DOJ okay with Blatche's Filipino citizenship

 

In a legal opinion, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said there is currently no "legal impediment" that would stop the American basketball star from acquiring Filipino citizenship.

 

"We have conducted a records check on Mr. Andray Blatche. Based from the records of the National Prosecution Service, the National Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Immigration, there appears no record on file, derogatory or otherwise, concerning Mr. Blatche," De Lima said in her legal opinion issued on Monday, but obtained by reporters Wednesday.

 

Congress has already passed the bill granting Filipino citizenship to the American basketball player. The naturalization bill needs President Benigno Aquino III's signature before Blatche officially gets his Filipino citizenship.

 

Blatche is scheduled to play for the Philippine team in Spain, and at the Asiad Games shortly afterwards, before returning to the US.

 

In her legal opinion addressed to Michael Aguinaldo, deputy executive secretary for legal affairs in Malacañang, De Lima said the DOJ recognizes Congress' authority to grant citizenship to foreigners like Blatche.

 

"Please be informed that this department participated in the committee hearings when the bill was deliberated in both houses of Congress. As we have stated in those hearings, this department recognizes the power and prerogative of Congress to bestow Philippine citizenship to foreign nationals," De Lima said.

 

"We find no legal impediment to the grant of Philippine citizenship to Mr. Andray Blatche," the Justice secretary added.

 

Blatche arrived in the country on Sunday and gave a short press conference on Tuesday during the Meralco-Rain or Shine PBA game at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

 

"It's great. It's truly a blessing to come out here... It was no tough decision. The opportunity that I'm receiving to come out here and represent the Philippines is something that people only wished for," Blatche said. —NB/AMD, GMA News