NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE 
S. No. P.121
(Uch &>ti
of lijc £H-<:vftafp
23 MAY-3 PI :34
liliCti .DEV
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING AND ORGANIZING THE PHILIPPINE ELECTRONIC SPORTS 
COMMISSION AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The emergence of electronic sports, popularly known as e-sports, has brought 
about new prominence in recent years, with millions of fans and players worldwide. 
E-sports refer to a type of video game competition in online or streaming platforms 
that involves professional players, individually or by teams, competing against one 
another professionally.
In the Philippines, e-sports is rapidly gaining recognition locally and 
internationally, with National Teams winning international tournaments and regional 
games. In fact in 2019, the country bagged five (5) medals for e-sports in SEA 
Games held in Vietnam. Locally, there have been several e-sports tournaments 
gaining interests of both players and fans, and business partners investing in e- 
sports industry to attract the interest among the youth.
Due to the rapid growth of e-sports industry in the Philippines, a law 
providing assistance and appropriate measures to harness the potential of Filipino 
youth in the e-sports industry is necessary. This may be achieved through the 
establishment of a government body overseeing the e-sports industry.
This bill seeks to establish a Philippine Electronic Sports Commission that will 
have the power to implement uniform rules and policies that will support the


development of e-sports industry, and will secure the necessary financial resources 
for e-sports activities, among others.
Immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
MARK A. VILLAR


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 2121
1^1 Senate
of till’ ^-r^rptfirp
23 may-3 PI :34
RsXElVHD O’
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING AND ORGANIZING THE PHILIPPINE ELECTRONIC SPORTS 
COMMISSION AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the '‘'E-Sports Act of
2 
2023'.
3 
Sec 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to nurture the youth
4 
and assist in harnessing their best potentials in different fields of activities. Pursuant
5 
to this policy, this Act shall implement measures to organize and develop the fields
6 
of e-sports in the country, assist student players by providing support programs, and
7 
establish infrastructure for the culture and industry of e-sports.
8 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
9 
a) E-sports means electronic video games in online or streaming platforms in
10 
which players, individually or by teams, compete with one another for a score
11 
or for victory;
12 
b) E-sports industry means the industry of creating added value with goods and
13 
services related to e-sports;
14 
c) E-sports player rc\eans a person registered with an e-sport organization;
15 
d) E-sports organization means a corporation or organization established for the
16 
purpose of engaging in activities or a business relating to e-sports;


1 
e) E-sports facilities means stadiums, gadgets, equipment, machineries and
2 
other facilities for e-sports.
3 
Sec. 4. Establishment of Philippine Electronic Sports (E-sports) Commission
4 
(PESC). - The Philippine Electronic Sports (E-sports) Commission is hereby
5 
established as the governing body to organize, oversee and monitor e-sports
6 
activities in the country. It shall be an independent body from the existing Philippine
7 
Sports Commission.
8 
Sec. 5. Board of Trustees. - The PESC shall be administered by a Board of
9 
Trustees hereinafter referred as the Board, to be composed of the following:
10 
a) Secretary of the Department of Education, as Chairperson;
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b) Secretary of the Department of Tourism, as Vice-Chairperson;
12 
c) Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications
13 
Technology;
14 
d) Chairperson of the Commission of Higher Education;
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e) Chairperson of the Philippine Sports Commission;
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f) Two representatives from the private sector; and
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g) Chairperson of the Philippine E-sports Commission.
18 
The member of the Board enumerated in subparagraphs (f) and (g) shall be
19 
appointed by the President of the Philippines.
20 
The appointive members of the Board shall serve for four (4) years and may
21 
be reappointed for a second-term, unless sooner removed for a cause.
22 
Sec. 6. Powers and Functions. - In order to achieve the purposes of this Act,
23 
the Board shall have the following powers and functions:
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a) Serve as the national sports association for e-sports and the sole-
25 
accrediting body of e-sports organizations;
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b) Formulate and implement uniform policies, rules and format for e-sports
27 
activities in the Philippines;
28 
c) Establish a master plan for the medium and long-term development of e-
29 
sports;
30 
d) Promote international tournaments and events relating to e-sports and
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international cooperation and exchange in sports;


1 
e) Promote scientific activities for e-sports and the creation of the
2 
infrastructure therefor;
3 
f) Secure financial resources for the development of e-sports;
4 
g) Establish an e-sports industry support center which shall extend
5 
counseling services, among others;
6 
h) Come up with mechanisms promoting a well-balanced family-education-e-
7 
sports of the student players; and
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i) Select individuals, organizations, enterprises, etc., that have significantly
9 
contributed to the development of e-sports to reward them for their
10 
contributions.
11 
Sec. 7. Organizational Structure and Staffing Pattern. - The Board shall
12 
determine the organizational structure and staffing pattern of the PESC subject to
13 
the evaluation by the Civil Service Commission and of the Organizational Position
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Classification and Compensation Bureau of the Department of Budget and
15 
Management.
16 
Sec. 8. Chairperson of PESC. - The PESC shall be headed by a Chairperson
17 
who shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines for a term of four (4)
18 
years and may be reappointed for a second term.
19 
The Chairperson shall have the following powers and functions:
20 
a) Execute the policies, rules and format approved by the Board and be
21 
responsible for the efficient discharge of management and operational
22 
functions;
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b) Submit for the consideration and approval of the Board proposed
24 
measures, policies, and rules as deemed necessary or proper for the
25 
effective implementation of the purposes and objectives of the Act;
26 
c) Represent the PESC in all dealings with other persons or entities, whether
27 
domestic or foreign, and whether government or private; and
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d) Exercise other functions and powers and perform such other duties as
29 
may be vested or reposed by the Board.
30 
Sec. 9. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of
31 
this Act shall have an independent line item in the annual General Appropriations Act
32 
(GAA).


1 
Sec. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - Within sixty (60) days
2 
from the effectivity of this Act, the Chairperson of the Philippines Sports Commission
3 
(PSC), in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of
4 
Tourism (DOT), Department of Information and Communications Technology
5 
(DICE), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and other concerned agencies,
6 
shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations and other issuances as may
7 
be necessary to ensure the effective implementation of this Act.
8 
Sec. 11. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is
9 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the portions or provisions which are not affected
10 
shall continue to be in full force and effect.
11 
Sec. 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, issuances,
12 
rules and regulations which may be inconsistent with any of the provisions of this
13 
Act, are hereby deemed repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
14 
Sec. 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
15 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspaper of general
16 
circulation in the Philippines.
Approved,