Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

'Z DATE August 28, 2025

TWENTIETH CONGRESS * TIME 3:56pm *
First Regular Session

House Bill No.4175.

Introduced by HON. JAMES “JOJO” ANG JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The 2024 Summer Olympics held in Paris, France showed the indomitable spirt of
the Filipino people, when it won an unprecedented two (2) gold medals by Carlos
Edriel Yulo, one (1) silver medal by Aira Villegas, and one (1) bronze medal by
Nesthy Petecio. This surpassed the record of the number of gold medals won by the
Philippines in the 2020 Summer Olympics held in Tokyo, Japan, wherein Hidlyn
Diaz won the country’s first gold medal since the inception of the Summer
Olympics.

Many more athletes have brought fame and glory to our country in recent years, in
tournaments and meets outside of the Olympics. Athletes such as Ernest John
Obiena and Maxine Esteban have been trailblazers in sports that are not considered
mainstream in the consciousness of Filipinos. They have proudly held the Philippine
flag and put the world on notice regarding the skills and talents of Filipinos.

Thus, it is the intention of this bill to protect and promote the rights and the interests
of national athletes by ensuring that their rights to due process are protected, and
rules, regulations, and processes which affect them are transparent. This Act
provides much-needed support to the national athletes who devote their productive
years in the service of the country.

BOS CeaGe aiethrngs aN mus! cence ones,
enhancing institutional accountability within the National Sports Ag

‘Thus, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 4175

Introduced by HON. JAMES “JOJO” ANG JR.

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS AND INTERESTS OF
NATIONAL ATHLETES IN THE PHILIPPINES

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 as the “National Athletes’
Rights Protection Act”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote
and develop sports in the Philippines, to encourage participation of aspiring athletes
in sports programs, and to foster a culture of sports excellence, allowing national
athletes to succeed in all international competitions, pursuant to Article XIV, Section
19 of the 1987 Constitution.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purpose of this Act, the following
terms shall be defined as follows:

(@) International Olympic Committee shall refer to the non-profit,
independent international organization that oversees the Olympic Games;

(b) Philippine Olympic Committee shalll refer to the Philippine arm of
the Olympic Movement, that seeks to promote and enforce the Olympic
Charter and the Word Anti-Doping Code, and other decisions of the IOC;

(©) _ International Sports Federations are international non-governmental
organizations recognized by the International Olympic Committee,


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administering sports affiliated to them at a world-level;

(4) National Sports Association (NSA) shall refer to associations duly
accredited by the POC, organized for their respective sports in the Philippines,
and affiliated with their respective International Sports Federations;

(©) National Athletes shall refer to all athletes, whether able-bodied or
handicapped, who are Filipino citizens at the time of their selection as a
National Athlete, who belong to an NSA and have represented or will
represent the Philippines, as recognized by the POC and the Philippine Sports
Commission (PSC);

(National Training Pool Athletes shall refer to all other athletes in the
national team training pool of the NSA;

(g) _ International competitions shall refer to:

i. Regular major competitions such as the Summer Olympic
Games, Winter Olympic Games, Asian Games, Asian Winter
Games, Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, Youth Olympic
Games, Paralympic Games, Asian Park Games, Asian Indoor
and Martial Arts Games, Asian Beach Games and
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Para
Games;

ii, World-level championship held at least every two (2) years,
with at least forty-five (45) countries participating by sport;

iii

Asian-level competitions held at least every two (2) years

with at least twenty-five (25) countries participating by sport;

iv. International competitions organized and sanctioned by the
International Masters Games Association;

v. Other international competitions sanctioned by the
International Sports Federation, wherein at least twenty (20)
countries are participating; and

vi. Qualifying competitions for above international games.

SECTION 4. Due Process. ~ All National and National Training Pool Athletes

shall be entitled to due process at all stages in any matter or proceeding before the


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NSA or any of its governing bodi
National and National Training Pool Athletes shall have the right to be

informed in writing, of any accusation, disciplinary case or investigation against
them by their NSA, and any action or decision thereon. The National and National
Training Pool Athletes concerned shall have the right to a just and impartial hearing,
or right to explain and defend their side. Any action or decision thereon must be in

writing and explain the grounds and bases thereof.

National and National Training Pool Athletes shall have the right to appeal
any decision by the NSA, pursuant to the appeals process outlined in the concerned
NSA’s Handbook.

