Senate Office of the Secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session JAN 26 P12:54 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 1678 Introduced by Senator PIA S. CAYETANO AN ACT GRANTING PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP TO KAELA DANIELLE MERCADO HANSEN EXPLANATORY NOTE This proposed bill seeks to grant Philippine citizenship to Kaela Danielle Mercado Hansen, a talented central defender with Filipino heritage whose athletic excellence, leadership, and international experience would greatly benefit the Philippine national women's football team, the Filipinas. Born on 13 April 2000 in Vancouver, Canada, Hansen has forged a strong professional career in Europe. She has gained substantial high-level experience with ZFK Spartak Subotica in Serbia, where she played a pivotal role in the club's domestic double, winning both the Serbian Women's Super League and Serbian Cup. Furthermore, she competed in one of football's biggest stages, representing the club in the UEFA Women's Champions League qualifying rounds. Currently, she plays for Association Football Club (AFC) Toronto in the Northern Super League. She first connected with the national team during a 2023 identification camp and has since deepened that involvement by attending the training camp in Manila in February 2025. While born in Canada, Hansen's roots are deeply anchored in the Philippines through her mother, a Filipina born and raised in Pampanga who later acquired Canadian citizenship. Granting Hansen citizenship will cement her eligibility to represent the country at international matches. Her high-level training and international exposure make her
a strong asset to the Filipinas, especially as they continue to build competitiveness on the world stage. In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. ià S. Cantano, LA S. CAYITANO)
Senale Office of the Secetarp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session ) 26 JAN 26 P12:54 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 1678 Introduced by Senator PIA S. CAYETANO AN ACT GRANTING PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP TO KAELA DANIELLE MERCADO HANSEN Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
Section 1. Grant of Philippine Citizenship to Kaela Danielle Mercado Hansen. -
Kaela Danielle Mercado Hansen is hereby granted Philippine citizenship with all the rights, privileges, and prerogatives, as well as the duties and obligations appurtenant 4 thereto under the Constitution and the laws of the Republic of the Philippines.
Sec. 2. Oath of Allegiance. - Kaela Danielle Mercado Hansen shall take the Oath
6 of Allegiance before an officer duly authorized to administer the same. The Oath of Allegiance shall be registered with the Bureau of Immigration.
Sec. 3. Certificate of Naturalization and Enjoyment of Philippine Citizenship. -
9 Upon registration of the Oath of Allegiance, the Bureau of Immigration shall issue a Certificate of Naturalization to Kaela Danielle Mercado Hansen who shall thereupon enter into the full enjoyment of Philippine Citizenship.
Sec. 4. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following
its complete publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,