NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 1R77
^gcssr (©fficf of llir 4& •nrtnrjp
23 JAN 12 P6^)5 
A
RECEIVED BV;
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
GRANTING DISTINCTIVE HONORS AND PRIVILEGES TO NATIONAL 
ATHLETES, CREATING A NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FUND FOR SPORTS 
HEROES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Filipino athletes continued to succeed and shine in international arena. Like in 
previous year, a number of Filipino athletes competed under the national flag and won 
medals, which are undoubtedly a source of national pride.
Behind these successes and achievements are the hardships and dedication 
that every athlete exerted to bring honor to the country. Thus, in recognizing the 
contribution of these exceptional athletes, this bill seeks to grant distinctive honors 
and privileges to them. This bill likewise seeks to establish National Endowment Fund 
for Sports Heroes. Its mandate is to exclusively fund the benefits provided in this Act 
and to support the continuous trainings of all the awardees and their participation or 
exposure in international competitions.
In light of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
MARK A. VILLAR


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 1677
of iljc
23 JAN 12 P6«5
RHCElVr'D BY,
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
GRANTING DISTINCTIVE HONORS AND PRIVILEGES TO NATIONAL 
ATHLETES, CREATING A NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FUND FOR SPORTS 
HEROES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. - This act shall be known as the" Bayaning Atietang
2 
Filipino Act"
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to promote
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excellence in the field of sports and foster the values of sportsmanship, patriotism,
5 
and nationalism in order to support nation-building and development.
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Sec. 3. The Order of National Athletes. -There is hereby established the Order
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of National Athletes (Orden ng mga Pambansang Atleta) which shall be the highest
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honor the Government of the Philippines shall confer to its outstanding sports heroes
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who have brought immense pride and honor to the country and have dedicated their
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lives towards the advancement of their sports.
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The Order shall be under the National Orders of Cultural and Scientific Merit
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pursuant to Executive Order No. 236, S. 2003. It shall be administered by the Komite
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ng Bayaning Atietang Filipino, otherwise known as the Komite, created under Section
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6 of this Act, and conferred by the President of the Philippines upon recommendation
15 
by the Committee.


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Awardees of the Order of National Athletes shall enjoy the following privileges;
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a.) The rank and title of National Athlete, as proclaimed by the President of the
3 
Philippines;
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b.) The National Athlete medallion and citation;
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c.) Lifetime emolument and material benefits, such as:
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1.) A cash award to be determined by the Committee, net of taxes for living
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awardees;
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2.) A cash award to be determined by the Committee, net of taxes for
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posthumous awardees, payable to legal heir/s;
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3.) A monthly life pension and medical and hospitalization benefits;
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4.) Life insurance coverage for awardees who are still insurable;
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5.) A place of honor in state functions, national commemoration
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ceremonies, and all other sports and cultural events; and,
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6.) A state funeral, the arrangements for and the expense of which shall be
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borne by the Government, upon the death of the National Athlete.
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Sec. 4. The National Medal of Excellence in Sports. - There is hereby
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established the National Medal Excellence in Sports (Pambansang Medalya ng Katangi-
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tanging Husay sa Isports) for outstanding individuals and team achievements in
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international sports competitions. The President of the Philippines shall confer the
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National Medal of Excellence in Sports upon recommendation by the Committee.
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Sec. 5. The Balanga Medal for Sportsmanship. -There is hereby established the
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Balangay Medal for Sportsmanship (Gawad Balangay) for heroic sportsmanship shown
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by athletes during international and local competitions exemplifying the values of
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honesty, fairness, selflessness, sacrifice, amity and good will. The President of the
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Philippines shall confer the Balangay Medal for Sportsmanship upon recommendation
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by the Committee.
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Sec. 6. Komite ng Bayaning Atletang Filipino. — The Komite ng Bayaning
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Atletang Filipino shall be under the Office of the President, and shall be composed of
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the following:
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a.) Chairperson of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), as Chairman;


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b.) Secretary of the Department of Education or an authorized representative,
2 
as Member;
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c.) Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education or an authorized
4 
representative, as Member;
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d.) President of the Philippine 
Olympic 
Committee or an authorized
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representative, as Member;
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e.) Chairperson of Athletes' Commission or an authorized representative, as
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Member;
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f.) Chairperson of the National 
Youth 
Commission or an authorized
10 
representative, as Member;
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g.) Chairperson of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines or an
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authorized representative, as Member.
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For the purposes of this Act, all authorized representatives shall have at
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least a rank of Assistant Secretary.
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Sec. 7. Role and Function of the Komite ng Bayaning Atletang Filipino. - The
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Komite shall approve the criteria, standards, nomination and selection processes, and
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benefits and privileges of the recipients of the awards under this Act.
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Sec. 8. National Endowment Fund for Sports Heroes. - There is hereby
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established a National Endowment Fund for Sports Heroes to exclusively fund the
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benefits provided in this Act and to support the continuous trainings of all the
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awardees and their participation or exposure in international competitions.
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a.) The amount of One billion pesos 
(P1,000,000,000.00) is hereby
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appropriated as seed money of the Endowment Fund: Provided, That no
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grant shall be awarded by the Komite except from the interest drawn from
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the Fund: Provided, further. That no grant shall be awarded until after one
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(1) year from the organization of the Fund;
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b.) Government corporations are hereby authorized to give grants to the Fund
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at their discretion, but not to exceed fifteen percent (15%) of their
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unimpaired surplus;


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c.) The private portion of the Fund shall be raised from the donations and other
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conveyances, including funds, materials, property, and services, by
3 
gratuitous title;
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d.) Contribution to the Fund shall be deductible for income tax purposes in
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accordance with the provisions of Section 34 (h)(2)(a) of the National
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Internal Revenue Code, as amended;
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e.) For the sound and judicious management of the Fund, the Committee shall
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appoint a reputable government-accredited investment institution as Fund
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Manager, subject to the guidelines promulgated by the Komite;
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f.) The Committee shall be the administrator of the Fund, the Committee shall
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appoint a reputable government-accredited investment institution as Fund
12 
Manager, subject to the guidelines promulgated by the Komite;
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1.) Unless otherwise stipulated by the private donor, only earnings of
14 
private contributions shall be used;
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2.) No part of the seed capital of the Fund, including earnings thereof,
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shall be used to underwrite overhead expenses for administration;
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3.) The Committee shall organize a separate staff to be headed by a
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comptroller appointed by and directly responsible and accountable to
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the Komite; and
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4.) There shall be an external auditor that will perform an annual audit
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of the Fund's performance.
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Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations- Within ninety (90) days from the
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effectivity of this Act, the Komite shall promulgate the rules and regulations for the
24 
effective implementation of this Act.
25 
Sec. 10. Appropriations. - The amount of One billion pesos
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(P1,000,000,000.00) to serve as seed money of the National Endowment Fund for
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Sports Fleroes as provided in Section 8 of this Act is hereby appropriated. The amount
28 
necessary for initial implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current
29 
year's appropriations of the Philippine Sports Commission. Thereafter, such
30 
appropriations necessary for the continuation and enhancement of the program shall
31 
be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.


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Sec. 11. Separability. - If any provision or part of this Act is declared invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall continue to be in 
full force and effect.
Sec. 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, administrative orders, 
and parts thereof inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby repealed or 
amended accordingly.
Sec. 13. Effectivity Clause. -This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
following its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of 
general circulation.
Approved,