SECTION 5. NSA Handbook. - All NSAs are hereby mandated to provide its
National and National Training Pool Athletes its Handbook, containing its rules and
regulations and the code of conduct of all stakeholders, such as athletes, coaches,
trainers, sponsors, among others, including disciplinary sanctions for the breach of
the code of conduct.

The Handbook must contain the different processes within the NSA, such as
reporting procedures, filing of complaints and grievances, modes of appealing any
action or decision by the NSA, and any other processes. These processes must comply
with the minimum standards of due process under Section 4. Grievance procedures

must likewise be consistent with the rules of the ISF to which the NSA belongs.

The Handbook must clearly outline the composition of the disciplinary and
appeals panel, which shall be composed of at least one external and independent

member from the NSA concerned.

The Handbook must embody the principles and values of the Olympic

Movement and must comply with all mandates from the POC and the relevant ISF.

AIL NSAs shall make its Handbook readily accessible to the public through its
website or upon request from National and National Training Pool Athletes or their

representative.


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SECTION 6. Selection Procedures. - For every international competition, the
NSA shall provide the Selection Procedures for choosing the athletes for said
international competition. The Selection Procedures must, at a minimum, provide the
following:

(a) The minimum eligibility requirements for a National Athlete to be
considered for the international competition;

(b) The event names, dates, and locations of all tryout events, trials, and
camps to be used as part of the selection process, and detailed description of
how athletes can qualify for these tryout events, trials, and camps;

(©) A comprehensive, step-by-step description of the method that
explains how athletes can be chosen for the said international competition,
including the criteria for selection;

(d) The rationale for utilizing discretionary selection, if selection is not
based purely on rankings or performance;

(c) The grounds for removal of an athlete who had already been
selected to said international competition, the method of informing the
athlete, and the grievance procedure for an athlete who has been removed,
which should follow the minimum due process standards of Section 4; and

(Q The procedure for the selection and approval process for
determining Replacement athletes should a vacancy occur.

‘The Selection Procedures should comply with any mandates of the POC and
the relevant ISF. All NSAs shall provide its athletes with the Selection Procedures at
the beginning of each calendar year, to enable them to adequately prepare. All NSAs
shall also make its Selection Procedures readily accessible to the public through its
website or upon request from an athlete or their representative.

‘The NSA has the right to change any criterion or process under its Selection
Procedures, provided it is clearly communicated to all National Training Pool
Athletes, provided further, that all changes shall only take effect in the calendar year
following its communication to all National and National Training Pool Athletes. It
is the duty of the NSA to inform all National and National Training Pool Athletes all

relevant information on upcoming competitions, including information on which


competitions the NSAs will shoulder costs for.

SECTION 7. Retention Policy. The NSAs shall provide all National and
National Training Pool Athletes with their retention requirements.

Such requirements must include a policy where national athletes who
have been in the National Team or National Training Pool for at least three (3)
years, and who are injured while representing the Philippines, must be retained
in the line-up for at least six (6) months from the date of the injury. If, after six (6)
months, the athlete submits a medical clearance from a competent physician and
returns to training, he/she is entitled to his/her slot in the line-up, without
prejudice to any benefit that may have accrued within said period. Should the
athlete fail to submit a medical clearance, or should he/she be declared unfit to
continue training and competing, the NSA concerned may submit the name of
another athlete in the Training Pool to replace the injured athlete.

SECTION 8. Safe Sport or Safeguarding Policy. To protect and promote
the safety and wellbeing of athletes, and to foster an environment that is fair,
equitable and free from harassment and abuse, the International Olympic
Committee promotes the principle of Safe Sport. This allows athletes to train and
compete in a safe and healthy environment. Pursuant to this, all NSAs are hereby
mandated to have an ethics committee, a committee on decorum and
investigation, and a compliance or audit officer to ensure checks and balances,
and for the athletes to be able to easily identify who to report their complaints or
concerns to, particularly with regard to abuse, maltreatment or harassment. Such
committee must include external and independent persons from the NSA
concerned. It is the duty of the NSA concerned to protect an athlete who reports
any form of abuse, maltreatment or harassment, from any form retaliation, such
as, but not limited to, removal from the roster, suspension, or restricting
competition exposure or playing time. It shall likewise be the duty of the NSAs to
conduct regular safeguarding training for its athletes, coaches, trainers, and other
staff.

