Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Fifteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 939

Introduced by Representative Mark Sambar

AN ACT
GRANTING CASH AND NON-MONETARY BENEFITS AND INCENTIVES TO NATIONAL ATHLETES,
INCLUDING DIFFERENTLY-ABLED ATHLETES AND THEIR COACHES AND TRAINERS, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE CERTAIN SECTIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NUMBER NINETY HUNDRED AND
SIXTY FOUR, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “NATIONAL ATHLETES, COACHES AND TRAINERS
BENEFITS AND INCENTIVES ACT OF 2001”
AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

One of the most overlooked means to help ensure our country’s development is through the promotion of
sports, With most of government budgets allotted to education, health, and infrastructure, sports has usually
taken a backseat in favor of "more important’ matters, With the recent success of our very own sports
heroes, sports has proven itself to become a vital too! in motivating the Filipinos not only to strive harder for
a beller life and become healthy and alert citizens, but more so in providing that much needed boost for our
country's pride and honor. When our Filipino sports heroes excel and win in the international arena, they
provide immediate fulfilment and delight to our people who feel proud and happy to be a Filipino, whether
they are here or abroad,

No less than our 1987 Constitution highlights the importance of promoting a healthy and alert citizenry.
Sports, as a way of life, will create more awareness on the need for a healthy and active lifestyle, Starting
physical fitness and sports education at the most formative and early stages of our children and youth

lessens their chances of becoming susceptible to illegal drugs, alcohol and other life-threatening vices and
dishonest choices,

Government should have institutionalized by now a genuine program that can assure their legacy and justly
reward them for their struggles in their altempts to give honor and pride to our country and people.
Unfortunately, we stil need to amend the law passed in 2001 providing benefits and incentives {o athletes
and coaches as these are sil not enough! We constantly tell them, “hindi puwede ang puwede na" and that
they must meet if not surpass our expectations of them but even the basic benefits and incentives we
provide them fall short of their expectations,

One of the goals of the PBA Partylist is to ensure the legacy of the Filipino athlete; to make being an athlete
rewarding; fo make being an athlete once again an honor, We must collectively aim to create a brighter
future for the Filipino athletes and their families, as well as their coaches. How? By first making sure that
our athletes and coaches can concentrate and focus on this herculean task.


We must not allow them to feel insecure and worry about their present well-being as well as think about
their uncertain future, The optimism is immense in that if the Filipino athlete is not distracted by basic mal-
ters of feeding his family, putting their children through school and dealing with matters that only make their
focus wane, the Filipino alhlote will achieve what many think is an improbable goal.

ur national athletes and coaches, including those differently-abled athletes, therefore, must be likewise
given the all-out support, protection and just compensation in recognition of all the hard work they put in, not
only by the Government, but by all stakeholders as well. They have given their utmost best for the country
and in return, we can only equally accord them our utmost best as well!

We need"to, therefore, include other basic assistance for our national athletes such as inclusion in
Philhealth’s insurance, retirement benefits, at least double the monetary cash incentives, include differently.
abled athletes, their coaches and trainers, as well as incentives for the private sector who will provide
discounts and prizes for them, and provide sanctions, among others. They deserve the additional benefits
and incentives enumerated in this measure, considering the valuable and critical role they play in our
society. Through their example, Govemment can more elfectively promote the moral values, discipline and
numerous benefits inherent in the practice of sports for all.

Another important reason why we need fo pass this urgent legislation for our athletes and coaches is 10
help them increase their chances to win more medals in intemational competitions, particularly our coun-
try’ first-ever Olympic gold medal. tis only through the proper recognition of ther talent, time and effort
that the Fiipino athlete can further aspire to always be on top of their game at all times, thus giving the
Philippines better chances to achieve higher accolades in the intemational arena,

‘The PBA Parlylist shares in the excitement of the gold hunt for this elusive and distinct honor, but we will
first need the support of all legislators in making this dream become a reality through the passage of this bill
granting cash and non-monetary benefits and incentives to national athletes, including differently-abled
athletes and their coaches and trainers, amending for this purpose certain sections of Republic Ac No.

9064, otherwise known as the “National Athletes, Coaches and Trainers Benefits and Incentives Act of
2001"

The PBA Partylist will always be there for the Filipino athlete, in triumph and in defeat. We can only suc-
ceed, however, with the full support and cooperation of all stakeholders involved. As an initial and crucial
step, we therefore urge all members of Congress to give prioity to these noble intentions by immediately
passing this vilal measure, not only for the sake of our deserving national athletes and coaches, but more
so for our country's future generations who will reap the long-term benefits even beyond our expectations.

