Senate Office of the Scretarp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session JAN 26 P12:56 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 1681 Introduced by Senator PIA S. CAYETANO AN ACT GRANTING PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP TO NICHOLAS BUNGAL MARKANICH EXPLANATORY NOTE This proposed bill seeks to grant Philippine citizenship to Nicholas Bungal Markanich, a talented football player with Filipino heritage whose extraordinary goal- scoring ability and determination make him a vital addition to the Philippine men's national football team. Born in Illinois, U.S.A., Markanich's roots are deeply anchored in the Philippines through his mother, who was born and raised in Cavite. Markanich developed his skills across four collegiate seasons at Northern Illinois University, where he appeared in sixty-nine matches and scored thirty-nine goals. Concurrently, he gained experience with Green Bay Voyageurs in USL League Two, where he tallied five goals across fifteen appearances. His professional career began in 2022 when he was selected 30th overall in the Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft by FC Cincinnati, playing for both the first team and their MLS Next Pro second team. In 2023, he joined Charleston Battery in the US Championship and had a remarkable 2024 season, scoring twenty-eight goals, which established a new single- season league record to win the US Championship Golden Boot, which is given to the highest scorer of the league. He finished the year with thirty goals in all competitions and was voted USL Championship Player of the Year. In August 2024, Markanich agreed to a contract with CD Castellón in Spain's Segunda División (LaLiga 2), which
recruited for the Philippine national team in 2024. His twin brother, Anthony Bungal Markanich, is also a professional football player. Markanich has expressed sincere pride in the opportunity to represent the Philippines, viewing it as a meaningful way to honor his family's heritage and contribute to the rising national football program. His professionalism, humility, and proven ability to perform at a high level reflect the character expected of those who carry the national flag, making him a valuable addition to the team as the Philippines seeks to pursue greater success in international football. In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. ra p. Cautano IA S. CAYETAN
Scuate Office of the Sectat - TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session JAN 26 P12:56 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 1681 Introduced by Senator PIA S. CAYETANO AN ACT GRANTING PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP TO NICHOLAS BUNGAL MARKANICH Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
Section 1. Grant of Philippine Citizenship to Nicholas Bungal Markanich. -
2 Nicholas Bungal Markanich is hereby granted Philippine citizenship with all the rights, 3 privileges, and prerogatives, as well as the duties and obligations appurtenant thereto 4 under the Constitution and the laws of the Republic of the Philippines.
Sec. 2. Oath of Allegiance. - Nicholas Bungal Markanich shall take the Oath of
6 Allegiance before an officer duly authorized to administer the same. The Oath of 7 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 Nicholas Bungal Markanich 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,