BI gives Asi one more week

Asi Taulava was given a one-week reprieve to present his mother at the Bureau of Immigration to prove his claim that he has a Filipino lineage.

The BI deferred its decision on Taulava's case after his lawyer submitted to the immigration board of commissioners a medical certificate attesting that his mother was sick and couldn't travel to the Philippines in time for yesterday's hearing.

The BI also deferred its decision on the cases of Sonny Alvarado and James Wallkvist while giving certification of recognition to Nick Belasco.

Immigration Commissioner Rufus Rodriguez said the case against Belasco was dropped after his mother Aunita Brijala Bayaca appeared at yesterday's hearing and testified that she was still a Filipino at the time her son was born in Stockton, California in 1973.

The BI board even found out that Mrs. Belasco remains a Filipino up to present although she was born in Wyoming in 1943 to a Filipino father who was only naturalized as an American in 1951.

Rodriguez explained that under the 1935 Constitution, those whose fathers are Filipino citizens at the time of their birth are recognized as Filipinos. Thus, he said Belasco's mother possesses dual citizenship since she was born in the United States which follows the jus soli principle in granting citizenship.

The BI, however, couldn't say the same of Taulava, Alvarado and Wallkvist.

The BI board reset the hearing of Taulava's case to Feb. 2 which, according to Rodriguez, is the last and final extension that would be given to the Fil-Tongan player.

Taulava had claimed that his mother Paulina Hernandez hails from San Jose, Samar and that she was still a Filipino when he was born. Although Taulava submitted documents proving her mother's Filipino citizenship, Rodriguez said the board wanted to hear her testimony to erase doubts regarding her Filipino lineage.

The BI board, meanwhile, deferred its decision on the cases of Alvarado and Wallkvist pending submission of additional documents.

Both Alvarado and Wallkvist were given until Friday to submit authenticated copies of their birth certificates which they have to secure from the US Embassy in Manila.