REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Senate Pasay City

Journal

SESSION NO. 34 Tuesday, October 12, 2010

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS FIRST REGULAR SESSION SESSION NO. 34 Tuesday, October 12,2010

CALL TO ORDER With 18 senators present, the Chair declared the presence of a quorum. At 3:52 p.m., the Senate President, Hon. Juan Ponce Enrile, called the session to order. Senator Marcos was on official mission abroad.

PRAYER Senator Defensor Santiago was on sick leave.

The Body observed a minute of silent prayer. Senators Angara and Lacson were absent.

SUSPENSION OF SESSION Senator Trillanes was unable to attend the session as he was under detention. With the permission of the Body, the Chair suspended the session. APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL

It was 3:53 p.m. Upon motion of Senator Sotto, there being no objection, the Body dispensed with the reading of the RESUMPTION OF SESSION Journal of Session No. 33 (October 11, 2010) and considered it approved. At 4:00 p.m., the session was resumed with Senate President Pro Tempore Ejercito Estrada REFERENCE OF BUSINESS presiding. The Secretary of the Senate read the following ROLL CALL matters and the Chair made the corresponding referrals: Upon direction of the Chair, the Secretary of the Senate, Atty. Emma Urio-Reyes, called tbe roll, to BILLS ON FIRST READING which the following senators responded: Senate Bill No. 2561, entitled Arroyo, J. P. Lapid, M. 1. M. Cayetano, A. P. C. S. Legarda, 1. AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A Cayetano, C. P: S. Osmefia III, S. R. MANDATORY NATIONWIDE Drilon, F. M. Pangilinan, F. N. CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM IN Ejercito Estrada, J. Recto, R. G. ALL PUBLIC ELEMENTARY Enrile, J. P. Revilla Jr., R. B. SCHOOLS AND BARANGA Y DAY Escudero, F. J. G. Sotto III, V. C. CARE CENTERS, PROVIDING Guingona III, T. D. Villar, M. FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR Honasan, G. B. Zubiri, J. M. F. OTHER PURPOSES P r 644 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2010

Introduced by Senator Legarda Proposed Senate Resolution No. 233, entitled

To the Committees on Educatiou, Arts RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE SENATE and Culture; Health and Demography; and COMMITTEES ON FOREIGN RELA­ Finance TIONS; JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS; AND YOUTH, WOMEN RESOLUTIONS AND FAMILY RELATIONS TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN Proposed Senate Resolution No. 230, entitled AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE REPORTED INCREASING NUMBER RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COM­ OF RAPE AND ABUSE CASES MITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS PERPETRATED AGAINST OVER­ TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN SEAS FILIPINO WORKERS, WITH AID OF LEGIS LA TION, ON THE THE END IN VIEW THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF POLICY IN PROPER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES STRATEGIC AREAS OF PHILIPPINE PROMULGATE POLICIES AND FOREIGN RELATIONS, TOWARDS PROGRAMS THAT WILL MEAN­ AN ENHANCED DIPLOMA TIC, INGFULLY ADDRESS THE ECONOMIC AND SECURITY SORROWFUL PLIGHT OF OUR ENGAGEMENT WITH OTHER WORKERS ABROAD NATIONS AND EFFECTIVE ADHERENCE TO INTERNATIONAL Introduced by Senator Villar COMMITMENTS To the Committees on Labor, Employment Introduced by Senator Legarda and Human Resources Development; and Foreign Relations To the Committees on Foreign Relations; and National Defense and Security Proposed Senate Resolution No. 234, entitled

