Brownlee’s citizenship

Republic Act 11937 made Justin Donta Brownlee a Filipino citizen. He can now play for the Philippine national basketball team as a Filipino. Generally, Filipinos don’t object to foreigners hurriedly being given citizenship, even if we know that it’s primarily for the sake of winning FIBA games. On one hand, we love basketball with unequalled passion. On the other, we may have some subconscious gratitude that an outsider of his skill actually wants to be a Filipino. Besides, international basketball rules allow for a number of foreign reinforcements and naturalized players. And if Justin really wants to be a Filipino, then God bless him, let him be one. The only thing that makes a few people uncomfortable is the feeling that he is privileged, with powerful people working behind the scenes to benefit from his becoming a citizen of the country. But that feeling passes.

It actually works both ways. The US similarly has provisions to grant citizenship to foreign persons with “extraordinary ability.” Many Filipino athletes, actors, singers and professionals from other fields have, in fact, either been offered or have applied for American citizenship on this premise. Most have been granted US citizenship with the understanding that their skills and/or status would contribute positively to the country and its image. We can’t mention them here out of respect for their privacy, which the US also protects quite strongly.

There are a lot of things connected to being a citizen of a country. It impacts where you can reside, where (and how much) tax you pay, which laws protect you, and how many countries you can enter without a visa. An American passport is a desirable, powerful one, though not as powerful as many European, Caribbean or even an Australian travel document. Many of those territories actually have citizenship by investment programs, wherein you literally buy your way in by making a donation to their government or an investment in a business or local real estate. There’s also the issue of dual citizenship, which many – but not all – countries allow. In reality, one can have as many passports and as many citizenships as one wants (we see this all the time in spy movies). Countries almost never check your other citizenships. Just make sure that you don’t make the nearly impossible mistake of getting caught.

In Brownlee’s case, dual citizenship is allowed in both the US and the Philippines. There are several benefits to being a Filipino citizen, too. Career-wise and financially, the 6’6” athlete is well-compensated. If he earns in US dollars, his money goes much further, particularly given the skyrocketing exchange rate. More importantly, he will be able to play his sport at levels he otherwise might not be able to in America. That’s also why many Filipino-foreign athletes choose to play here, and not just in basketball.

Of course, the impact of the R.A. granting Brownlee citizenship isn’t up there with the General Appropriations Act that helps keep the country running, the Tax Reform Act, which helps fund the national government more efficiently, or even the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, among many. But it is significant to the basketball-loving segment of Philippine society. And Brownlee’s sincerity in wanting to be a Filipino is heart-warming. At the end of the day, the Filipino people have embraced Brownlee as one of our own, in the same manner that fans have embraced Norman Black, Sean Chambers, Bobby Parks Sr., Darryl Smith and others, out of admiration, respect and acceptance. Filipinos recognize hard work, humility, ability. That is what matters most.

And playing for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in another championship run certainly helps.