Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETHENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HouseisillNo.     8803
Introduced by CONG. ROBERT ACE S. BARBERS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Lacrosse  is  one  of the .fastest growing spofts  in the world.  Its popularity originates  in
North America but great interest is rapidly spreading into the international arena. The Philippines
prides itself on tis competitiveness globally in sports and continues to maintain and cultivate this
competitiveness.
The Philippine Lacrosse Association (PLA) represents the country within the Federation
of International Lacrosse (FIL).  The Philippine Lacrosse Team is currently ranked number  10
globally  out  of 79  countries  after  its  debut  at  the  2018  World  Lacrosse  Championship  in
Netanya, Israel. Of the 23-man roster that attended the world games in Israel,19 of them were
Filipino Citizens per FIL rules.
Patrick  David  Bartolome  Kaveny  was  born  in  Singapore  on  June  10,  1999  to  an
American Father and a Filipino Mother who was naturalized as a citizen of the United States om
1993.   She  recently  reacquired  her  Filipino  citizenship  through  R.A.  9225.  Mr.  Kaveny  is
ineligible to receive citizenship through his mother as she was not a Filipino citizen at the time
his birth.
Mr. Kaveny played defense at the highest Division 1 Collegiate level in the United States
and through a rigorous selection process and try outs, Mr. Kaveny has been selected to represent
the Philippines at the 2023 world games on the 23-man roster.  The requirement of citizenship
does not differ from the 2018 games in Israel:  19 of those 23 men must be Filipino citizens. PLA
hopes to make another strong showing at the 2023 World Lacrosse Games in Sam Diego.


Additionally,  it  is  the  goal  of the  PLA  to  grow  the  sport  of  Lacrosse  within  the
Philippines and Mr. Kaveny has also be selected to work with the PLA to teach the sport to local
youth when they travel to the Philippines in the incoming year.
In recent years,  the Philippines has granted Filipino  citizenship to  athletes  in order to
represent  the  country  in  international  tournaments.  In  2014,  two  American-born  basketball
players, Javalee MCGee, and Andray Blatche were granted citizenship to play on the Philippine
National Team in the FIBA Basketball World Cup. More recently, PBA player Justin Brownlee
has  been  granted  citizenship.  Another  example  of an  athlete  granted the  honor of Philippine
citizenship to represent our country is SEA Gold medalist swimmer Akiko Thompson.
Again, it is of utmost importance that we bolster the rosters of all teams representing the
Philippines in any international toumanent to create a successful culture in sports. Mr. Kaveny is
by blood a Filipino and his loyalty to the country is without question. His skill in the sport of
Lacrosse will undoubtedly represent the Philippines well at the 2023 World Lacrosse Games.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVHS
Quezon City
NINETHENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HouseBillNo.   6803
Introduced by CONG. ROBERT ACE S. BARBHRS
AN ACT
GRANTING PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP TO
MR. PATRICK DAvlD 8. KAVEI`nr
Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and the  House  Of Representatives  Of the  Republic  Of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION  1. Patrick David 8. Kaveny is hereby granted Philippine citizenship with all
the  rights  and privileges  and prerogatives,  as well  as  the  duties  and  obligations  appurtenant
thereto, under the Constitution and the laws of the Republic of the Philippines.
SECTION 2. Patrick David 8. Kaveny shall take the Oath of Allegiance to the Republic
of the  Philippines  before  an  officer  duly  authorized  to  administer  the  same.  The  Oath  of
Allegiance shall be registered with the Bureau of Immigration.
SECTION  3.  Upon registration of the  Oath  of Allegiance,  the Bureau of Immigration
shall issue a Cerdficate of Naturalization to Patrick David 8. Kaveny who shall thereupon enter
into the full enjoyment of Philippine citizenship.
SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect immediately upon its publication in the Official
Gazette or at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,