FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF 
THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 2906 
) 
) 
) 
'11 
JUL 25 P 6 :58 
Introduced by Senator JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article 2, Section 17 of the Constitution provides that the "State shall give priority to 
education, science and technology, art, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, 
accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development." 
Our country has gained as much success as our athletes have when partiCipating in 
international sports. Filipino athletes are a source of national pride. They deserve more than the 
admiration of our citizens. Their efforts should not go unnoticed. 
This bill seeks to provide retirement and health benefits Filipino athletes who have 
brought honor to the country. This bill also provides a monthly pension to former world 
champions as well as hospitalization and medical benefits. This bill will also encourage other 
citizens to join in increasing their overall health through sports and sports competitions. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is sought. 
GGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
Senator 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF 
THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SEN t\..T E;.. 
S.B. No. ~9u6 
'11 
JUL 25 P6:58 
Introduced by Senator JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
GRANTING RETIREMENT INCENTIVE AND HEALTH CARE BENEFITS TO 
PROFESSIONAL FILIPINO ATHLETES WHO HAVE WON WORLD TITLES OR 
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR 
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 "Filipino Professional 
Athletes Retirement Incentive and Health Care Benefits Act of 2011". 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall provide retirement incentive and 
health care benefits to professional Filipino athletes, who win World Titles or 
World 
Championships or equally prestigious world championship games, in both 
individual or team events, in recognition of the glory and honor they earned their country 
and who in their twilight years are unable to provide for themselves and their 
families economically and are marginalized. 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall 
be defined as follows: 
(a) Professional Athlete. - shall refer to any natural person who is paid a sum of 
money and other compensation as a salary or prize money for participating in a 
game, bout, tournament or contest of professional sport, either as an individual 


contestant 
or member of a team 
under a contract entered 
into with 
a 
professional sports promoter / operator or team owner and licensed by the Games and 
Amusements Board (GAB); 
(b) Filipino athlete. - shall refer to professional athlete who is a citizen of the 
Philippines, except those enjoying dual citizenship by virtue of Republic Act No. 9225 
otherwise known as the "Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition Act of 2003"; 
(c) 
Professional Sport. - shall refer to an individual or team sport, games, 
contest, bouts, tournaments or competitions whereby the participating athlete is 
paid sums of money and other forms of compensation as regular salary or prize for 
participation, which are conducted with the required permits duly issued by the 
Games and Amusements Board (GAB); 
(d) 
International competitions. 
- shall 
refer 
to 
international 
sports 
competitions, including Regional Championships, which are accredited and duly 
recognized by the Games and Amusements Board; 
(e) 
Recognized 
sporting 
international 
organizations. 
- shall 
refer to 
international bodies 
that 
are 
recognized, 
accredited, 
have 
mutual 
working 
relationship, agreement, and/or memorandum of understanding with the Games and 
Amusements Board (GAB). 
SEC. 4. Retirement Incentive Benefits. - Professional Filipino athletes who 
have won individual or team world titles / championships in any international 
sports competitions 
duly 
sanctioned 
by 
recognized 
international 
sporting 
organizations and bodies shall receive the following retirement incentive benefits; 
a. Any individual who have won world title/s or championship/s shall 
receive a lifetime retirement incentive of Fifteen 
Thousand 
Pesos (P15,OOO) 
monthly upon reaching the age of fifty (50). 
b. Each member of a team who has won a world title or championship in any 
team sporting event shall receive a lifetime retirement incentive of Ten Thousand 
Pesos (P10,OOO.OO) monthly upon reaching the age of fifty (50). 


Provided, however, that only those athletes who at the time of their 
retirement earns less than the minimum daily wage as prescribed by the National 
Wages and Productivity Commission, shall be entitled to the retirement incentive 
benefits provided herein. 
Provided, further, that athletes who are actively employed upon reaching the age 
of fifty (50) and have availed of the retirement incentive benefits may continue 
with such employment until the mandatory retirement age under existing laws. 
SEC. 5. Health Care Benefits. - A professional athlete who has won in an 
international sports competition shall be covered by the National Health Insurance 
Program of the Philippine Health insurance Corporation (PHILHEAL TH) as provided 
under Republic Act No. 7875, as amended, within two months upon conferment of the 
award. 
In case of hospitalization in any government hospital or clinic, any amount 
in excess of PHILHEAL TH benefit shall be shouldered by the Philippine Charity 
Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), provided that the athlete shall comply with the 
requirement for qualification and grant of health care assistance to be extended by the 
PC SO shall be made consistent with and subject to compliance with peso's existing 
rules and guidelines. 
SEC. 6. Retroactive Effect. - The benefits provided under this Act shall retroact 
to all living professional athletes who prior to the enactment of this Act, have won 
in any international sports event after complying with the requirements that shall be 
prescribed by the GAB in its Implementing Rules and Regulations. Provided that the 
winning professional athlete was duly licensed by the GAB at the time of the completion 
and the sports event participated in was recognized and accredited by the GAB. 
SEC. 7. Adjustment Retirement Incentive Benefits. 
- The 
Games 
and 
Amusements Board is hereby authorized to adjust the retirement incentive 


benefits provided in Section 4 hereof, based on studies, consultations and public 
hearings with relevant agencies and entities. However, no memorandum, order, or 
issuance shall diminish the prescribed retirement incentive benefits. 
SEC. 8. Funding. - The amount necessary for the implementation of the 
retirement incentive benefits shall be taken from the net cash income of the 
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). For this purpose, the 
GAB shall submit to the PAGCOR an annual budget, together with a certified list 
of actual beneficiaries of the program, for the proper disbursement of funds. Such 
funds shall be subject to the usual government accounting and auditing rules and 
regulations. 
The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) shall provide the necessary 
funds as provided under Section 5 hereof. 
The necessary funding for the PHIILHEAL TH coverage of the qualified 
professional athletes shall be charged to the current appropriations of the GAB. 
Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for its continued implementation shall be 
included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations.-
The 
Games 
and 
Amusements Board, in coordination with concerned agencies shall promulgate and 
issue the Implementing Rules and Regulations within ninety (90) days upon approval 
of this Act. 
SEC. 10. Separability Clause. - If any proVision or part of this Act shall be held 
unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions, which are not affected thereby, shall 
continue to be in full force and effect. 


SEC. 
11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive 
orders, rules 
and 
regulations 
or parts thereof which are 
inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least three (3) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,