Proposed Senate Resolution No. 232, entitled RESOLUTION URGING THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND RESOLUTION URGING THE SENATE COMMERCE TO CONDUCT AN COMMITTEE ON TRADE AND ASSESSMENT, IN AID OF LEGIS­ COMMERCE AND OTHER APPRO­ LATION, ON THE COUNTRY'S PRIATE COMMITTEE/S TO CON­ TEXTILE AND GARMENTS SECTOR DUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF VIs-A-VIS THE PREFERENTIAL LEGISLATION, ON THE PROLI­ TREATMENT ACCORDED TO FERATION OF ALMOST REAL-LIFE PHILIPPINE-MADE APPARELS AS TOY GUNS OR REPLICAS AND PROVIDED IN THE SAVE OUR SIMILAR GOODS IN THE LOCAL INDUSTRIES (SAVE) ACT OF THE MARKET WITH THE END-IN-VIEW UNITED STATES WITH THE OBJEC­ OF TIGHTENING THE IMPLEMENT­ TIVES OF INCREASING TRADE, A TION OF RELEVANT LAWS ENHANCING JOB GENERATION AND FORMULATING REMEDIAL AND MAXIMIZING THE FULL MEASURES GEARED AT PROTECT­ POTENTIALS OF THE INDUSTRY ING FILIPINO CONSUMERS AGAINST HAZARDS TO HEALTH AND Introduced by Senator Villar SAFETY To the Committee on Trade and Commerce Introduced by Senator Villar Proposed Senate Resolution No. 235, entitled To the Committees on Public Order and Illegal Drugs; and Trade and Commerce RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE SENATE /if' r TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2010 645

COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT Senate a copy of the Institute's 2009 AND NATURAL RESOURCES Performance and Accountability Report. TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE To the Committee on Labor, Employment REPORTED NEED TO REVIEW AND and Human Resources Development RECOMMEND CHANGES IN THE WATER DISCHARGE PROTOCOL ADDITIONAL REFERENCE OF BUSINESS OF DAMS IN THE COUNTRY COMMUNICATION Introduced by Senator Defensor Santiago Letter from Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa To the Committees on Public Works; and Jr. of the Office of the President of the Environment and Natural Resonrces Philippines, dated 12 October 2010, transmitting to the Senate a certified true copy of Proposed Senate Resolution No. 236, entitled Proclamation No. 50, entitled

RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE SENATE GRANTING AMNESTY TO ACTIVE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND AND FORMER PERSONNEL OF THE FOOD TO CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIP­ IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON PINES AND THEIR SUPPORTERS ENSURING THE COUNTRY'S FOOD WHO MAY HAVE COMMITTED SECURITY AND SUFFICIENCY IN ACTS OR OMISSIONS PUNISH­ LIGHT OF THE NEGATIVE FOOD ABLE UNDER THE REVISED PRODUCTION OUTPUT FOR 2009 PENAL CODE, THE ARTICLES OF DUE TO SEVERE DAMAGES WAR OR OTHER SPECIAL LAWS INFLICTED BY TROPICAL STORMS COMMITTED IN CONNECTION ONDOY AND PEPENG WITH OAKWOOD MUTINY, THE MARINES STAND-OFF AND THE Introduced by Senator Defensor Santiago MANILA PEN INCIDENT AND RELATED INCIDENTS, To the Committee on Agriculture and Food for its concurrence, pursuant to the provisions of Proposed Senate Resolution No. 237, entitled Article VII, Section 19(2) of the Constitution.

RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE To the Committee on Peace, Unification PROPER SENATE COMMITTEE TO and Reconciliation CONDUCT AN INQUIRY, IN AID OF ~EGISLATION, ON THE Upon motion of Senator Sotto, there being no INCREASING NUMBER OF LABOR objection, the Chair also referred the letter from AND HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa to the Committee SUFFERED BY FILIPINO DOMESTIC on Rules. WORKERS IN KUWAIT RESOLUTION Introduced by Senator Defensor Santiago Senate Concurrent Resolution No.3, entitled To the Committees on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development; and CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CON­ Foreign Relations CURRING IN PROCLAMATION NO. 50 OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE COMMUNICA TION REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES DATED 11 OCTOBER 2010 ENTITLED: Letter from the Institute for Labor Studies, DOLE, GRANTING AMNESTY TO ACTIVE dated 27 September 2010, submitting to the AND FORMER PERSONNEL OF THE 646 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2010

ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIP­ Vegetarian Awareness Month. But it is also in PINES AND THEIR SUPPORTERS October that people all over the world observe WHO MAY HAVE COMMITTED the International Breast Cancer Awareness ACTS OR OMISSIONS PUNISH­ Month. This is dedicated to increase awareness on prevention of breast cancer through inform­ ABLE UNDER THE REVISED ation and educational campaigns that reach out PENAL CODE, THE ARTICLES OF to all women throughout the world, emphasizing WAR OR OTHER SPECIAL LAWS the importance of early detection and treatment. COMMITTED IN CONNECTION WITH OAKWOOD MUTINY, THE All, if not most of us, know someone - a wife, a mother, a sister, a daughter, a relative, a MARlNES STAND-OFF AND THE friend or a colleague, all of different ages, social MANILA PEN INCIDENT AND status, and race - who has been fighting breast RELATED INCIDENTS cancer. Women who have breast cancer are everywhere and are, sad to say, increasing. In Introduced by Senator Satta III fact, even if breast cancer is rare among men, breast cancer has now overtaken lung cancer for To the Committee on Peace, Unification both sexes in the Philippines according to the and Reconciliation latest report by the Philippine Cancer Society, the University of the Philippines-Manila and the ADDITIONAL REFERRAL Department of Health. Furthenmore, breast cancer remains the number one cancer killer among Filipino women, accounting for 28% of the Upon motion of Senator Sotto, there being no total cases. objection, the Chair also referred Senate Concurrent Resolution No.3 to the Committee on Rules. What is more alarming is that according to a report from the Philippine Breast Cancer PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY Network, the Philippines now has the highest OF SENATOR PANGILINAN incidence rate of breast cancer in Asia and is also considered to have the 9ili highest incidence rate in the world. One out of four who are Senator Pangilinan asked which of the two diagnosed with breast cancer die within the first committees has primary jurisdiction or whether it five years and no less than 40% die within ten was a joint referral and, if so, which aspects of the years. This is because breast cancer is often concurrent resolution would faU under the purview of detected in its late stages due to low public the Committee on Peace, Unification and Reconcilia­ awareness and lack of information about the tion and the Committee on Rules. disease. Education must playa key factor if we are to Senator Sotto replied that the primary committee win the battle against breast cancer. The import­ would be the Committee on Peace, Unification and ance of breast health and self-breast examination Reconciliation. cannot be overemphasized as these are the keys to surviving this disease. For this reason, women PRIVILEGE SPEECH starting at age 20 are advised to undergo a monthly OF SENATOR CAYETANO (P) self-breast examination one week after her mens­ trual period, including a clinical breast examina­ tion or mammogram at least every three years. Availing herself of the privilege hour, Senator Cayetano (P) delivered a speech underscoring As a preventive measure, mammogram is the importance of breast cancer awareness and also recommended for women over 40 years of prevention. age. This is also recommended for women who have detected a lump on their breast. Medical experts claim that when breast cancer is diag­ The full text of her speech follows: nosed early and treated promptly, the probability that it can be cured is up to 85%. But sadly, RAISING AWARENESS ON BREAST CANCER early diagnosis is the exception. Many women do not know about basic breast examination. Other than the celebration of the Philippine Furthermore, when women do detect a suspi­ Senate's anniversary, this October is also known cious lump, diagnosis and treatment are not JJ' as Children'S Month, Ocean Month, and World always accessible. r TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2010 647

