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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
2nd Regular Session 
House Bill No. 9945 
Introduced by Representative ERIC GO YAP 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The 1987 Constitution highlights sports as a tool for the State to foster patriotism and 
nationalism among its citizens, accelerate social progress, and promote total human 
liberation and development. Sports is an innate part of the Filipino culture where 
Filipino spectators take pride of fellow Filipino athletes who represent the country in 
international competitions. 
As a proactive supporter and listener to the various teams in different fields of sports 
in the country, this Representation has become a first-hand witness of the sacrifices 
and setbacks that the country’s athletes have experienced in competing for any sports 
competition. In fact, in the Lone District of Benguet, this Representation alone has 
witnessed the journey of the province’s athletes who perseveringly and painstakingly 
rose above all challenges just to set foot in the international arena. It is no different 
from the case of the majority, if not all, of the local Filipino athletes.  
A huge portion of them, despite competing internationally, have prioritized earning 
money to fend for their families. Since it is an inherent Filipino value to one’s family, 
most of the local Filipino athletes’ tendencies are to work tirelessly to save enough for 
their families’ future. As a result, the potential of most the country’s athletes is 
redirected on other things, mostly on their jobs and source of livelihood, and not on 
trainings alone out of necessity. Trainings only come secondary on their plate due to 
their responsibility to their families, unlike other full-time international athletes who 
are training 24/7. 
Therefore, it is high time that we reduce the said burden on the athletes’ shoulders 
and grant them the full opportunity to fulfill their dreams for their selves, their 
families, and the country. It is also worth-noting that sports plays a vital role in the 
promotion of our country in the global landscape. The country’s international athletes 
February 19, 2024
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do not only bring honor and glory to the country, but as well as innumerable positive 
implications of being a Pinoy Pride such as the increase in the country’s tourism and 
investments, resulting to economic vibrance in multiple sectors. 
Tantamount to the honor and glory that Professional Filipino Athletes have brought 
to the country are the multitude of sweats and sacrifices just to compete in any 
international sports competition. Thus, in recognition of the said sacrifices and in 
honor of the prestige in representing the country in the international arena, this bill 
seeks to grant full College scholarship to the children of professional Filipino athletes 
who participated in any international professional sports competitions or in other 
equally prestigious international games, irrespective of winning any titles.  
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HON. ERIC GO YAP 


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
2nd Regular Session 
House Bill No. 9945 
Introduced by Representative ERIC GO YAP 
AN ACT 
GRANTING 
FULL 
COLLEGE 
SCHOLARSHIP 
TO 
CHILDREN 
OF 
PROFESSIONAL 
FILIPINO 
ATHLETES 
WHO 
COMPETED 
IN 
INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONAL SPORTS COMPETITIONS OR IN OTHER 
EQUALLY PRESTIGIOUS INTERNATIONAL GAMES AND PROVIDING 
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 “Tertiary Scholarship 
Grant to Children of Professional Filipino Athletes Act of 2024.” 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. The 1987 Constitution provides that the State 
shall give priority to sports in order for the citizens to foster patriotism and 
nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and 
development. Thus, the State shall provide necessary benefits, which include but may 
not be limited to, health, retirement, death, and educational benefits, to professional 
Filipino athletes who competed or shall compete in international professional sports 
competitions or in other equally prestigious world championship games, in both 
individual or team events, in honor of the pride and glory they have brought to the 
country. 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall 
be defined as follows: 
a. Board - shall refer to the Games and Amusement Board (GAB);
b. Filipino Athlete - shall refer to professional athletes who are citizens of the
Philippines, except those enjoying dual citizenship by virtue of R.A. No. 9225
otherwise known as the “Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition Act of
2003”;


 
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c. International Professional Sports Competitions - shall refer to 
international bodies that are reorganized, accredited and have a mutual 
working relationship, agreement, and/or memorandum of understanding 
with the Board;  
 
d. International Sporting Organizations - shall refer to international bodies 
that are recognized, accredited, and have a mutual working relationship, 
agreement, and/or memorandum of understanding with the Board;  
 
e. Other Equally Prestigious International Games - shall refer to other 
international professional sports competitions that confer the same rank or 
stature as International Professional Sports Competitions and are 
recognized as such by the Board;  
 
f. Primary Beneficiaries - for purposes of this Act, shall refer to the legitimate 
spouse and legitimate or illegitimate children of the professional athlete;  
 
g. Professional Athlete - shall refer to any natural person who is paid a sum 
of money or other equivalent compensation as a salary or prize money for 
participating in a game, bout, tournament or contest of professional sport, 
either as an individual contestant or a member of a team, under a contract 
entered into with a professional sports promoter/ operator or team owner 
and licensed by the Board;  
 
h. Professional Sports - shall refer to individual or team sports, games, 
contest, bouts, tournaments or competitions whereby the participating 
athlete is paid sums of money or other forms of compensation as regular 
salary or prize for participation, which are accredited and/or recognized by 
the Board; and  
 
i. Tertiary education – for purposes of this Act, shall refer to a level of 
education pursued beyond high school considered as undergraduate 
credential. 
 
SEC. 4. Educational Benefits to Primary Beneficiaries or Children. Professional 
Filipino Athletes, as defined under this Act, who competed in international 
professional sports competitions and other equally prestigious international games 
shall be qualified to receive the following educational benefits for their chosen 
primary beneficiaries or children: 
 
a. Free tuition and exemption from other fees upon admission to state 
universities and colleges (SUCs) and local universities and colleges (LUCs) 
in the Philippines pursuant to Republic Act 10932 or The Universal Access to 
Quality Tertiary Education Act; and 
 
b. An educational allowance amounting to Twenty-Five Thousand Pesos 
(P25,000.00) per academic year for the whole duration of the beneficiary or 


 
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child’s Tertiary education. Provided, That the primary beneficiary or child 
shall be officially enrolled in any of the country’s state university. Provided 
further, That the Professional Filipino Athlete has not received, is not 
receiving, or will not receive any financial incentive from the government 
which cumulative amount is more than Ten Million Pesos (P10,000,000.00) 
for a period five (5) years prior the enrollment of the primary beneficiary or 
child in Tertiary education; has no declared liabilities; and has not been 
convicted of any crimes involving moral turpitude. 
 
SEC. 5. Claiming of Educational Benefits Upon Death of Professional Filipino 
Athlete. Upon the death of a Professional Filipino Athlete before the primary 
beneficiaries or children become qualified for Tertiary Education, the primary 
beneficiaries or children shall sill be entitled to the educational benefits or scholarship 
grant upon their official enrollment in Tertiary Education programs of any of the 
country’s state university, as stipulated in this Act. 
 
SEC. 6. Appropriations. The Chairman of the Board shall immediately include 
in the Board’s program the implementation of the benefits under this Act, the funding 
of which shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act.  
 
SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Board within ninety (90) 
days, after the effectivity of this Act, through a technical working committee, and in 
consultation with the sectors concerned, shall promulgate and issue the implementing 
rules and regulations for the full implementation of this Act: Provided, however, That 
copies of the formulated rules and regulations shall be submitted to the Committee 
on Games and Amusement of both Houses of Congress. Such rules and regulations 
shall take effect upon publication in a newspaper of general circulation.  
 
SEC. 8. Reportorial Requirements. – The Board shall submit an annual report 
of the implementation of this Act to the relevant committees of both Houses of 
Congress.  
 
SEC. 9. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part of this Act shall be held 
unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of the law or other provisions, which are 
not affected thereby, shall continue to be in full force and effect.  
 
SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. – All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
rules and regulations, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of 
this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.  
 
SEC. 11. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation. 
 
Approved,