Republic of the Philippines
House of Representa
, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.230'7

Introduced by Hon. Roberto V. Puno

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Despite the fact that basketball is the acknowledged national past time of the Philippines.
the Philippines for the past few decades has been languishing under the cellar of the
international basketball competition hierarchy.

The Filipino people have witnessed the abrupt fall from grace of the once mighty
Philippine national basketball team, which has been shrugged off in international
competitions by our Asian neighbors who were able to adapt to the demands of
international competitions by naturalizing foreign athletes who were able to contribute to
the cause of their respective national teams.

‘The International Basketball Federation or FIBA, the governing body in international
basketball competitions, allows naturalized players to play for the national team of the
country, which naturalized hinvher. ‘Taking cue of this development. our Asian neighbors
lost no time in naturalizing American born basketball players to boost theit stock in
international competitions, some of which include Jordan, who naturalized Rasheim
Wright, J.R. Sakuragi for Japan, and Jackson Vroman for Lebanon. ‘The said teams
performed well in the FIBA Asia Championships Cup held last May 22 — May 30. 2010.
where the Philippines finished a dismal 7" place despite fielding a team composed of the

best professional players in the country.

Taking advantage of this prescribed rules of competition by the FIBA and as part of a
sports development program to help bring basketball in the Philippines to greater heights,
the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has done a rigorous search fo er that would
aid the country to reclaim it’s rightlul place in international basketball competitions. It is
in this purpose, that this bill seeks to grant Philippine Citizenship to Marcus Eugene
Douthit,



Marcus Eugene Douthit was born on April 15, 1980 in Syracuse, New York. Having,
played collegiately for the Providence College, Marcus Douthit was later on selected by
the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round, 56th overall, of the 2004 NBA Dratl
Although Douthit never played for the National Basketball Association, he played an
impressive stint for the Albuquerque ‘Thunderbirds in the NBA Development League
during the season 2005-2006. He also played for competitive leagues in Turkey,
Belgium, and Russia.

During the recent 2010 Smart Philippine Invitational Cup, Mr. Douthit proved to be a
valuable member of the Smart Gilas Pilipinas team afler averaging 18 points and 10
rebounds that led to the victory over World Championship-bound and Asia's third
strongest team, the Jordan National ‘Team. A player who stands 6°11 and plays the center
position, Marcus Douthit no doubt can hold his own against other behemoths in Ast
including those from Iran and China, the top two teams in Asia, Furthermore, his
experience and work ethic will contribute immensely to the training and development of
Filipino basketball players

In the past, naturalized athletes have brought honor to our country in various international
sports events. An example of this is Gillian Akiko Thomson, a gold medalist for the
Philippines swimming in the 14" Southeast Asian games of Jakarta, Indonesia and in the
15" SEA Games in the Philippines in 1991, Another example is Christine Jacob-
Sandejas, a champion swimmer, a former member of the Philippine women’s swimming,
team, and a medalist in the Southeast Asian Games

Recently, the grant of citizenship by specific decree or legislation has benefited other
countries. An example of this is Russia, whose stature in European Basketball
skyrocketed from 8" place in the year 2005 to I" place in the year 2007 in a large part
due to the contributions of American-bom athletes Jon Robert Holden and Kelly MeCarty

who were both naturalized by issuance of a direct decree by President Vladimir Putin
Other countries that have naturalized players in national teams are Montenegro. Bosnia,
Germany, Bulgaria and Macedo

Legislation by Presidential Decree is a thing of the past. However, recent legislation has
shown that Congress confers Philippine citizenship to those who have contributed
immensely to the development of the Philippines. Marcus Eugene Douthit is in a position
to make a significant contribution to Philippine basketball and Philippine sports and is
accordingly eligible for conferment of the honor of being a Philippine citizen

In consideration of all the above. approval of this measure is respectfully sought

few

OBKRLO V. PUNO


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

‘TH CONGRE
First Regular Session

No, 2307

FL

HOUSE BI

Introduced by Hon. Roberto V. Puno

PINE, SHIP TO MARCUS

pou

AN ACT GRAN
iii
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines. in

Congress assembled:

Sl ION 1 Marcus Eugene Douthit is hereby granted Philippine
citizenship with all the rights and privileges and prerogatives appurtenant thereto

and registration of the oath of allegiance to the

‘TION 2. Upon takin
Republic of the Philippines, Marcus Eugene Douthit shall enter upon the full enjoyment

of Philippine citizenship.

TION 3. This act shall take effect upon its approval

SE

Approved,