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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 924 
Introduced by Hon. Bernadette S. Barbers 
AN ACT ALLOWING THE INTERMENT OF FILIPINO SPORT HEROES AT THE 
LIBINGAN NG MGA BAYANI 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill is a refiled version of a measure that was extensively deliberated and 
approved on third reading during the previous Congress. 
“Sports stars become heroes when they are admired for their athletic 
accomplishments. As a society, we yearn to feel a connection to them, bask in their 
success, and pattern our lives after them.”1 
Filipino sports icons have this amazing, unique way of making a positive impact 
in our society. They are our source of inspiration and strength in direst situations and 
served as   good role models, especially to the youth.  
With their incredible achievements that brought honor to our country, they 
deserve a spot at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. 
As such, this bill seeks to allow the interment of our sport heroes at the Libingan 
ng mga Bayani in recognition of their enormous work, dedication and sacrifices they 
have endured to bring pride and honor to our country. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is hereby sought. 
HON. BERNADETTE S. BARBERS 
  2nd District, Surigao del Norte 
1 Joseph Hastings, “The Impact of Sports Heroes’ Rise and Fall on Today’s Society”, December 13, 
2022, accessed at http://pitt-narr-and-tech.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-impact-of-sports-heroes-rise-and.html 
July 1, 2025
3:04 pm


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. 924
Introduced by Hon. Bernadette S. Barbers 
AN ACT ALLOWING THE INTERMENT OF FILIPINO SPORTS HEROES AT THE 
LIBINGAN NG MGA BAYANI 
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 “Commemoration of 
Filipino Sports Heroes Act”. 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State 
to honor and perpetuate the memory of the Filipino sports heroes who have led lives 
worthy of inspiration and emulation of this generation and of generations still to come. 
In recognition of their dedication and sacrifices for the country, the State shall 
allow deceased sports heroes who during their time brought honor and glory to the 
country be laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. 
SEC. 3. Sports Heroes. – Sports heroes as used in this Act shall refer to 
Filipino national athletes, amateur or professional, including athletes with disabilities, 
who have distinguished themselves in their particular field of sports, possessed good 
moral character and integrity, represented and brought honor and glory to the country 
by winning any medal in the Olympics or Paralympic Games or a World Championship 
in any professional sports competition sanctioned by any of the international governing 
bodies of various sports, and recognized as such by the Philippine Sports Commission 
(PSC) and Games and Amusements Board (GAB). They also refer to any Filipino 
athlete, coach, or trainer who were inducted into the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame 
pursuant to Republic Act No. 8757, entitled: “An Act Establishing the Philippine Sports 
Hall of Fame and Appropriating Funds Therefor”. 
Sports heroes must be citizens of the Philippines either from birth without 
having to perform any act to acquire or perfect their Philippine citizenship, or those 
who are former Filipino citizens by birth who are naturalized in another country but re-
acquired Philippine citizenship making them dual citizens of both the Philippines and 
the country where they were naturalized pursuant to Section 4 of Republic Act No. 
9225, otherwise known as the “Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003”. 
SEC. 4. Interment at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. – Filipino sports heroes 
as defined in Section 3 hereof shall, upon the recommendation of the screening 


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committee established under Section 5 of this Act, be eligible for interment at the 
Libingan ng mga Bayani.  
 
SEC. 5. Screening Committee. – A screening committee shall be established 
by the PSC to determine and recommend qualified Filipino sports heroes which shall 
be comprised of the following:  
 
a) Chairperson:  
Chairperson of the PSC;  
 
b) Vice Chairperson:  
Chairperson of the GAB; 
 
c) Members:  
 
i) 
President of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC); 
ii) 
President of the Philippine Paralympic Committee (PPC); 
iii) 
Chairperson of the Philippine Olympians Association (POA);  
iv) 
Head of the Grave Service Unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines 
(AFP); and  
v) 
Chairpersons of the Senate Committee on Sports and the House of 
Representatives Committee on Youth and Sports Development. 
 
The screening committee, upon determination of the eligibility of the deceased 
sports hero, shall issue a certificate of eligibility for interment at the Libingan ng mga 
Bayani.  
 
SEC. 6. Interment Service. – Upon issuance of a certificate of eligibility for 
interment, the PSC or the GAB, as the case may be, shall coordinate with the AFP to 
issue the interment directive and make the necessary arrangement for the internment 
services. 
 
Such interment privilege, however, may be waived by the family of the 
deceased sports hero or by the sports hero upon written notice to the PSC, GAB or 
the AFP.  
 
SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The PSC shall, in 
coordination with the POC, PPC, GAB, POA, and AFP, promulgate the rules and 
regulations to implement the provisions of this Act within sixty (60) days after its 
effectivity.  
 
SEC. 8. Separability Clause. – If any part or provision of this Act is held invalid 
or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force 
and effect. 
 
SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, issuances, decrees, 
rules, and regulations inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are 
deemed amended, modified or repealed accordingly. 
 


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SEC. 10. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,