After detecting a lump on one's breast, the changing lifestyles. As such, she urged Senator there are two procedures that a patient under­ Cayetano (P), as well as the other members, to goes - a mammography or ultrasound. The prioritize a measure - pending before the Committee goal of mammography is the early detection of on Health and Demography - which institutionalizes breast cancer, typically through detection of the setting up of mammogram machines in every characteristic masses andlor microcalcifications. regional hospital in the country. She also asked Mammography is believed to reduce mortality from breast cancer and normally costs around Senator Drilon, Chairman of the Committee on P2,000.00. Finance, to appropriate the necessary budget so that mammogram machines could be supplied in areas The other procedure is breast biopsy. This where the disease is prevalent. procedure removes a sample of breast tissue that is examined under a microscope to check for breast cancer. This costs an additional P2,000.00. Relative thereto, Senator Legarda asked whether In government hospitals, payment of such proce­ breast cancer affects all regions of the country or dures depends on the patient's capability to pay. whether the disease is only prevalent in Metro Manila. Senator Cayetano (P) replied that studies Diagnostic tests are more affordable than have shown that there a high incidence of breast breast cancer treatment. For stage I and stage 2 is breast cancer patients, treatment includes surgery cancer in urban areas. which costs aboutPlO,OOO.OO to PlOO,OOO.OO and chemotherapy which costs P5,000.00 per session Senator Legarda expressed her intention to attend or P30,000.00 for six cycles. For stage 3 breast the hearings of the Committee on Health and cancer patients, surgery costs from PlO,OOO.OO, Demography on the issue of breast cancer to elicit to PlOO,OOO.OO but chemotherapy would cost a the assistance of the Department of Health and other patient PlOO,OOO.OO per session or P600,000.00 for active nongovernment organizations in determining six cycles. Lastly, stage 4 patients would also priority areas for the installation of mammogram spend for surgery and chemotherapy. However, machines and other breast cancer detection patients at this stage normally spend more as their medicines are more expensive because the equipment. She hoped that she and Senator Cayetano cancer cells may have spread to the other parts (P) could help convince Senator Drilon to allocate a of the body. portion of the budget for this effort. Senator Cayetano (P) agreed, noting that since this concern is covered Indeed, early detection is the best preven­ under tertiary health care, the national government tion for breast cancer. It is not only cheaper but also has a higher possibility of producing better ought to fund it as most local government units treatment results. could not afford to do so. She stated that local government units could conduct an initial screening Preventive health care is cheaper but it still for breast cancer via barangay health centers in their has costs involved. We, in the Senate, can do area. She informed the Body that she has launched our part in saviug the lives of women by supplementing the budget of health for disease an information campaign on breast cancer awareness prevention and awareness, by providing an instructional DVD on the proper method of conducting a breast examination. Women need not necessarily die of breast cancer. Early detection and treatment can save lives. For her part, Senator Legarda said that her own mother's demise due to breast cancer motivated her We should not waste time. to assist indigent breast cancer victims through the Let us start now for we want our women to Bessie B. Legarda Memorial Foundation which has live their lives to the fullest free from this deadly been conducting free quarterly breast cancer medical disease called breast cancer. missions around the country with the assistance of private hospitals and government medical centers INTERPELLATION OF SENATOR LEGARDA including the East Avenue Medical Center and the Philippine General Hospital. She explained that Preliminarily, Senator Legarda lauded Senator aside from the "Libreng Kapkap, Libreng Biopsy" Cayetano (P) for her timely intervention on such an program which offers free biopsy services, the important issue even as she noted that breast cancer foundation has also been giving away tamoxifen and has overtaken other illnesses as the killer disease for mammogram certificates to poor breast cancer Filipino women due to factors like pollution, diet and victims. She said that the treatments received by#, r 648 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2010

patients during these missions do away with the need reiterated that breast cancer is prevalent in urban for mastectomy which is often the case with patients areas where the lifestyle is more stressful and who have been misdiagnosed or have not consulted the surrounding is more polluted. She bared a medical specialist. that the Philippines has the highest incidence of breast cancer in Asia. She stressed that breast She lamented the fact that many breast cancer cancer does not have to be life-threatening if victims who could have been saved in the early detected early but the Philippines, she bemoaned, stages eventually had the disease metastasize to liver has a low budget for health care, so early detection cancer or other forms of cancer because they neither is not possible. had the capacity nor the resources to go to the right doctors. Asked on the number of women who have the disease, Senator Cayetano (P) adverted to a study She urged the Body, through the Finance that showed a high incidence among sexually inactive Committee, to allocate the necessary funds to the women. She promised to look into the incidence of DOH regional hospitals so that they can purchase breast cancer among men and confirm the study mammogram machines and provide indigent women during the hearing. free mammography. She also called on the Body to enact into law at the soonest possible time the bill she Senator Legarda stated that breast cancer can filed in 2007 and refiled in the 15th Congress on the be prevented if women followed a healthy lifestyle, establishment of breast care centers in every region. for instance, by eating more vegetables, exercising daily and living in a clean environment; and on the Responding thereto, Senator Cayetano (P) medical side, doing weekly self-examination and having lauded Senator Legarda for her advocacy as she annual medical check-ups. Also, she confirmed that expressed hope that the Committee would be able to men can also develop breast cancer, although women schedule a hearing on the issue during the October have greater susceptibility to the disease. With regard break, October being Breast Cancer Awareness to sexual activity being a prevention against breast Month. cancer, she said that it is something that could be discussed in the hearing. Senator Legarda believed that the enactment of the bill into law would be a Christmas gift to women. Asked by Senator Sotto if breast cancer is She acknowledged that its funding poses a problem, prevalent among women who breastfeed, Senator but she believed that it is doable, for instance, by Cayetano (P) replied that breastfeeding contributes putting up breast care centers in certain regions to the prevention of breast cancer. where breast cancer is prevalent, in areas with polluted surroundings and frenetic lifestyle. She stated At this point, Senator Cayetano (P) informed that the Philippine Cancer Society, the DOH, the the Body that she would next deliver a speech on PGH and various women support groups have the the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), which data and can provide the Committee the necessary includes topics on HIV and other sexually transmitted information. She noted that there are millions of disease. She warned that having multiple partners pesos in trust funds that can be tapped and the and irresponsible sex expose people not only to HIV Committee can also look into the PhilHealth coverage but also to other sexually transmitted diseases. for breast check-ups. For her part, Senator Legarda reiterated the INTERPELLA nON importance of the passage of the bill establishing OF SENATOR SOTTO brea~t care centers in regional hospitals.

