THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIFPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 
~~ 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VLLAR JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article II, Section 14 provides, "The State recognizes the role of 
women in nation-building, and shall ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women 
and men." In societies like ours, the equality of the sexes should be an old issue not worthy of the 
slightest of attention. But gender discrimination still lives. 
Sports does not only bring people together but also develops other aspects of a person. 
This is not only applicable to men but also holds true for women. There is substantial evidence 
that women and girls who participate in sports have better physical and emotional health than 
women and girls who do not participate, and that participation in athletics can improve academic 
achievement. 
The field of sport was not spared from sex discrimination. Despite the guarantee of the 
Constitution, a significant gap remains between the athletic opportunities available to men and 
the athletic opportunities available to women. This bill seeks to grant women equal sport 
opportunities with men. To level the playing field, so to speak, with regard to the opportunities 
available to women and men in the arena of sports. In a wider perspective, this bill equips 
women with the capacity to play a major role in nation building. 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
- 
SENATE 
s. No. 
.I ‘ 
I
”
 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR JR. 
AN ACT GRANTING WOMEN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO ATHLETIC 
SCHOLARSHIP AND TO PRIZES OF SPORTS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representative in Congress of the Philippines 
Assembled. 
Section 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as the “Sports Equal Opportunity Act.” 
Section 2, Declaration of Policy - It is declared a state policy to recognize the role of 
women in nation-building, and to ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women and 
men. Sport shall not be the last bastion of sex discrimination. Because any kind discrimination is 
repugnant to an orderly society like ours. 
Section 3. Definition of Terms - For purposes of this Act, the terms: 
(A) “Athletic scholarship program” includes all benefits derived from the program 
given by the school, college, university or any other person, party or entity, 
(B) “Sport event or tournament” means any tournament, competition, contest, race, 
match, event or game where a sport prize, as defined in paragraph (E) of this 
Section, is given to winners. 
(C) “Secretary” refers to the Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports. 
(D) “Department” refers .to the Department of Education, Culture and Sport. 
(E) “Sport prize” includes awards, premiums, incentives, rewards, gifts or anything 
given to a winner of a sport event or tournament, whether monetary or not. 
Section 4. Athletic scholarship program - Schools, colleges, universities or any other 
learning institutions shall take into account the gender of its total student population in granting 


athletic scholarship. There shall be pro rata representation of women in the athletic scholarship 
program based on the percentage of women in the whole student population. 
The schools, colleges, universities or any other learning institutions shall submit an 
annual report in writing to the Secretary which contains the following: 
(A) the total number of the student populating; 
(B) a list of athletic scholars; and 
(C) the extent of the scholarship program given to a particular i 
summary on how much was given to a particular scholar. 
dividual, includin a 
Section 5. Right to know - Students of the school, colleges, universities or any 
other learning institutions shall have the right to know the information contained in the annual 
report required by the preceding section. Upon a written request from the student, the colleges, 
universities or any other learning institutions shall furnish the student with a copy of the annual 
report. 
Section 6. Sports prizes - No sport event or tournament will offer or award a different 
sport prize, with respect to its amount or value, to women and men winners. Provided that, the 
said tournament, contest, race, match event or game is open to both sex. Provided further that, 
the sport event or tournament is divided into male and female division. 
Section 7. Rules and Regulations - The Secretary of DECS is hereby authorized to 
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act in 
accordance with its purpose(s). 
Section 8. Penalty - Any violation of this Act shall be punished with a fine of not less 
than P10,OOO.OO but not more than P20,OOO or imprisonment of not less than one (1) month but 
not more that three (3) months or both at the discretion of the court. If the offense is committed 
by a corporation, trust, firm, partnership or association or other entity, the penalty shall be 
imposed upon the guilty officers or officers of such corporation, trust, firm, partnership or 
association or entity. 


Section 9. Separability clause - If any provision, or part hereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
Section 10. Repealing clause - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, 
letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with, the 
s Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
11. Effectivity clause - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
provisions oft! 
Sectior 
publication in 
Appro1 Id,