Citing their aspiration to join the Philippine national team and represent the country on the international stage, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan formally sponsored Committee Report No. 41 under House Bill 6640, granting Philippine citizenship to Maodo Diouf, and Committee Report No. 42 under House Bill 6641, granting citizenship to Elizabeth Jeanette Means, during the Senate’s plenary session on Wednesday, March 4. 

As Chairperson of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights, the senator said, “Ang pagkamamamayan ay hindi lamang isang legal na katayuan; ito ay isang taimtim na pangako sa bayan. Ang sinumang nagnanais maging pilipino ay hindi lamang dapat may kaalaman sa ating bansa, kundi dapat ding magpakita ng tunay na hangaring makibahagi sa pag-unlad nito.”. “Bukas ang Pilipinas sa mga taong nagdadala ng husay, sipag, at kahusayan sa kani-kanilang larangan—mga indibidwal na handang mag-ambag sa patuloy na pag-angat ng ating bansa,” he added. 

He shared that Senegalese national Diouf has been residing in the Philippines for seven years, and has played for Centro Escolar University and the University of the Philippines-Diliman, bringing the UAAP Season 84 championship to the state university in 2022 after a 36-year drought. Better known as “Malick,” Diouf has been invited by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) to join the Gilas Pilipinas Men’s 3x3 National Basketball Program.

Means, on the other hand, traces her Filipino heritage through a maternal great-grandfather in Naga City, Camarines Sur. The American professional basketball player has also been invited by the SBP to join the Gilas Pilipinas Women’s 3x3 national basketball team. Underscoring their future contributions not only to the national team but to the country’s development and the patriotism and nationalism of Filipinos, Pangilinan stressed that both Diouf and Means showcase the family ties, work, and values that are important to Filipinos. 

“Ang pagpili na maging Pilipino—ang pagpili sa Pilipinas—ay nangangahulugan ng pagiging Pilipino sa isip, sa salita, at sa gawa.,” he said.