Asked by Senator Sotto if breast canCer is REFERRAL OF SPEECH limited only to women, Senator Cayetano (P) replied TO COMMITTEE that it is not, but she added that breast cancer in men is rare. Upon motion of Senator Satta, there being no objection, the Chair referred the privilege speech of On whether there is a certain male body type that Senator Cayetano (P) and the interpellations thereon is susceptible to the disease, Senator Cayetano (P) to the Committee on Health and Demography. Hr r TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2010 649

SUSPENSION OF SESSION Senate Bill No. 2559 (Committee Report No.4), entitled Upon motion of Senator Sotto, the session was suspended. AN ACT GRANTING PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP TO MARCUS EUGENE It was 4:34 p.m. DOUTHIT

RESUMPTION OF SESSION Pursuant to Section 67, Rule XXIII of the Rules of the Senate, with the permission of the Body, upon At 4:48 p.m., the session was resumed. motion of Senator Sotto, only the title of the bill was ADDITIONAL REFERRAL read without prejudice to the insertion of its full text into the Record of the Senate. Upon motion of Senator Guingona, there being no objection, the Chair referred Proposed Senate The Chair recognized Senator Zubiri for the Resolution No. 229, authored by Senator Trillanes, to sponsorship. the Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations as the primary committee and the SPONSORSHIP SPEECH Committee on Government Corporations and Public OF SENATOR ZUBIRI Enterprise as secondary committee. Senator Zubiri presented for plenary consideration SECOND ADDITIONAL Senate Bill No. 2559, and forthwith delivered the REFERRENCE OF BUSINESS following speech:

The Secretary of the Senate read Committee Despite the fact that basketball is the Report No.4 on Senate Bill No. 2559 which the acknowledged national pastime of the Philip­ Chair assigned to the Calendar for Ordinary Business. pines, the Philippines for the past few decades has been languishing under the cellar of the Committee Report No.4, prepared by the Committee international basketball competition hierarchy. on Justice and Human Rights on Senate Bill The Filipino people have witnessed the No. 2559, introduced by Senator Zubiri, entitled abrupt fall from grace of the once mighty Philippine national basketball team which has AN ACT GRANTING PHILIPPINE been shrugged off in international competitions CITIZENSHIP TO MARCUS EUGENE by our Asian neighbors who were able to adapt DOUTHIT, to the demands of international competition by naturalizing foreign athletes who were able recommending its approval with amendment, to contribute to the cause of their respective taking into consideration House Bill No. 2307 national teams. The International Basketball Federation or Sponsors: Senators Escudero and Zubiri FIBA, the governing body of internalional basketball competitions, allows naturalized SPECIAL ORDER players to play for the national team of the country which naturalized him/her. Taking cue of Upon motion of Senator Sotto, there being no this development, Our Asian neighbors lost no objection, the Body approved the transfer of time in naturalizing American-born basketball Committee Report No.4 on Senate Bill No. 2559 players to boost their stock in international from the Calendar for Ordinary Business to the competitions, some of which include Jordan, who naturalized Rasheim Wright, JR. Sakuragi Calendar for Special Orders. for Japan, and Jackson Vroman for Lebanon. Said tearns performed well in the FlEA Asia COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 4 Basketball Championships Cup held, last ON SENATE BILL NO. 2559 May 22 to May 30, 2010, where the Philippines finished a dismal 7° place despite fielding a tearn Upon motion of Senator Sotto, there being no composed of the best professional players in the ;JY objection, the Body considered, on Second Reading, country. r 650 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2010

