Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
As of writing, the Philippines has won a total of 14 medals in the Olympics—1 gold, 5 silver and 
8 bronze medals. Four of these medals were won during the recently held 2020 Summer Olympics 
in Tokyo, Japan where he country wrapped its campaign as the top performing Southeast Asian 
country after bagging multiple medals in the Games—a first for the country since 1932. 
Philippines’ historic olympic gold medal was won by Filipina olympian and airwoman Hidiliyn Diaz, 
who also brought home an Olympic silver medal last 2016 Rio Olympics. Meanwhile, the national 
boxing team returned as the most bemedaled team in Tokyo Olympics with Nesthy Petecio 
winning the women's featherweight silver medal (making her the first Filipina Olympic boxing 
medalist), Carlo Paalam taking home the men's flyweight olympic silver medal and Eumir Marcial 
bagging an olympic bronze in the men's middleweight class. 
Indeed, these athletes competing in international sports competitions, bring pride, honor and 
glory to the country through their sterling performances in their respective world stages. They 
serve as inspiaration not only to Filipino athletes but all Filipinos to strive and persevere in their 
respective fields. As such, it is only apt that the State recognize outstanding athletes and to 
provide them with sufficient assistance and benefits that will help them to reach greater heights. 
In this regard, this measure proposes to (1) grant distinctive honors and privileges to Filipino 
sports heroes; and (2) establish the Hidilyn Diaz Endowment Fund which shall be used to provide 
lifetime emoluments to National athletes and support the needs of awardees so they may continue 
to participate in local competitions or represent the country in international competitions.  
On behalf of the people of Parañaque City’s Second District, and for the common good of the 
Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought. 
REP. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING 
2nd District, Parañaque City 
August 20, 2021
6:29 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT  
GRANTING DISTINCTIVE HONORS AND PRIVILEGES TO NATIONAL ATHLETES, 
CREATING A NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FUND FOR SPORTS HEROES, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Bayaning Atletang Pilipino Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the declared policy of the State to promote excellence 
in the field of sports and foster the values of sportsmanship, patriotism, and nationalism to 
support nation-building and development.  
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. – For purposes of this Act, the following terms are hereby 
defined as follows: 
a.
International sports competition shall refer to international sports competitions under
the following categories:
1.
Regular major competitions, such as but not limited to, 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;
2.
World-level championships held at least every two (2) years with at least forty-
five (45) countries participating by sport;
3.
Asian-level competitions held at least every two (2) years with at least twenty-
five (25) countries participating by sport; and
4.
Qualifying competitions for World-level games with at least ten (10) countries
participating;
b.
National Academy of Sports or NAS shall refer to the NAS System established under
Republic Act No. 11470 or any of its existing or future campuses which aims to provide
quality and enhanced secondary education program integrated with a special
curriculum on sports.
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SECTION 4. The Order of National Athletes. – There is hereby established the Order of 
National Athletes (Orden ng mga Pambansang Atleta) which shall be the highest honor the 
Government of the Philippines shall confer to its outstanding sports heroes who have brought 
immense pride and honor to the country and have dedicated their lives towards the advancement 
of their sports.  
 
The Order shall be under the National Orders of Cultural and Scientific Merit pursuant to the 
Implementing Rules and Regulations of Executive Order No. 236, s. 2003. It shall be administered 
by the Komite ng Bayaning Atletang Filipino, otherwise known as the Committee, created under 
Section 8 of this Act, and conferred by the President of the Philippines upon recommendation by 
the Committee.  
 
Olympic medalists shall automatically be conferred :he Order, which shall be retroactive from the 
effectivity of this Act. 
 
Awardees of the Order of National Athletes shall enjoy the following privileges: 
a. 
The rank and title of National Athlete, as proclaimed by the President of the 
Philippines; 
b. 
The National Athlete medallion and citation; 
c. 
Lifetime emolument and material benefits such as: 
1. 
A cash award to be determined by the Committee, net of taxes for living 
awardees; 
2. 
A cash award to be determined by the Co11mittee, net of taxes for posthumous 
awardees and payable to legal heir/s; 
3. 
A monthly life pension and medical and hospitalization benefits; 
4. 
Life insurance coverage for awardees who are still insurable; 
5. 
A place of honor in state functions, national commemoration ceremonies, and 
all other sports and cultural events; and 
6. 
A state funeral, the arrangements for and the expenses of which shall be borne 
by the Government upon the death of the National Athlete. 
 
SECTION 5. The National Medal of Excellence in Sports. – There is hereby established the 
National Medal of Excellence in Sports (Pambansang Medalya ng Katangi-tanging Husay sa 
Isports) for outstanding individual and team achievements in international sports competitions. 
The President of the Philippines shall confer the National Medal of Excellence in Sports upon 
recommendation by the Committee.  
 