Mabuhay ang ating mga A\tletang Pilipino!

Keke :
/ fo
KK SAMBAR:

Representative /PBA)Parly-ist


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Fifteenth Congress
First Regular Session

939

HOUSE BILL NO. _

Introduced by Representatives Mark Sambar and Manny Pacquiao

AN ACT GRANTING CASH AND NON-MONETARY BENEFITS AND INCENTIVES TO NATIONAL
ATHLETES, INCLUDING DIFFERENTLY-ABLED ATHLETES AND THEIR COACHES AND TRAINERS,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE CERTAIN SECTIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NUMBER NINETY
HUNDRED AND SIXTY FOUR, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “NATIONAL ATHLETES, COACHES AND
TRAINERS BENEFITS AND INCENTIVES ACT OF 2001” AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 9064, otherwise known as “ National

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2 Albletes, Coaches and Trainers Benefits and Incentives Act of 2001" is

3. hereby amended to read as follows:

4 "Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall

5 be defined as follows:

6 (a) National Athletes - shall refer to athletes who are Filipino citizens, members
Ki of the national training pool, recognized and accredited by the Philippine
8 Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC),

kg INCLUDING DIFFERENTLY-ABLED ATHLETES WHO ARE RECOGNIZED
10 AND ACCREDITED BY THE NATIONAL PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE

a0 PHILIPPINES (NPC PHIL) AND THE PSC and who have represented the

12 country in international competitions;

13 (b) National Coaches and Trainers - shall refer to coaches and trainers OF

14 NATIONAL ATHLETES who are Filipino citizens, members of the national

15 coaches and trainers pool, recognized and accredited by the PSC and who

16 have represented the country as official coaches and trainers to national

7 athletes in international competitions;

18 (c) International Competitions - shall refer to international sports competitions
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which are sanctioned by the Intemational Olympic Committee (IOC) OR BY


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THE INTERNATIONAL PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE (IPC), INCLUDING OTHER INTERNATIONAL
SPORTS COMPETITIONS TO BE DETERMINED BY THE PSC, POC AND NPC PHIL. [ or held every four
(4) years including qualifying championships in team sports wherein only one (1) or two (2) countries may
qualify for the Olympics or world Championships]. ”

X xX Xx

SEC 2, Section 4 of the same Act is hereby further amended to read as follows:
“Sec 4, Benefits and Privileges for National Athletes, Coaches and Trainers. - Any national athlete, coach and
trainer who is currently registered as such before the PSC shall be entitled to the following:

(a) the grant of twenty percent (20%) discount from all establishments relative to
the utilization of transportation services, hotels, and other lodging
establishments, restaurants and recreation centers and purchase of medicine
and sports equipment anywhere in the country FOR THE EXCLUSIVE USE OR
ENJOYMENT OF THE NATIONAL ATHLETE, COACH AND TRAINER;

(b) minimum of twenty percent (20%) discount on admission fees charged by
theaters, cinema houses and concert halls, circuses, camivals, and other
similar places of culture, leisure and amusement FOR THE EXCLUSIVE USE
AND ENJOYMENT OF THE NATIONAL ATHELETE,COACH AND TRAINER;

G

free medical and dental consultations in [private or public] GOVERNMENT
hospitals and similar establishments anywhere in the country [and medical

insurance program o be provided by the Philippine Health Insurance
Corporation (PHIC) };

(C-1) COVERAGE IN THE NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM (NHIP) OF THE PHILIPPINE
HEALTH INSURANCE CORPORATION (PHILHEALTH) THROUGH THE SPONSORED PROGRAM BY
THE PSC: PROVIDED, THAT UPON REACHING THE AGE OF FIFTY-FIVE (55), THE ATHLETE, COACH
AND TRAINER SHALL BE HONORARY MEMBERS OF THE PROGRAM, SUBJECT TO EXISTING
RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE PHILHEALTH;

@ xX ‘xX x

@ xX x Xx

xX xX Xx
[Such privately owned establishments shall enjoy tax credits equivalent to the discounts extended to the
athletes] TO PROVIDE INCENTIVES TO PRIVATE ESTABLISHMENTS FOR GIVING DISCOUNTS TO
NATIONAL ATHLETES, COACHES AND TRAINERS, ALL PARTICIPATING ESTABLISHMENTS MAY

CLAIM THE COST AS TAX DEDUCTION: PROVIDED, THAT SUCH TAX DEDUCTION SCHEME SHALL.
BE DETERMINED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE.”