Following the prescribed rules of competi­ in the year 2005 to champions in 2007 in large tion by the FIBA and as part of a sports part due to the contributions of American­ development program to help bring basketball in born athletes Jon Robert Holden and Kelly the Philippines to greater heights, the Samahang McCarthy - who were both naturalized by Basketbol ng Filipinas has done a rigorous issuance of a direct decree by President Vladimir search for a player who would aid the country Putin. Other countries that have naturalized to reclaim its rightful place in international players in national teams are Montenegro, basketball competitions. It is in this purpose that Bosnia, Germany, Bulgaria, Macedonia and other this bill seeks to grant Phlippine citizenship to Asian countries. Marcus Eugene Douthit. Douthit exhibits a life in sports that can be Marcus Eugene Douthit was born on April achieved only with self-discipline and self­ 15,1980, in Syracuse, New York. Having played control throughout the years. His life is also a collegiately for the Providence College, Marcus proof of his reputation of being a true gentleman Douthit was later on selected by the Los Angeles as seen by his adherence to the code of conduct Lakers in the second round, 6" overall, of the and sportsmanship in and out of the court. 2004 National Basketball Association Draft. Douthit, likewise, has accomplished much for Although Douthit never played for the NBA, he himself in the academic field with a degree of played an impressive stint for the Albuquerque Bachelor of Arts, major in Social Science at the Thunderbirds in the NBA Development League Providence College in the United States of during the season 2005-2006. He also played for America. He can measure up to the high competitive leagues in Europe as well. standards that any country could require of its natural~born citizens. He has as well proven in the past his desire and his love for our nation and our colors. He is Marcus Eugene Douthit is in a postion to a man who has stepped up the plate and has make a significant contribution to Philippine fought in many competitions wearing our basketball and Philippines sports and is national colors proudly. accordingly eligible for conferment of the honor of being a Philippine citizen. During the recent 2010 Smart-Philippines Invitational Cup, Mr. Douthit proved to be a In consideration of all the above, we request valuable member of the Smart Gilas Pilipinas tearn the approval of this measure. after averaging 18 points and 10 rebounds that led to the victory over World Charnpionship­ INTERPELLATION bound and Asia's third strongest team, Jordan OF SENATOR CAYETANO (P) National Team. A player who stands 6' II" and plays the center position, Marcus Douthit no At the outset, Senator Cayetano (P) stated doubt can hold his own against other behemoths that she would not question the qualifications of in Asia including those from Iran and China who Mr. Douthit. Instead, she asked which agency was are the top two teams in Asia. Furthermore, his experience and work ethic will contribute lobbying for Mr. Douthit's citizenship. Senator Zubiri immensely to the training and development of mentioned the Philippine Sports Commission, which Filipino basketball players. supervises the national sports association (NSA) for basketball, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas In the past, naturalized athletes have brought (SBP) and the Philippine Olympic Committee, which honor to our country in various international sports events. An example of this is Gillian Akiko recognizes and accredits the NSA' s choice athletes. Thomson, a gold medalist for the Philippine swimming competitions in the 14" Southeast Senator Cayetano (P) expressed concern that Asian games in Jakarta, Indonesia and the 15'h the Philippines has grown accustomed to the practice SEA Games in the Philippines in 1991. Another of naturalizing foreign players. She inquired if the bill example is Christine Jacob-Sandejas, a champion was an ·exception to the rule or if it would become swimmer, a former member of the Philippine the general policy of local sports agencies. swimming team, and a medalist in the Southeast Asian Games. Senator Zubiri replied that such proposals would Recently, the grant of citizenship by specific be made on a case-to-case basis. He stated that decree or legislation has benefited other the SBP has given assurance that Mr. Douthit was countries. An example is Russia, whose stature committed to play for the country and would not in European basketball skyrocketed from 8ili place leave or stop playing for the national team. )II' r TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 201 0 651