SECTION 6. The Balangay Medal for Sportsmanship. – There is hereby established the 
Balangay Medal for Sportsmanship (Gawad Balangay) for heroic sportsmanship shown by athletes 
during international and local competitions exemplifying the values of honesty, fairness, 
selflessness, sacrifice, amity, and goodwill. The President of the Philippines shall confer the 
Balangay Medal for Sportsmanship upon recommendation by the Committee.  
 
SECTION 7. Coaching Excellence Medal. – There is hereby established the Coaching 
Excellence Medal (Gabay ng Atletang Pilipino) for coaches who have gone above and beyond in 
nurturing athletes to reach their full potential and lead the team to victory in international sports 
competitions. The President of the Philippines shall confer the Coaching Excellence Medal upon 
recommendation by the Committee.  


 
SECTION 8. Priority of Awardees and/or their Dependents in the National Academy of 
Sports Scholarship. – Awardees under this Act shall have the option and priority to enroll, on 
a full-scholarship basis, in the National Academy of Sports System Main Campus or any regional 
nationally-funded high schools for sports. In case the awardee has completed his/her secondary 
education, or in the case of a posthumous awardee, his/her legal heir may be prioritized in the 
entry into the National Academy of Sports or any regional nationally-funded high school for sports, 
subject to the requirements and qualifications as may be set by the NAS or the high school 
concerned.  
 
SECTION 9. Komite ng Bayaning Atletang Filipino. – The Committee shall be under the 
Office of the President. The Committee shall be composed of the following: 
a. Chairperson of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), as Chairman; 
b. Secretary of the Department of Education or an authorized representative, as Member; 
c. Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education or an authorized representative, as 
Member; 
d. President of the Philippine Olympic Committee or an authorized representative, as 
Member; 
e. Chairperson of the Athletes' Commission or an authorized representative, as Member; 
f. Chairperson of the National Youth Commission or an authorized representative, as 
Member; and, 
g. Chairperson of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines or an authorized 
representative, as Member. 
 
SECTION 10. Role and Function of the Komite ng Bayaning Atletang Pilipino. – The 
Committee shall approve the criteria, standards, nomination and selection processes, and benefits 
and privileges of the recipients of the awards under this Act.  
 
The Committee shall likewise be the administrator of the Hidilyn Diaz Endowment Fund for Sports 
Heroes.  
 
SECTION 11. Hidilyn Diaz Endowment Fund for Sports Heroes. – There is hereby 
established a Hidilyn Diaz Endowment Fund for Sports Heroes to exclusively fund the benefits 
provided in this Act and support the continuous training of all the awardees and their participation 
or exposure in international sports competitions. 
a. The amount of One Billion Pesos (P1 ,000,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated as seed 
money of the Endowment Fund; Provided, That no grant shall be awarded by the 
Committee except from the interest drawn from the Fund; Provided, further, that no grant 
shall be awarded until after one (1) year from the organization of the Fund; 
b. The private portion of the Fund shall be raised from the donations and other conveyances 
by gratuitous title, including funds, materials, property, and services,; 
c. Contribution to the Fund shall be deductible for income tax purposes in accordance with 
Section 34 (h)(2)(a) of the National Internal Revenue Code; 
d. For the sound and judicious management of the Fund, the Committee shall appoint a 
reputable government-accredited investment institution as Fund Manager, subject to 
guidelines promulgated by the Committee and applicable government auditing and 
accounting rules; 


e. The Committee shall be the administrator of the Fund and shall prepare the implementing 
guidelines and decision-making mechanisms, subject to the following: 
1. 
Unless otherwise stipulated by the private donor, only earnings of private 
contributions shall be used; 
2. 
No part of the seed capital of the Fund, including earnings thereof, shall be 
used to underwrite overhead expenses for administration; 
3. 
The Committee shall organize a separate staff to be headed by a comptroller 
appointed by and directly responsible and accountable to the Committee; and 
4. 
The Fund shall be audited annually by an independent external auditor or the 
Commission on Audit, as may be appropriate. 
 
SECTION 12. Existing Incentives, Benefits, and Privileges. – The incentives, benefits, and 
privileges provided under this Act shall not diminish or affect existing incentives, benefits, and 
privileges provided in existing laws.  
 
SECTION 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Committee shall promulgate the 
implementing rules and regulations (IRR) within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act.  
 
SECTION 13. Appropriations. – The amount of One Billion Pesos (P1,000,000,000.00) is 
hereby appropriated to serve as seed money for the Hidilyn Diaz Endowment Fund for Sports 
Heroes as provided in Section 11 of this Act. The amount necessary for the initial implementation 
of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the PSC. Thereafter, such 
appropriations necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act.  
 
SECTION 14. Separability. – If any provision or part of this Act is declared invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall continue to be in full force 
and effect. 
 
SECTION 15. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, and administrative orders, or 
parts thereof that are inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby repealed or amended 
accordingly.  
 
SECTION 16. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,