Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No.8144

Tntroduced by
REP. GREG G. GASATAYA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The proposed measure seeks to grant Filipino citizenship to Spanish soccer standout
Bienvenido Maranon Morejon, who has been playing for the country and his Bacolod City-based
team, Ceres-Negros Football Club, in the last five (5) years, consequently giving him all the
rights and privileges, duties and obligations pertinent under the Constitution of the Philippines
and other laws of the land.

The 34-year-old right-winger, born in the ancient port city of Cadiz, Spain in the
Andalucia Region on May 15, 1986, had been based in Bacolod City since 2015 until his transfer
to United City FC in Manila in March 2020 when the latter acquired the franchise of Ceres-
Negros FC in the Philippines Football League, a major annual tournament accredited by the
Philippine Football Federation and recognized by both the Asian Football Confederation and the
ASEAN Football Federation.

‘As the topscorer of his team in national, regional, Asian toumaments, Maranon became
an inspiration of young Filipino footballers, particularly Bacolenos and Negrenses, who came out
by the thousands to cheer on him and his Ceres-Negros team everytime they have matches at the
Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City, the football club’s official home pitch. Filipino
football fans, too, fiom all over the country would fly to Bacolod City to watch his team during
inter-chb competitions, ASEAN and Asian football hostilities.

Maranon grew up in the streets of Cadiz playing football. The sport has been his life
despite not being able to attend football academy because his parents could not afford it, But this
did not deter him to embrace the discipline, paving the way for a 15-year senior career in football
that began in 2005.

Playing right wing/forward for his team in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental,
Maranon made history in the AFC Cup where he booked a total of 35 goals, a record by a single
booter in the more than 20-year history of the Asian toumament. In the recently-conchided PFL
Championships alone, where his new team, the United City FC, emerged as champions, Maranon
registered seven (7) goals, another record to his credit.


Over the years that he lived in Bacolod City, Maranon endeared himself to the locals. He
initiated outreach programs for young Bacolodnons and Negrenses and reached as far as Aklan
to promote the game. He is epitomizes the ideal role model, an exceptional athlete, who, despite
his Spanish ancestry, leaned to love anything Filipino—the food, culture, the valtes—inchiding
our deep love of family and sense o community.

As such, passage of this bill is eamestly sought.

HON. GREG G. GASATAYA
Representative
Lone District of Bacolod City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No.8144

Tntroduced by
REP. GREG G. GASATAYA

AN ACT GRANTING PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP TO SPANISH FOOTBALL.
STANDOUT BIENVENIDO MARANON MOREJON

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

Section 1. Mr. Bienvenido Maranon Morejon is hereby granted Philippine citizenship
with all the rights, privileges and prerogatives, as well as the duties and obligations appurtenant
under the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines and laws of the land.

Section 2. Upon taking the Oath of Allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines before
an officer duly authorized for this purpose, the registration of the same with the Bureau of
Immigration, Mr. Bienvenido Maranon Morejon shall enter upon fall enjoyment of his Philippine
citizenship.

Section 3. After registration of the Oath of Allegiance, the Bureau of Immigration shall
issue Mr. Bienvenido Maranon Morejon his Certificate of Naturalization.

Section 4.This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days affer publication in the Official
Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

APPROVED,