(PHILIPPINES) The push to grant citizenship to American forward Bennie Boatwright so he can suit up for Gilas Pilipinas is officially alive in the 20th Philippine Congress, with House Bill (HB) 04401 re-filed and awaiting its first hearing before the House Committee on Justice as of September 9, 2025. Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Executive Director Erika Dy confirmed at the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum that the process is “scheduled,” but the committee has not set a hearing date yet. SBP says it is staying patient, recognizing that lawmakers are handling other pressing matters before they can calendar Boatwright’s case.
The bill is led in the House by Isabela Rep. Faustino Dy III, the principal author. The effort follows a stop-start path that began in the previous Congress, where the first try stalled as sessions adjourned around the late 2024 government reshuffle and the midterm election cycle. According to sports coverage in BusinessWorld, GMA Integrated News, and ABS-CBN News, there’s no sign of political resistance to the bid; movement depends on committee scheduling and floor time, not on any dispute over Boatwright’s qualifications or Gilas Pilipinas’ need.
Boatwright, 29 years old and 6-foot-10, rose to prominence locally after powering San Miguel Beer to the 2024 PBA Commissioner’s Cup title. He currently plays in Taiwan and remains available to appear when Congress calls. SBP views him as a long-term piece who can join the national pool of naturalized players, a group that has included Justin Brownlee, Ange Kouame, and Jordan Clarkson. With Brownlee now 37, Boatwright offers size, shooting, and years ahead, giving Gilas another path as it plans for FIBA windows, the Asian Games, and future World Cup cycles.
Legislative status and next steps
The present situation is clear: HB 04401 has been re-filed, the process is active, and the next move is the Committee on Justice’s first hearing. From there, the bill must pass readings in the House, be transmitted to the Senate, secure approval in both chambers, and then be signed by the President. This follows the standard Philippine route of naturalization by legislative act, the method used for many athletes who later wore the national jersey.
Key points:
– Status checkpoint: SBP confirms the matter is “scheduled” but not yet calendared for a hearing.
– Procedural path: Committee hearing → House approval → Senate approval → Presidential signature.
– Timing: No official dates. SBP expects movement after Congress finishes more urgent work this session.
The earlier Senate push began with Senate Bill No. 2646, filed in the last Congress by then-senator and now Education Secretary Sonny Angara. That attempt did not reach the finish line before the legislature reset. By re-filing HB 04401 at the opening of the 20th Congress, supporters preserved momentum and signaled that the project remains a priority for the basketball community and its allies in government.
For readers tracking formal steps, bill updates and hearing notices typically appear on the Philippine House of Representatives website. That is where committee schedules and status pages are posted once leadership sets dates.
Inside SBP, the stance is steady. Erika Dy has said the federation understands that the process sits with Congress. SBP is prepared to present its case when invited and will keep Boatwright looped in so he can make himself available for any hearing. Media reports add that there are no new conditions on the player’s part, and no new requirements beyond the standard legislative process.
Why Boatwright matters to Gilas Pilipinas
The heart of this story is not just paperwork. It’s about keeping Gilas Pilipinas competitive while managing age, injuries, and calendar conflicts. Boatwright’s profile—a tall, stretch forward who rebounds and can score from deep—fits modern international play. He also has experience across several leagues: USC in college, the NBA G League, stints in the Philippines and China, and now Taiwan. That background tends to translate well to the physical, tactical style seen in FIBA events.
Important context:
– Gilas is allowed one naturalized player on the active roster in FIBA competitions.
– For years, that slot has been crucial. Brownlee has delivered big moments, but age and health are factors.
– Clarkson brings NBA shot-making but is not always available due to club commitments.
– Kouame offers interior presence with a different skill set.
Adding Boatwright to the pool would:
– Provide size and shooting without displacing existing options.
– Give coaches more matchup-dependent choices based on opponent and schedule.
– Help manage minutes for aging players and reduce overuse risks.
