Bienve Marañon
MANILA – Football star Bienve Marañon on Wednesday said he wants to become part of the Philippine Azkals in the near future.
This, after his bid to become a Filipino citizen took a giant leap the day before when the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading House Bill 8631 seeking his naturalization.
"I would like to be one of you: to be part of [the] Azkals," Marañon said.
The current United City main man then expressed his gratitude to the 206 representatives who voted yes to the passing of the said bill.
"I would like to say thanks to the House of Representatives, the Committee on Justice, and to all the congressmen, especially Manny Lopez, who helped me a lot," Marañon said.
Lopez, Manila's 1st District representative, is among the principal authors of HB 8631.
Marañon also thanked former Negros Occidental representative and Philippine Olympic Committee chairman Monico Puentevella, which he called "Filipino papa", Azkals manager Dan Palami, and Philippine Football Federation president Nonong Araneta.
Once the naturalization process gets cleared in the Senate, which is now set to intervene after receiving the congressional approval, and in the presidential office, the 34-year-old Spanish-born striker vows to be a solid contributor to the national team.
"I would like to help them along as much as I can and be part of Philippine football's development," he said. (PNA)