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SEC 3, Section 5 of the same Act is hereby further amended to read as follows:
* Sec, 5. Scholarships - A national athlete who wins GOLD in an international competition, or HIS OR HER
QUALIFIED SPOUSE OR ANY ONE OF HIS OR HER CHILD. [any one qualified member of his | her
immediate family within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity] shall be entitled to scholarship benefits in the
form of FULL tuition fees in state colleges and universities in order to complete a college or university degree
The winning national athlete shall likewise be given priority in the availment of state college and university
scholarship grants.”
xX x
x Xx

x x

SEC 4. Section 6 of the same Act is hereby further amended to read as follows:

“Section 6. Retirement Benefits. - A national athlete [,coach and trainer ] who wins GOLD in an international
competition [ or has coached or trained such winning athlete shall receive a lump sum amount equivalent to
twenty-five percent (25%) of this/her total cash incentives computed from the start of his/her active sports
career as member of the national training pool or national coaches and trainers pool up to the last day of
fetirement from active competition or training as certified by the PSC. Such lump sum amount shall be
extended sixty (60) days after the filing of the retirement papers.] , UPON REACHING THE AGE OF FIFTY-
FIVE (55), SHALL RECEIVE THE FOLLOWING RETIREMENT BENEFITS:

A. FOR INDIVIDUAL EVENTS - A LIFETIME MONTHLY PENSION OF AT LEAST
TWENTY THOUSAND PESOS (P20,000.00) FOR INDIVIDUAL WINNER;

B. FOR TEAM EVENTS - A LIFETIME MONTHLY PENSION OF AT LEAST FIFTEEN
THOUSAND PESOS (P15,000.00) FOR EACH TEAM MEMBER.

PROVIDED, THAT, FOR ATHLETES WHO WIN IN BOTH INDIVIDUAL AND TEAM EVENTS, THE:
RETIREMENT BENEFIT FOR INDIVIDUAL EVENTS SHALL APPLY.

ATHLETES WHO ARE ACTIVELY EMPLOYED AT THE TIME THEY REACH THE AGE OF FIFTY-FIVE
(55) 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 UNDER EXISTING
LAWS, “

SEC 5. Section 8 of the same Act is hereby further amended to read as follows:
“Sec. 8. Cash Incentives for National Athletes. - National athletes who win gold, silver and bronze medals in

international competitions shall be entitled to cash awards in the following amounts:



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A. INDIVIDUAL EVENTS
(a) For gold medalists:
(1) x xX XxX
Q x x Xx
@ xX x xX
(4) (One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00}] TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (P200,000.00)
for Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games)
(b) For silver medalists:
WX x x
Q x x x
8) xX x x
(4) [Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00)] ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (P100,000.00) for the
SEA Games
(c) For bronze medalists:
“) xX xX x
Q x x x
(3) [ One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) | TWO HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P250,000)
for Asian Games; and

(4) [ Ten thousand pesos (P10,000) | TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (P25,000) for the SEA Games.

B. TEAM EVENTS
x x x

For competitions with five (5) or more participants per team, { the team shall receive twice the cash awards for
individual winners , to be divided equally among the team members actually present during the competition)
EACH TEAM MEMBER SHALL RECEIVE CASH AWARD EQUAL TO THE SHARE OF EACH TEAM
MEMBER FOR COMPETITIONS WITH FOUR (4) PARTICIPANTS”

Provided, That, for demonsiration and exhibition sports events in the Olympic Games, winning national
athletes shall receive filly percent (50%) of the cash awards for Olympic medalists as herein provided:
[Provided; futher, That for SEA Games monetary incentives shall be given starting 2001. to the winning

athletes or teams who have equaled or surpassed the existing game records or the previous placings in non-
measurable events.)



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SEC. 6. Section 9 of the same Act is hereby further amended to read as follows:

“ Sec. 9. Benefits, Privileges and Incentives for Past Achievers. - Any national athlete who, prior to the
enactment of this Act, had won gold, silver or bronze medals in international competitions except SEA Games
OR ITS EQUIVALENT INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION, shall be entitled to the benefits and privileges
provided under Section 4 and fifty percent (50%) of the cash incentives provided under Section 8 of this Act.
Such incentives shall be the difference between the cash award received under Administrative Order No. 352
OR FROM OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES and the cash award provided under this Act. "

SEC 7. Section 10 of the same Act is hereby further amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 10. Incentives for Coaches and Trainers. - Coaches and trainers shall also be entitled to cash awards if
they have personally trained and rendered service to the athletes or teams WHO WIN IN INTERNATIONAL
COMPETITIONS at least [ one (1) year | SIX (6) MONTHS prior to the international competition. Certification
to this effect by the individual athlete or team [captain] MANAGER FOR TEAM EVENTS shall be in writing,
DULY ATTESTED BY THEIR RESPECTIVE NATIONAL SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS (NSAs).

x. xX XxX

There is hereby created a body to be known as the Philippine Coaches Accreditation Council that shall
accredit and recognize coaches and trainers. It shall be composed, among others, of representatives from the

PSC, POC, NPC PHIL and the academic community, preferably a professor in physical education or sports
science.”

