Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. Bees

INTRODUCED BY HON. ROBERTO “ROBBIE” V. PUN!

EXPLANATORY NOTE

His story is much like some of our own sports icons. He grew up poor, persevered,
honed his craft, and is now a powerhouse in his game.

Angelo “Ange” Kouame has played basketball for the Ateneo de Manila University
team since 2018. He has been instrumental in giving the Blue Eagles two of their three back-
to-back-to-back championships in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines
(UAAP) in the past three seasons.

Hailing from the Ivory Coast, Mr. Kouame took the risk of going to a country halfway
around the world when he went the Philippines in 2016 to try out for the Blue Eagles, leaving
behind his mother and five siblings. Since then the 6-foot-ten Ivorian center has made the
Philippines his home and has quickly made a name for himself in collegiate basketball.

Coach Tab Baldwin of the Ateneo Blue Eagles has nothing but praises for Ange.
“There was first of course, the wonderful character in the young man. He’s just a guy that
exudes humility and has a great desire to achieve,” Coach Baldwin said in an interview in
2018. “He’s such a great young man that I don’t think anybody really thinks that we’re
having work when we’re spending time with Ange. It’s just easy to do and the reward from
him in terms of his willingness to listen, his friendship, his openness to teaching," Baldwin
added.

Indeed, Ange’s passion for his basketball is evident every time he is on the court. This
much was evident in his hand in the recent 16-0 sweep for the Blue Eagles in the 82™ Season
of the UAAP men’s basketball, From having little knowledge of basketball back in the Ivory
Coast, Mr. Kouame has definitely shown that he is thriving on Philippine shores.

Taking cue from other countries, the Philippines has been allowing naturalized
athletes to play for its national teams as a way to improve its global rankings. And now we
are urging Congress to naturalize yet another player in the person of Mr. Kouame.


Ange would be a great addition to Philippine basketball and the Philippine sporting
community at large. And while he may not have been a Filipino by birth, he embodies the
Filipino values of perseverance, determination, and dedication to his craft.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

ROBE! “ROBBIE” V. PUNO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5951

HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY HON. ROBERTO “ROBBIE” V. PUN!

AN ACT GRANTING PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP TO ANGELO KOUAME

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

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

SEC. 2. After the taking by Mr. Koaume of his Oath of Allegiance before an officer
duly authorized for this purpose, and the registration of the same with the Bureau of
Immigration, Mr. Angelo Kouame shall enter upon the full enjoyment of his Philippine
citizenship.

SEC. 3. Upon registration of the Oath of Allegiance, the Bureau of Immigration shall
forthwith issue Mr. Angelo Kouame’s Certificate of Naturalization.

SEC. 4. This Act shall take effect immediately upon publication in at least two (2)
newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,