Senator Cayetano (P) stressed that she merely draftee and one of the tallest men on the national wanted consistency in the application of the law. team; in fact, he is the leading scorer of the team She acknowledged the merits and problems that averaging 18 to 20 points a game. He believed that could arise from the passage of the measure, and in along with team preparations and strong qualifications such situations, she expressed concern that it could of all the players, Mr. Douthit could definitely be a lead to political patronage insofar as the grantee of positive addition to the team. He gave the assurance the citizenship is concerned. that local players like Chris Tiu and JV Casio would not get sidelined. Being an athlete herself, Senator Cayetano (P) observed that in international events, competing Senator Zubiri further explained that of the 15 countries were represented by athletes who were members in the Philippine Team, 12 are regular formerly citizens of another conntry. She supposed players and three are on the reserve list. He said that this has become a prevailing practice even in that Mr. Douthit was the only foreigner applying for other nations. She expressed hope that the policy Philippine citizenship. wonld be applied consistently, and would not be abused. To the observation that it would be embarrassing for the Philippines to have a foreign player in its For his part, Senator Zubiri noted that African national team, Senator Zubiri recalled that during the athletes have been naturalized in other European time of President Marcos, Ambassador Danding countries so that they could participate in sports like Cojuangco had a development program for basketball triathlon or running. that led to the recruitment of three American players who became naturalized Filipinos. INTERPELLATION OF SENATOR EJERCITO ESTRADA Asked if the Philippines was allowed to have three naturalized players in its team, Senator Zubiri Initially, Senator Estrada Ejercito asked how long replied that FillA allows only one naturalized player. Mr. Douthit has been in the Philippines. Senator Zubiri pointed out that although Mr. Douthit has been Upon further queries, Senator Zubiri stated that in the country for only five months, he has already Coach Toroman, who was at the gallery that time, played for the Philippines in several international was the discoverer of Marcus Douthit. competitions and has blended well with the national team. He explained that Philippine citizenship conld On whether the SBP receives support from the be acquired through judicial, administrative or legis­ PSC, Senator Zubiri stated that it is privately funded lative means. since it was not getting enough support from the commission. Senator Zubiri stated that in Spain, Filipinos living 'in Spain are given one-year resid~ncy in order to be As regards the number of foreign leagues that granted citizenship. He stressed that in the case of the Philippines would palticipate in, Senator Zubiri Mr. Douthit, he had been playing for the national said that the Philippines would join the Asian games team in several international competitions, and that scheduled on November 12, 2010, and the Asian he was not only dedicated to bringing the country all Championships on August 2011. He said that the the way to the Olympics but was willing to stay in country has a strong chance to qualifY for the the Philippines permanently and renounce his Olympics based on the team's victory during the last American citizenship to become a Filipino. MVP tournament and the fact that it finished second to Korea in a recent tournament in China. Asked if Mr. Douthit was ever charged of any criminal offense in the United States, Senator Zubiri Thereafter, Senator Ejercito Estrada expressed replied in the n~gative. his support for the bill.

On whether Mr. Douthit could guarantee to TERMINATION OF THE PERIOD make the Philippines basketball championj!' again in OF INTERPELLATIONS Asia, Senator Zubiri pointed out that Mr. Douthit could contribute a lot, being a former LA Lakers There being no further interpellation, upon motion /I" r 652 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2010

of Senator Sotto, there being no objection, the Body and consequently approved it on Second Reading, closed the period of interpellations. taking into consideration Senate Bill No. 2559.

SUSPENSION OF SESSION SUSPENSION OF CONSIDERATION OF HOUSE BILL NO, 2307 Upon motion of Senator Zubiri, the session was suspended. Upon motion of Senator Sotto, there being no objection, the Body suspended consideration of It was 5:09 p.m. the bill.

RESUMPTION OF SESSION ADJOURNMENT OF SESSION

At 5: 10 p.m., the session was resumed. Upon motion of Senator Sotto, there being no objection, the Senate President Pro Tempore declared ACKNOWLEDGMENT the session adjourned until three o'clock in the OF THE PRESENCE OF GUEST afternoon of the following day.

At this juncture, Senator Sotto acknowledged It was 5:12 p.m. the presence in the gallery of Mayor Rey Uy of . Tagum City. I hereby certify to the correctness of the foregoing. Senate Pro Tempore Ejercito Estrada welcomed the guest to the Senate.

TERMINATION OF THE PERIOD OF AMENDMENTS

There being no committee or individual amend­ ment, upon motion of Senator Sotto, there being no objection, the Body closed the period of amendments.

APPROVAL OF HOUSE BILL NO, 2307 ON SECOND READING

Upon motion of Senator Sotto, there being no objection, the Body concurred in House Bill No. 2307 Approved on October 13, 20 I 0