( 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.No. 2741 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 17 provides: : 
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MAR lOP 3 :29 
SEC 17. The State shall give priority to education, science and 
technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, 
accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development 
Athletes who engage in contact sport risk their health and sometimes their very lives for 
the nation. The honor that boxing legends such as Manuy Pacquiao, Gabriel "Flash" Elorde and 
the Velasco Brothers, among others, have brought to the country in the international arena should 
not be overlooked. Their achievements placed the Philippines in the world boxing map. We not 
only excel in boxing but in other sports as well. Lydia de Vega, Elma Muros-Posadas, the 
bowling hall-of-famer Paeng Nepomuceno, and the Magician, Efren "Bata" Reyes, to name a 
few, are undeniably world-class talents. The list is endless but our memories are short. 
This problem of apathy to the plight of our world class athletes needs to be addressed. 
This bill, therefore, seeks to grant a monthly pension to former world champions upon retirement 
at age 5 0 or who became incapacitated in pursuing their careers. This bill also shoulders the 
hospitalization, medical expenses and also provides death benefits to these athletes. This bill 
shall give more than lip service to the lives that our athletes have dedicated for our nation. It will 
also serve to encourage our citizens to engage in competitive sports, giving a much-needed push 
to the Philippine Olympic effort. 
This is the Senate counterpart of the substitute bill introduced by Representatives Pedro 
B. Acharon Jr., Jose Carlos L Cari, Mark A. Villar, Mark Aeron R Sambar, Daryl Grace J. 
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Abayon, Raden C. Sakaluran, Bernadette R. Herrera-Dy.and Renato J. Unico, Jr. in the House of 
Representatives. 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENAJ.::a. 
S.No. 
~/41 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
1 
AN ACT 
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'11 
MAR 10 P3 :29 
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GRANTING RETIREMENT, HEALTH CARE AND DEATH BENEFITS TO 
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PROFESSIONAL FILIPINO ATHLETES WHO WIN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES IN 
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INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONAL SPORTS COMPETITIONS OR IN OTHER EQUALLY 
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PRESTIGIOUS INTERNATIONAL GAMES AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be knowr! as the "Professional Filipino Athletes 
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Retirement, Health Care and Death Benefits Act of 20 11." 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall provide retirement, health care, and 
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death benefits to professional Filipino athletes, who win world championship titles in 
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international professional sports competitions or in other equally prestigious world championship 
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games, in both individual or team events, in recognition of the glory and honor they bestowed to 
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their country. 
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SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the term: 
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(a) 
Professional Filipino Athletes - shall refer to athletes who are Filipino citizens 
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and paid a sum of money and other compensation as a salary or prize money for participating in 
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a game, bout, tournament or contest of professional sport, either as an individual contestant or 
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member of a team under a contract entered into with a professional sports promoter/operator or 
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(b) 
Professional Sports - shall refer to individual or team sports, games, contest, 
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bouts, tournaments or competitions whereby the participating athlete is paid sums of money and 
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other forms of compensation as regular salary or prize for participation, which are accredited and 
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recognized by the GAB; 
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(c) 
International Professional Sports Competitions -
shall refer to international 
competitions that confer world championship titles in both individual or team events which are 
duly sanctioned and recognized by international sporting organizations and bodies and accredited 
by the GAB; 
(d) 
Other Equally Prestigious World Championship Games - shall refer to other 
international professional sports competitions that confer the same rank or stature as world 
championship titles and recognized as such by the GAB; 
(e) 
International Sporting Organizations - shall refer to international bodies that are 
recognized, accredited, and have a mutual working relationship, agreement, andlor memorandum 
of understanding with the GAB. 
SECTION 4. Retirement Benefits. - Professional Filipino athletes as defined under this 
Act, who win in international professional sports competitions shall, upon reaching the age of 
fifty (50), receive the following retirement benefits: 
(a) 
For Individual Events - a lifetime monthly pension of at least Fifteen Thousand 
Pesos (PhpI5,000.00) for the individual winner; 
(b) 
For Team Events - a lifetime monthly pension of at least Ten Thousand Pesos 
(PhpIO,OOO.OO) for each team member; 
Provided, That for athletes who win in both individual and team events, the retirement 
benefits for individual events shall apply. 
Athletes who are actively employed at the time they reach the age of fifty (50) and have 
availed of the retirement benefits under this Act may continue with such employment Provided, 
That the retirement benefits under this Act shall be separate and distinct from the mandatory 
retirement benefits provided by existing laws. 
SECTION 5. Health Care Benefits. - Immediately upon winning in any international 
professional sports competitions, professional Filipino athletes shall be covered by the National 
Health Insurance Program of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHILHEAL TH), 
through a special program sponsored by the GAB, which will provide the required local 
government premium counterpart to be directly remitted to the PHILHEALTH. Upon reaching 
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the age of fifty (50), the athlete shall be an honorary member of the program, subject to existing 
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rules and regulations of the PHIL HEAL TH. 
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In case of hospitalization of the professional Filipino athlete in any hospital or clinic, any 
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amount in excess of the PHILHEAL TH benefit shall be shouldered by the Philippine Charity 
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Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) under its Individual Medical Assistance Program (IMAP): 
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Provided, That the requirement for qualification and grant of the health care assistance to be 
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extended by the PCSO shall be made consistent with and subject to compliance with PCSO's 
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existing rules and guidelines: Provided, further, That any qualified beneficiary shall have the 
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option to waive the benefits mentioned under this Section. 
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SECTION 6. Death Benefits. - Upon the death of a professional Filipino athlete, the 
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primary beneficiaries shall be entitled to a lump sum death benefit of Thirty Thousand Pesos 
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(Php30,000.00) to cover funeral services/expenses: Provided, That, if there are no pnmary 
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beneficiaries, the secondary beneficiaries shall be entitled to said benefits. 
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For purposes of this Act, primary beneficiaries shall refer to legitimate spouse, legitimate 
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or illegitimate children. Secondary beneficiaries shall refer to the parents, and in their absence, to 
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the brothers or sisters of professional athletes. 
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SECTION 7. Retroactive Effect. - The benefits provided under this Act shall retroact to 
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all living professional athletes who, prior to the enactment of this Act, have won in any 
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international professional sports competition, upon compliance with the requirements that shall 
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be prescribed by the GAB in its Implementing Rilles and Regulations: Provided, That, the 
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winning professional athlete was duly licensed by the GAB at the time of the completion and the 
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sports event participated in was recognized and accredited by the GAB. 
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SECTION 8. Acijustment of Retirement Benefits. - The adjustment in retirement benefits 
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provided in Section 4 hereof may be authorized, subject to the approval of the President, upon 
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the joint recommendation of the Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) 
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and the Chairman of the GAB, based on studies, consultations and public hearings with relevant 
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agencies, entities and concerned athletes and coaches. However, no memorandum, order or 
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issuance shall diminish the prescribed retirement benefits. 
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SECTION 9. Appropriations. - The Chairman of the GAB shall immediately include in 
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the Board's program the implementation of the benefits under this Act, the funding of which 
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shaH be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act. 
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SECTION 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The GAB, in consultation with the 
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Senate, the House of Representatives, and other concerned agencies, shaH promulgate and issue 
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the Implementing Rules and Regulations within ninety (90) days upon approval ofthis Act. 
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SECTION II. Separability Clause - If any provision or part of this Act shaH be held 
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unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions, which are not affected thereby, shall continue to be 
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in full force and effect. 
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SECTION 12. Repealing Clause. - AHlaws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules 
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and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
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repealed, amended, or modified accordingly. 
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SECTION 13. Effectivity. -
This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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