IMPORT NO MORE. Senator Francis Tolentino (left) administers the oath of allegiance to naturalized Justin Brownlee at the Senate on Monday (Jan. 16, 2023). The American-born Brownlee first came to the Philippines in 2016 as an import for Barangay Ginebra in the Philippine Basketball Association. (PNA photo by Avito Dalan) MANILA - Less than 24 hours after leading Barangay Ginebra to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner's Cup title in his last match as an import, Justin Brownlee swore his allegiance to the Philippines on Monday. As a naturalized Filipino, the 34-year-old Brownlee can now suit up for the national team, starting with the sixth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers in February. Senator Francis Tolentino, Committee on Justice chair, officiated the oath-taking. Brownlee was granted citizenship by virtue of Republic Act 11937, signed by President R. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Jan. 12. Brownlee led Ginebra past Bay Area, 114-99, in the winner-take-
IMPORT NO MORE. Senator Francis Tolentino (left) administers the oath of allegiance to naturalized Justin Brownlee at the Senate on Monday (Jan. 16, 2023). The American-born Brownlee first came to the Philippines in 2016 as an import for Barangay Ginebra in the Philippine Basketball Association. (PNA photo by Avito Dalan) MANILA - Less than 24 hours after leading Barangay Ginebra to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner's Cup title in his last match as an import, Justin Brownlee swore his allegiance to the country on Monday. As a naturalized Filipino, the 34-year-old Brownlee can now suit up for the national team, starting with the sixth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers in February. The Philippines is already qualified for the World Cup final phase in August as one of three co-hosts, the others being Japan and Indonesia. Senator Francis Tolentino, Committee on Justice chair, officiated the oath-taking. Republic Act 11937, signed by President R. Ferdi
(Courtesy of AFP Reserve Command Facebook) SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique - The Philippine Army Reserve Command assured local government units (LGUs) in Antique province that its members are ready to assist them in times of emergency and calamities. Lt. Col. Erwin Ilaya, Officer-in-Charge of the Philippine Army Reserve Command 602nd Community Defense Center (CDC), said around 500 reservists in the province are enhancing their capabilities in responding to emergencies and disasters. "On September 8 and 9, there will be eight reservists who will be sent to Dingle, Iloilo to be trained on disaster response," he said in an interview on Monday. He said they conduct quarterly trainings for reservists considering that Antique is prone to disasters, particularly flooding and landslides. During the onslaught of Typhoon Odette in December last year, the reservists helped residents in the Municipality of Anini-y by clearing roads of felled trees. Maj. Gen. Fernando Felipe, Philippine A