
