MALICK Diouf and Elizabeth Means have officially become Filipinos after obtaining their Philippine passports on Wednesday.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) posted photos of Diouf and Means taking their oath of allegiance to the Philippines at the House of Representatives, and later visiting the Department of Foreign Affairs Office of the Consular Affairs.
Diouf and Means have been naturalized to become part of the Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 team.
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Diouf and Means became Filipino citizens last May 18 after the bills seeking their naturalization lapsed into law even without the signature of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Diouf and Means were granted Philippine citizenship under Republic Act 12318 and 12319, respectively.
As the two become Philippine citizens, the SBP is now awaiting the naturalization of Bennie Boatwright. The bill seeking his naturalization has been approved on third and final reading last June 17 and it could lapse into law without the President’s signature 30 days after receipt.
The SBP is now in a race against time as it is still hoping that Boatwright could secure his Philippine passport in time for the Asian Games to be held from September 19 to October 4 in Nagoya, Japan.
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