SECTION 9. Medical Insurance. - All NSAs shall ensure that all National

and National Training Pool Athletes are covered by medical insurance. Pursuant


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to Republic Act No. 10699, which provides that all national athletes are entitled to
coverage in the National Health Insurance Program of the Philippine Health
Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) through the sponsored program of the PSC,
NSAs shall coordinate with the PSC for the implementation of such program.

In liew of PhilHealth coverage, the NSA may opt to provide group
insurance for all its athletes. NSAs that choose to do so must report its decision to
the PSC, without losing its right to PhilHealth coverage. Pending the
establishment of insurance coverage for said athletes, NSAs shall provide
medical assistance to National and National Training Pool athletes who are
injured while representing the Philippines in International competitions or
training therefor. NSAs must outline the procedure for claiming medical
assistance in its Handbook, including what injuries are covered, how much
assistance will be provided, documentation or other evidence of the injury,
treatment or medication required, the process for claiming and the timeliness of
the release of such assistance. NSAs shall submit annual reports to the PSC on the
implementation of its medical insurance program and other medical assistance.

SECTION 10. Long-term Support of National and National Training Pool
Athletes. ~ National and National Training Pool Athletes shall be entitled to
support from pre-recruitment to post-career stages. Pursuant to this, NSAs shall
provide the following forms of support to National and National Training Pool
Athletes:

(a) Education and skills-training: NSAs shall provide education and
non-sports-related skills training for National and National Training Pool
Athletes, that would equip them with the necessary skills and opportunities
to help them transition into the workforce. NSAs may partner with the
Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education
(CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), or

private entities for such purpose.

(b) Pension for retired athletes: NSAs shall provide pension for its

retired athletes, whether or not they won in international competitions, in a


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reasonable monthly amount. The PSC shall adjust the amount herein stated to
its present value using the Consumer Price Index, as published by the
Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), every three (3) years from the effectivity
of this Act.

(©) Mental health support - NSAs shall have competent and licensed
sports psychologists available to National and National Training Pool
Athletes at all stages of trainings and competitions. NSAs shall cover the
professional fees charged by the sports psychologists. NSAs may partner with
the Department of Health (DOH), private persons or private institutions for
this purpose.

(a) Business support: NSAs shall support National and National
Training Pool Athletes in commercial or business dealings by referring them
to professionals who can properly guide athletes in navigating endorsements,
media exposure, among others.

SECTION 11. Penalties. -

(@) Any person violating Section 4 of this Act shalll suffer the penalty
ofa fine in the amount of One Hundred Thousand Pesos.

(b) Any NSA that fails to provide a National or National Training
Pool Athlete with its Handbook upon request shall suffer the penalty of a fine
in the amount of One Hundred Thousand Pesos to One Million Pesos.

(©) Any NSA that fails to provide its Handbook upon request by any
person shall suffer the penalty of a fine in the amount of One Hundred
‘Thousand Pesos to One Million Pesos.

(d) Any NSA that violates Section 8 of this Act shall suffer the
penalty of a fine in the amount of One Hundred Thousand Pesos to One
Million Pesos.

The penalties herein provided are without prejudice to other sanctions

stated in the NSA handbook and other applicable laws.


SECTION 11. Funding. - The amount necessary for the implementation of
this Act shall be taken from the National Sports Development Fund of the PSC
and the General Appropriations Act.

NSAs may also seek and receive contributions, through sponsorships or
donations, from private or public entities to augment their funds for the
implementation of this Act, subject to the existing rules and regulations of the
Commission on Audit (COA) if applicable.

SECTION 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The PSC, in
consultation with the POC, PhilHealth, the Philippine Social Security System,
DepEd, CHED, TESDA, DOH, the Department of Finance, COA, the Philippine
Amusement and Gaming Corporation, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes
Office, the Office of the President, other government agencies concerned, and at
east three (3) National Athletes, shall promulgate and issue the Implementing
Rules and Regulations of this Act within sixty (60) days upon its approval:
Provided, that the failure of the PSC to promulgate and issue the implementing
rules and regulations will not prevent the implementation of this Act upon its
effectivity.

SECTION 13. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is
declared unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, the remainder of hereof is
declared unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, the remainder of this Act or any
provision not affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 14. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders,
rules and regulations which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SECTION 15. Effectivity. ~ This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days
from its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
circulation