EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S E N A T E
s. No. 
509
y (D lfitr ol l-ii'
------------------------ Ri'Cdr/cn L.
Introduced by Senator PIA S. CAYETANO
T9 
JUL 16 A8 58
AN ACT
PROTECTING THE RIGHT OF ATHLETES TO REPRESENT THE PHILIPPINES 
AS PART OF THE NATIONAL TEAM AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR 
VIOLATIONS THEREOF
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article XIV, Section 19 (1) of the 1987 Philippine Constitution recognizes that 
"the State shall promote physical education and encourage sports programs, league 
competitions, and amateur sports, including training for international competitions, 
to foster self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence for the development of a healthy 
and alert citizenry."
To allow greater access to the untapped pool of gifted individuals and to 
showcase the talents of Filipino athletes to the world, this bill recognizes their right 
to try-out, train, and participate in international sports competitions and represent 
the country as part of the national team.
This bill likewise prohibits and penalizes any act that curtails the right of an 
athlete to try out for, and train with the national team, and thereafter participate in 
international compebtions representing the country.
Through the passage of this bill, nationalism would be promoted and the 
significant role played by athletes in nation-building shall be recognized.
In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
------ET^NO
PIA S. CAYET


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHIUPPINES 
First Regular Session
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S E N A T E
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S. No. 
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JUL 16 
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Introduced by Senator PIA S. CAYETANO
AN ACT
PROTECTING THE RIGHT OF ATHLETES TO REPRESENT THE PHILIPPINES 
AS PART OF THE NATIONAL TEAM AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR 
VIOLATIONS THEREOF
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as the "Athletes' Right to
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Represent the Philippines Act."
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Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policy. -  Section 17, Article II of the Constitution
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provides that the State shall give priority to sports to foster patriotism and
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nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and
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development.
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Further, Section 19 (1), Article XIV of the Constitution provides that "the State
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shall 
promote 
physical 
education 
and 
encourage 
sports 
programs, 
league
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competitions, and amateur sports, including training for international competitions,
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to foster self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence for the development of a healthy
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and alert citizenry." To this end, the State shall recognize, protect, and uphold the
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rights of athletes to represent the country in international sports competitions.
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Sec. 3. Coverage. -  The right granted under this Act shall be enjoyed by all
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Filipino athletes, including those belonging to any athletic association, sports
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organization or club, whether amateur, semi-professional, or professional.
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Sec. 4. Right to Participate in International Competitions. -  It is the right of
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an eligible athlete to try out, train, and participate in international sports
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competitions and represent the country as part of the national team.
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Sec. 5. Duty o f Employers, Educational Institutions, Athletic Associations,
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Sports Organizations and Clubs. -  It is the duty or responsibility of employers,
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educational institutions, athletic associations, sports organizations and clubs,
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whether amateur, semi-professional or professional, and their officials to allow an
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athlete to try out, train, or to participate in international sports competitions:
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Provided, That such decision to represent the country as part of the national team is
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the athlete's own free will.
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Sec. 6. Prohibited Acts. -  Pursuant to the right granted under Section 4 of this
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Act, it shall be unlawful for any person, natural or juridical, to perform the following
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acts that directly or indirectly, induce, threaten, or deny an athlete from participating
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in try outs, training programs, or from representing the country in sports
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competitions:
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(a) For an educational institution or school athletic association to:
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1. Refuse to release a student-athlete to the national team to try out,
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train, or to participate in international sports competitions;
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2. Revoke or withhold the benefits of the scholarship of a student-
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athlete, without cause, which may include the non-payment of
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tuition and other miscellaneous fees covered by the scholarship
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granted, and other monetary and non-monetary benefits;
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3. Give an incomplete grade in subjects which the student-athlete is
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exempted from by virtue of being a student-athlete;
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4. Mark the student-athlete as absent in class for the duration of the
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try out, training, or competition: Provided, That the student-athlete
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must not exceed the number of excused absences allowed;
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5. Disallow a student-athlete to attend trainings, practices, and regular
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games;
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6. Suspend, without cause, a student-athlete from the varsity or
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school athletic association;
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7. Expel, without cause, a student-athlete from the educational
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institution or school athletic association; or
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8. Impose other forms of punishment.


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(b) 
For national sports association (NSA), amateur sport organization or
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club to:
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1. Refuse to release any of its athletes to the national team to try out,
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train, or to participate in international sports competitions;
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2. Withhold, 
without 
cause, 
an 
athlete's 
allowances, 
including
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monetary and non-monetary benefits;
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3. Disallow an athlete from attending trainings, practices, and regular
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games;
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4. Suspend, without cause, an athlete from membership in the NSA,
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sports organization or 
club;
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5. Expel, without cause, an athlete from the NSA, sports organization
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or club; or
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6. Impose other forms of punishment.
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(c) 
For a professional sports organization, club, or employer to:
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1. Refuse to release any of its employee-athletes to the national team
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to try out, 
train, 
or to 
participate 
in 
international 
sports
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competitions;
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2. Withhold, without cause, an employee-athlete's salary, allowances,
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and benefits;
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3. Disallow an employee-athlete from attending trainings, practices
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and regular games;
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4. Suspend, without cause, an employee-athlete from membership in
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the professional organization or club;
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5. Deny an employee-athlete's application for a deserved promotion at
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work;
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6. Forcibly lay off an employee-athlete from work; or
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7. Impose other forms of punishment.
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Sec. 7. Prosecution o f Offenses. -  The commission of any of the acts
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prohibited under Section 6 of this Act shall be prosecuted in the following manner:
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(a) 
Who May File. -  For purposes of this Act, a complaint may be filed
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by an athlete, an athlete's parent or guardian, the concerned NSAs,


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II.
III.
or any person or any entity on behalf of an athlete who may be 
affected by the violation of this Act.
(b) 
Investigation. -  A written complaint for violations of this Act shall be 
filed with the following bodies:
i. 
Philippines Sports Commission (PSC) -  for violations committed in 
relation to amateur sports and NSAs;
Games and Amusement Board (GAB) -  for violations committed by 
professional sports organizations or clubs;
Department of Education (DepEd) or Commission on Higher 
Education (CHED) -  for violations committed by educational 
institutions and school athletic associations; and 
iv. Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)- for violations 
committed in the workplace.
(c) 
Relief. - In case of an unfavourable decision, the complainant may, 
within fifteen (15) days upon receipt of the decision, file a motion for 
reconsideration with the same agency, otherwise, the decision shall be 
final.
Nothing under this section shall prevent the complainant from filing a 
temporary restraining order or any other injunctive relief in court if 
there is no other plain, speedy, and adequate remedy in the ordinary 
course of law.
Sec. 8. Penalties. -  Upon notice and hearing, the PSC, DepEd, CHED, GAB, 
and DOLE, respectively, may impose a fine ranging from One Hundred Thousand 
Pesos (P100,000.00) to One Million Pesos (P1,000,000.00) depending on the gravity 
of the offense, and the suspension of the GAB license or permit, if applicable, for 
violations of this Act.
Availing of remedies under this Act shall not preclude the complainant from 
seeking further recourse from the courts of law.
Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. -  The PSC, GAB, CHED, DepEd, 
and DOLE, in consultation with athletic associations, NSAs, and the Philippine


1 
Olympic Committee, shall issue the implementing rules and regulations of this Act
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within sixty (60) days after its effectivity.
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Sec. 10. Separability Clause. -  If any part or provision of this Act is held
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invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in
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full force and effect.
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Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. -  All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
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letters of instruction, administrative orders, rules or regulations contrary to or
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inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or
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amended accordingly.
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Sec. 12. Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,