FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No.. 1638

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Sports, more than a physical game, is a good way of establishing
discipline and building character. With proper disposition, any person engaged
into any sporting activity, as studies suggest, becomes a better individual, not
only physically but even emotionally, intellectually and to a certain extent
spiritually.

Unfortunately, pressures, emanating from sports’ highly competitive
nature and the consequent overzealous desire to win, move an individual to
resort to cheating, such as taking of performance-enhancement drugs, if only to
ensure victory. Suddenly, sports ceases to be a test of endurance but a venue
for dishonesty and fiendish maneuverings.

Although the government expends effort to penalize those athletes found
to be taking performance-enhancement drugs, the same prove futile because
of inability to detect new forms of drugs and who among the athletes are taking
the same.

The purpose of this measure is to direct the Philippine Sports
Commission (PSC) to establish a program to support research and training in
methods of detecting the use of performance-enhancing drugs by athletes.
Through this, the government can finally curb effectively the sad practice of our
athletes and hence, consequently restoring the image of sports as a source of
national pride and not public shame.

Hence, immediate passage of the bill is earnestly sought
©

RUFUS B. RIGUEZ

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

1638

House Bill No.

AN ACT
DIRECTING THE PHILIPPINE SPORTS COMMISSION TO ESTABLISH A
PROGRAM TO SUPPORT RESEARCH AND TRAINING IN METHODS OF
DETECTING THE USE OF PERFORMANCE-ENHANCING DRUGS BY
ATHLETES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Athletic
Performance-Enhancing Drugs Research and Detection Act.”

SEC 2. Research and Detection Programs Established. -

a) IN GENERAL- The Chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission
(PSC), in coordination with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
shall establish and administer a program to support research into the use of
performance-enhancing substances by athletes, and methods of detecting their
use.

b) GRANTS -

(1) IN GENERAL - The program shall include grants of financial
assistance, awarded on a competition basis, to support the advancement and
improvement of research into the use of performance-enhancing substances by
athletes, and methods of detecting their use;

(2) BANNED SUBSTANCES - In carrying out the program, the Chairman
shall consider research proposals involving _ performance-enhancing
substances banned from use by competitors in events sanctioned by
organizations, such as the International Olympic Committee, the Philippine
Olympic Committee, and other bodies.

(3) RESEARCH CONCENTRATION - In carrying out the program, the
Chairman shall -


(A) fund research on the detection of naturally-occurring steroids,
such as testosterone, and other testosterone precursors (e.9.,
androstendione), and other substances, such as human growth hormone
and erythropoietin for which no tests are available but for which there is
evidence of abuse or abuse potential;

(B) fund research that focuses on population studies to ensure
that tests are accurate for men, women, all relevant age, and major
ethnic groups; and

(C) not fund research on drugs of abuse, such as cocaine,
phencyclidine, marijuana, morphine/codeine, _ benzodiazepines,
barbiturates, and methamphetamine/amphetamine.

e) TECHNICAL AND SCIENTIFIC PEER REVIEW-

(1) IN GENERAL- The Chairman shall establish appropriate technical
and scientific peer review procedures for evaluating applications for grants
under the program.

(2) IMPLEMENTATION- The Chairman shall —

(A) ensure that grant applicants meet a set of minimum criteria
before receiving consideration for an award under the program;

(B) Give preference to laboratories with an established record of
athletic drug testing analysis;

(3) CRITERIA - The list of minimum criteria shall include requirements
that each applicant-

(A) Demonstrate a record of publication and research in the area
of drug testing;

(B) Provide a plan detailing the direct transference of the research
findings to lab applications in athletic drug testing; and

(C) Certify that it is a not-for-profit research program.

(4) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There are authorized to
be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to comply with requirements
of this Act.

(8) PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION PROGRAMS

a) IN GENERAL- The Chairman shall develop a grant program to

fund educational substance abuse prevention and intervention programs
related to the use of performance-enhancing substances by high school


and college student athletes. The chairman shall establish a set of
minimum criteria for applicants to receive consideration for an award
under the program. The list of minimum criteria shall include
requirements that each applicant -

1) propose an intervention and prevention program
based on methodologically sound evaluation with
evidence of drug prevention efficacy; and

2) demonstrate a record of publication and research
in the area of athletic drug use prevention.

SEC 3. Separability Clause. - \f any provision or part hereof is held
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provisions not
otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SEC 4, Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed,
modified or amended accordingly.

SEC 5. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.