NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
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SENATE
S. No. _.^L9
Ifc'll S>Euate
7 Iffiff oftlje
72 il13 P5:26
REC^VEB ffV:
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
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." This constitut'onal mandate, among others, recognizes the vital role 
of training and participating in international competitions as a means to contribute to 
nation-building. Filipino athletes who represent the country in various world 
tournaments have this distinct opportunity to give pride and honor to the country.
However, there have been instances wherein Filipino athletes were prevented 
from representing the country as part of the national team. Despite the athletes' 
decision, dedication, and hard work to tryout, train, and possibly qualify and 
participate in international competitions, they were not given the chance to play under 
our country's flag, due to the prohibition of theT National Spohs Associations (NSA), 
professional sports organizations, or education or school athletic associations. The 
government has been developing a systematic grassroots program that would properly 
identify and select athletes, and develop them to become world-class elite athletes. 
As such, an athlete should be unequivocally allowed to try out, train, and participate


in tournaments to become national athletes, and eventually represent the Philippines 
in international competitions. An Athlete's right to decide for his or her career path in 
sports, whether as a professional or national athlete, or both, should be recognized 
and protected.
This bill was originally drafted by the undersigned, together with former 
Congresswoman Chiqui Roa-Puno, during the 17th Congress. This proposed measure 
will allow greater access to the untapped pool of exceptionally gifted individuals who 
have demonstrated the potential of excelling in the field of sports and allow them to 
showcase the talents of Filipino athletes to the world. This bill also recognizes their 
right to try-out, train, and participate in international sports competitions and 
represent the country as part of the national team. In light of the relevant events in 
Philippine sports, 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 competitions i epresenting the country. Through the passage of this 
bill, sports excellence would be promoted and the significant role played by athletes 
in nation-building shall be fully recognized.
In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill Is earnestly sought.
PIA S. CAYEfANC^^


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
s. No. 559
of tlj?
JUL 13 P5 26
mmmm
Introduced by Senator PIA S. CAYETANO
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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 of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall oe known as the "Athletes' Right to 
Represent the Philippines Act"
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Section 17, Article II of the Constitution provides 
that the State shall give priority to sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, 
accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development. 
Further, Section 19 (1), Article XIV of the Constitution also 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. Towards this end, the State shaii recognize, protect, and uphold the 
rights of eligible athletes to try out, train, participate and represent the country in 
international sports competitions.
Sec. 3. Coverage. - The right granted under this Act shall be enjoyed by all 
Filipino athletes, including those belonging ::o any athletic association, sports 
organization, or club, whether amateur, semi-professional, or professional.
Sec. 4. Right to Participate in International Competitions. - It is the right of an 
eligible athlete to try out, train, and participate in international sports competitions 
and represent the country as part of the national team.
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Sec. 5. Duty of Employers, Educational Institutions, Athletic Associations,
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Sports Organizations and Clubs. - It is the iuty or responsibility of employers,
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educational institutions, athletic associations, sports organizations and clubs, whether
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amateur, semi-professional or professional, and their officials to allow an athlete to
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try out, train, or to participate in international sports competitions: Provided, That
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such decision to represent the country as part of the national team is the athlete's
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own decision.
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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 tryouts, trainir.g programs, ^^r from representiiig the country in spoils competitions:
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a. For an educational institution or school athletic association to:
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i. Refuse to release a student-athlete to the national team to try
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out, train, or to participate in international sports competitions;
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ii. 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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iii. 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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iv. 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-
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athlete gave notice and shall not exceed the number of excused
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absences allowed;
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V. Disallow a student-athlete to attend trainings, practices, and
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regular games;
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vi. Suspend, without cause, a student-athlete from the varsity or
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school athletic association;
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vii. Expel, wxhout cause, a student-athlete fromi the educational
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institution or school athletic association; or
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viii. Impose other forms of punishment.
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b. For national sports association (NSA), amateur sport organization or club


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to:
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i. Refuse to release any of its athletes to the national team to try
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out, train, or to participate in international sports competitions;
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ii. 
Withhold, without cause, an athlete's allowances. Including
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monetary and non-monetary benefits;
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Hi. 
Disallow an athlete from attending trainings, practices, and
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regular gsmes;
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iv. 
Suspend, without cause, an athlete from membership in the NSA,
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sports organization or club;
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V. 
Expel, without cause, an athlete from the NSA, sports
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organization or club; or
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vi. Impose other forms of punishment.
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c. For an amateur or professional sports organization, club, or employer
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to:
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i. Refuse to release any of its employee-athletes to the national
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team to cry out, train, or participate in international sports
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competitions;
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ii. 
Withhold, without cause, an employee-athlete's salary,
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allowances, and benefits;
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iii 
Disallow an employee-athlete from attending trainings, practices,
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and regular games;
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Iv. 
Suspend, without cause, an employee-athlete from membership
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in the professional organization or club;
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V. 
Deny an employee-athlete's application for a deserved promotion
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at work;
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vi. 
Forcibly lay off an employee-athlete from work; or
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vli. 
Impose other forms of punishment.
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Sec. 7. Prosecution of Offenses. -The commission of any of the acts prohibited
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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 by an
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athlete, an 
athlete's parent or guardian, 
the concerned NSAs, or any
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person or any entity on behalf of an athlete who may be affected by 
the


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violation of this Act.
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b. 
Investigation. - A written complaint for violations of this Act shall be filed
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with the following bodies:
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i. 
Philippines Sports Commission (PSC) - for violations committed
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in relation to amateur sports and NSAs;
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ii. 
Games and Amusement Board (GAB) - for violations committed
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by professional sports organizations or dubs;
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iii. 
Department of Education (DepEd) or Commission on Higher
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Education (CHED) - for violations committed by educational
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institutions and school athletic associations; and
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iv. 
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)- for violations
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committed in the workplace
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c. 
Relief. - In case of an unfavorable decision, the complainant may, within
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fifteen (15) days upon receipt of the decision, file a motion for
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reconsideration with the same agency, otherwise, the decision shall be
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final.
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Nothing under this section shall prevent the complainant from filing a temporary
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restraining order or any other injunctive relief in court if there is no other plain, speedy,
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and adequate remedy in the ordinary course of law.
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Sec. 8. Penalties. - Upon notice and hearing, the PSC, DenEd, CHED, GAB, and
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DOLE, respectively, may impose a fine ranging from One Hundred Thousand Pesos
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(PhP100,000.00) to One Million Pesos (Php 1,000,000.00) depending on the gravity
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of the offense, and the suspension of the GAB license or permit, if applicable, for
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violations of this Act.
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Availing of remedies under this Act nhai not preclude the complainant from
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seeking further recourse from the courts of law.
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Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The PSC, GAB, CHED, DepEd,
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and DOLE, in consultation with athletic associations, NSAs, and the Philippine Olympic
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Committee, shall issue the implementing rules and regulations of this Act within sixty
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(60) days after its effectivity.
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Sec. 10. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is held invalid
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or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force


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and effect.
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Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
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letters of instruction, admin'strative orders, rules or regulations contrary to or
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inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended
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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,