Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 365

Introduced by Representative Richard 1, Gomez, DPA.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Women’s sports exist to provide fair and safe competition for biological females. Over
the years, great strides have been made to ensure that women and girls are given equal
opportunities in athletics, especially in schools and amateur sports. These categories were
established because of recognized physiological differences between males and females that
significantly impact performance in many sports disciplines.

While we acknowledge and respect the right of individuals to self-identity, it is the
responsibility of the State to ensure fairness, especially in competitive environments where
physical differences can determine outcomes, opportunities, and even safety.

This measure seeks to protect the integrity of female sports by ensuring that only
biological females — those assigned female at birth — arc allowed to participate in women’s and
girls’ sports categories. It does not bar any individual from participating in sports, but rather
ensures that categories created specifically for female athletes remain true to their original
purpose.

This bill is in line with the Constitution’s guarantee of equal opportunity in public
service and education and recognizes the importance of protecting female athletes’ rights to
fair competition.

This proposed legislation takes note that only recently the United Kingdom Supreme
Court has ruled, unanimously, that a woman is defined by biological sex (that is, that the person
was born female) under Britain’s 2010 Equality Act. Similarly, in the United States, President
Donald Trump has issued an executive order entitled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.”
Further, it has been reported that twenty-six (26) states in the U. S. bave laws or policies barring
transgender girls from girls’ school sports.

As this matter is an issue of fairness in women’s sports, the immediate approval of this


+ bill is eamestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BillNo,__ 365

Introduced by Representative Richard I. Gomez, DPA

AN ACT
PROHIBITING THE PARTICIPATION OF NATURAL-BORN MALES IN ANY
FEMALE SPORTS CATEGORIES AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS
THEREOF

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known and referred to as the “Faimess in
Women’s Sports Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote
equality in sports and to ensure fair competition by preserving female athletic competitions for
biological females.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act:

a) Biological Female or Natural-born Female refers to an individual whose biological
sex was determined to be female at birth based on reproductive anatomy and chromosomes.

b) Biological Male or Natural-born Male refers to an individual whose biological sex
was determined to be male at birth based on reproductive anatomy and chromosomes.

c) Female Sports Category refers to any competitive sports classification or event
specifically designated for participation by female athletes.

SEC. 4. Eligibility for Participation. ~ Participation in any female sports category,
whether amateur, collegiate, or professional, shall be exclusively reserved for biological females.

SEC. 5. Verification and Compliance. —


a) Sports organizing bodies, including but not limited to school athletic associations,
national sports federations, and professional leagues, shall adopt policies and procedures to
implement this Act, including but not limited to requiring medical or legal documentation to verify
sex at birth when disputes arise.

b) No participant shall be compelled to undergo medical procedures solely for the purpose
of participation eligibility verification.

SEC. 6. Prohibited Acts and Penalties. —

a) It shall be unlawful for any biological male to knowingly misrepresent oneself as a
biological female for the purpose of competing in a female sports category.

b) Any person or organization found in violation of this Act may be subject to the
following:

- For individuals: Disqualification from the competition, forfeiture of awards, and lifetime
suspension and lifetime ban from all sporting events held in the Philippines.

- For organizers or officials: Administrative penalties, including fines of up to Five
Hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000.00) disqualification from receiving government funding,
disqualification from membership in the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), and cancellation
of the organization’s permits from the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC).

SEC. 7. Protection Against Retaliation. — No person shall be subjected to retaliation or
discrimination for reporting violations of this Act or for asserting rights under this law.

SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity
of this Act, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), in coordination with the Department of
Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), shall issue the necessary
tules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 9. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive orders, administrative orders, rules, and
regulations, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly

SEC. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,