From a planning standpoint, coaches face three simultaneous problems: who is healthy, who is available, and who fits the matchup. A deeper pool addresses all three. If Boatwright secures citizenship, staff can manage Brownlee’s minutes, avoid overuse during tight windows, and still keep a shooter with size on the floor. That’s not just a luxury; it’s a way to protect the long-term health of the program while chasing wins now.
Beyond tactics, there’s continuity value. Slotting Boatwright into training camps early—if the bill advances—would allow coaches to test lineups and define roles well before major events. Analysis by VisaVerge.com suggests national teams that secure paperwork early and build around stable availability tend to perform more consistently from one window to the next. Preparation time matters as much as talent.
There’s also a human dimension. Citizenship-by-law for athletes involves more than a jersey: a formal oath, community commitments, and often years of connection with local fans and teammates. Players who have taken this path speak about deeper ties—learning local customs, investing in grassroots events, and staying engaged after their first national-team cap.
What could derail the timeline?
Realistically, not much beyond scheduling:
– BusinessWorld and other outlets report no unusual hurdles.
– The Committee on Justice needs to set the first hearing; once set, hearings can move fast when stakeholders are aligned.
– SBP’s role: be ready with documentation and testimony.
– Boatwright’s role: attend hearings, answer questions, and show good faith.
Public interest can help. Fans’ informal role has mattered in past cases, with public attention reminding lawmakers that sports bills carry wide community appeal.
Some raise fairness questions about adding another naturalized player. FIBA rules permit one such player on the roster, and many national teams use that slot to fill specific needs in size, shooting, or playmaking. The Philippines has balanced pride in homegrown talent with the practical need to compete against taller, deeper lineups. Success depends on timing, chemistry, and role clarity—reasons why the bill’s careful, steady progress still matters even without headline-grabbing deadlines.
Cross-chamber context and implications
Re-filing at the start of the 20th Congress signaled seriousness. Rep. Faustino Dy III’s authorship provides leadership in the House, while previous Senate interest from Secretary Angara shows cross-chamber roots. That history could help when the bill reaches the Senate, since senators are already familiar with the context and record from the last Congress.
If citizenship is granted in time for a FIBA window:
– Boatwright could join training camp and compete for the lone naturalized slot.
– If not, existing names in the pool remain available.
SBP has said club commitments should not be a barrier once citizenship is granted. Taiwan’s schedule offers enough room for national-team duty when needed, and release agreements can be worked out in advance.
Impact on PBA and local development
A naturalized forward with Boatwright’s size can:
– Free minutes for local guards and wings.
– Help space the floor for big men.
– Force opponent defensive adjustments.
That leads to:
– More competitive scrimmages.
– Sharper scouting and stronger habits in international play.
– Daily standards lifted by a player comfortable with both club and national-team demands.
Next milestones and what to watch
As the 20th Congress moves through its workload, the sports community will watch the Committee on Justice docket. A hearing date would mark the first measurable step forward this session. From there, public records, committee reports, and floor debates will chart the bill’s path.
Expect SBP to brief media quickly and for Boatwright to make himself available if needed once hearings are set.
Until then, stakeholders’ message is steady: the process is active, formal, and pending a hearing. There’s no promise of a date, but there’s also no sign of the bill slipping off the agenda. In a system where timing often decides outcomes, staying ready is the smartest play—for the federation, for Bennie Boatwright, and for Gilas Pilipinas.
This Article in a Nutshell
House Bill 04401 to naturalize American forward Bennie Boatwright has been re-filed in the 20th Philippine Congress and awaits its first hearing before the House Committee on Justice. SBP confirms the process is scheduled but no calendar date exists yet; the bill’s principal author is Rep. Faustino Dy III. Boatwright, 29 and 6-foot-10, gained prominence after leading San Miguel Beer to the 2024 PBA Commissioner’s Cup title and currently plays in Taiwan. The legislative route requires a committee hearing, House approval, Senate concurrence, and the President’s signature. SBP stands ready to present documents and have Boatwright attend hearings. There is no reported political opposition; scheduling is the primary hurdle. If approved in time, Boatwright could compete for Gilas Pilipinas’ single FIBA-allowed naturalized slot, offering size, shooting, and long-term depth as Justin Brownlee ages.