SEC. 8. New sections between Sections 10 and 11 of the same Act are hereby inserted to be denominated as
follows:

“SEC 10-A. AVAILMENT OF BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES - THE ABOVE-MENTIONED BENEFITS AND
PRIVILEGES SHALL BE AVAILED BY ATHLETES, COACHES AND TRAINERS UPON PRESENTATION
OF AN IDENTIFICATION CARD, RENEWABLE EVERY YEAR, TO BE ISSUED BY THE PSC.

PROVIDED, THAT, ATHLETES WITH DISABILITIES SHALL NOT AVAIL OF SAID BENEFITS AND
PRIVILEGES IN COMBINATION WITH SIMILAR BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES UNDER RA 9442
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE MAGNA CARTA FOR DISABLED PERSONS.

SEC 10-B. Penalties. - (A) ANY PERSON WHO VIOLATES SECTION 4 (a) and (b) OF THE SAME ACT
‘SHALL SUFFER THE FOLLOWING PENALTIES:



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(1) FOR THE FIRST VIOLATION, A FINE OF NOT LESS THAN FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P50,000) BUT
NOT EXCEEDING ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (P100,000) OR IMPRISONMENT OF NOT LESS
THAN SIX (6) MONTHS BUT NOT MORE THAN TWO (2) YEARS, OR BOTH AT THE DISCRETION OF
THE COURT; AND

(2)FOR ANY SUBSEQUENT VIOLATION, A FINE OF NOT LESS THAN ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND
PESOS (P100,000) BUT NOT EXCEEDING TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS (P200,000) OR
IMPRISONMENT FOR NOT LESS THAN TWO (2) YEARS BUT NOT MORE THAN SIX (6) YEARS, OR
BOTH.

(B) ANY NATIONAL ATHLETE, COACH OR TRAINER WHO ABUSES THE PRIVILEGES GRANTED
HEREIN SHALL BE PUNISHED WITH IMPRISONMENT OF NOT LESS THAN SIX (6) MONTHS OR A FINE
OF NOT LESS THAN FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (P5,000), BUT NOT MORE THAN FIFTY THOUSAND
PESOS (P50,000), OR BOTH, AT THE DISCRETION OF THE COURT.

(C) IF THE VIOLATOR IS A CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP OR ANY JURIDICAL PERSON, THE
PENALTY SHALL BE IMPOSED UPON THE PRESIDENT, OWNER OR ANY RESPONSIBLE OFFICER.

(D) IF THE VIOLATOR IS AN ALIEN OR A FOREIGNER, HE SHALL BE DEPORTED IMMEDIATELY
AFTER SERVICE OF SENTENCE WITHOUT FURTHER DEPORTATION PROCEEDINGS,

UPON FILING OF AN APPROPRIATE COMPLAINT, AND AFTER DUE NOTICE AND HEARING, THE
PROPER AUTHORITIES MAY ALSO CAUSE THE CANCELLATION OR REVOCATION OF THE
BUSINESS PERMIT, PERMIT TO OPERATE, FRANCHISE AND OTHER SIMILAR PRIVILEGES GRANTED
TO ANY BUSINESS ENTITY THAT FAILS TO ABIDE BY THE PROVISIONS OF THE LAW.”

SEC. 9. Funding. The amount necessary for the implementation of the cash incentives and retirement
benefits under this Act shall be taken from the net cash income of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming
Corporation (PAGCOR), to be remitted directly as a special account to the National Sports Development Fund

(NSDF) of the PSC. This is in addition to the regular income share of the PSC pursuant to Republic Act No.
6847,



Such amount as may be necessary to carry out the other provisions of this Act shall be included in the budget
of the PSC in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law and thereafter.

SEC, 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The PSC, in consultation with the POC, NPC PHIL,
DEPED, CHED, TESDA, SENATE, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, and other concemed agencies shall

promulgate and issue the Implementing Rules and Regulations within sixty (60) days upon approval of this
Act,

SEC 11, Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act, or the application thereof to any person or
circumstances, is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining sections of this Act or the application of such
provision or part hereof to other persons or circumstance shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least two (2)
newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.