Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No._ 2094

Introduced by Hon. Mark Aeron H. Sambar
Ss

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Constitution, Article 2, Section 17 provides:

SEC. 17. The State shall give priority to education, science and
technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism,
accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development.

This bill seeks to extend monthly pensions and other privileges to boxers and other
athletes who became world champions at one time in their lives.

Athletes, especially boxers, risk life and limb to give honor and pride to our nation.
Boxers in particular go to the ring unmindful of danger to themselves, only armed with the
thought that what they are doing redounds not only to their benefit but to the country as well
Inside the ring, however, anything could happen - the boxer loses his sight, consciousness, and
even his life. It is a sad case for the champion who becomes incapacitated or even dies without
seeing any financial reward in case of such tragedy.

The prestige that boxing great Manny Pacquiao, our very own compatriot from General
Santos City, has brought to the country in the international arena cannot be overemphasized.
Undoubtedly, he has restored the Philippines in the world boxing map, earning the adulation and
respect not only of his countrymen but of boxing aficionados all over the world.

We not only excel in boxing but in other sports as well. Lydia de Vega, Elma Muros-
Posadds, the bowling hall-of-famer Paeng Nepomuceno, and the Magician, Efren “Bata” Reyes,
to name a few, are undeniably world-class talents. The list is endless but oir memories are short.


They deserve something better than a mere pat in the back or the adulation of their
countrymen. They ought to receive something tangible when all the admiring glances and
shrieking sounds are gone. We are reminded of former greats who are reduced to paupers after a
few bad breaks dealt to them.

This problem of apathy to the plight of our world class athletes needs to be addressed.
This bill, therefore, seeks to grant a monthly pension of Fifteen Thousand Pesos (P15,000.00) to
former world champions upon retirement at age 50 or who became incapacitated in pursuing
their careers. Likewise, this bill shoulders the hospitalization and medical expenses of said
athletes at not more than Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (P200,000.00) per hospitalization.

This bill shall give more than lip service to the lives that our athletes have dedicated for
our nation. In view of the foregoing circumstances, approval of this bill is urgently requested.

HON. AEI |. SAMBAR
Representative, Puwersa ag Bayaning Atleta Party List

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BENE

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS,

First Regular Session

2094

House Bill No.

— Kh

Introduced by Hon. Mark Aeron H. Sambar

AN ACT
GRANTING RETIREMENT INCENTIVES AND HEALTH CARE BENEFITS
TO PROFESSIONAL FLLIPINO ATHLETES WHO HAVE WON WORLD TITLES
OR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:
SECTION 1. Title. ~ This Act shall be known as the “Filipino Professional Athletes

Retirement Incentive and Health Care Benefits Act of 2010."

SEC.2. Declaration of Policy. ~ The State shall provide retirement incentive and health
care benefits to professional Filipino athletes, who have won World Titles or World
Championships, and who in their twilight years are unable to provide for themselves and their
families economically, and are therefore marginalized despite the glory and honor they earned

for their country.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall be
defined as follows: '

(a) Professional Athlete - shall refer to any natural person who is paid a sum of money
and other 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 member of a team under a


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contract entered into with a professional sports promoter/operator or team owner and licensed by
the Games and Amusements Board;

(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";

(c) Professional Sport. - shall refer to an individual or team sport, games, contest, bouts,
tournaments or competitions whereby the participating athlete is paid sums of money and other
forms of compensation as regular salary or prize for participation, which are conducted with the
required permits duly issued by the Games and Amusements Board;

(d) International competitions. - shall refer to international sports competitions, including
Regional Championships, which are accredited and duly recognized by the Games and
Amusements Board;

(e) Recognized sporting international organizations. - shall refer to international bodies
that are recognized, accredited, have mutual working relationship, agreement, and/or

memorandum of understanding with the Games and Amusements Board.

SEC. 4. Retirement Incentive Benefits. - Professional Filipino athletes who have won
individual or team world title championships in any intemational sports competition duly
sanctioned by recognized international sporting organizations and bodies shall receive the
following retirement incentive benefits:

a. Any individual who has won a world title or championship shall receive a lifetime
retirement incentive of Fifteen Thousand Pesos (P15,000.00) monthly upon reaching the age of
fifty (50).

b. Each member of a team who has won a world title or championship in any team
sporting event shall receive a lifetime retirement incentive of Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00)
monthly upon reaching the age of 50.

Provided, however, that only those athletes who at the time of their retirement earns less
than the minimum daily wage as prescribed by the National Wages and Productivity

Commission, shall be entitled to the retirement incentive benefits provided herein.


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Provided, further, that athletes who are actively employed upon reaching the age of 50
and have availed of the retirement incentive benefits may continue with such employment until

the mandatory retirement age under existing laws.

SEC. 5. Health Care Benefits. - A professional athlete who has won in an international
sports competition shall be covered by the National Health Insurance Program as provided under

RA 7875, as amended, within two months upon conferment of the award.

+ In case of hospitalization in any government hospital or clinic, any amount in excess of

PHILHEALTH benefits shall be shouldered by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office

(PCSO), provided that the athlete shall comply with the requirements as prescribed by the PCSO
_ Provided, further, that the PCSO shall shoulder only a maximum of Two Hundred

‘Thousand Pesos (P200,000.00) per hospitalization.

SEC. 6. Retroactive Effect. - The benefits provided under this Act shall retroact to all
living professional athletes who have won in any international sports event after complying with
the requirements that shall be prescribed by the Games and Amusements Board in its

Implementing Rules and Regulations.

SEC.7. Adjustment of Retirement Incentive Benefits. - The Games and Amusements
Board is hereby authorized to adjust the retirement incentive benefits provided in Section 4
hereof, based on studies, consultations and public hearings with relevant agencies and entities.
However, no memorandum, order, or issuance shall diminish the prescribed retirement incentive

benefits.

SEC. 8. Funding. - The amount necessary for the implementation of the retirement
incentive benefits and other benefits in this Act shall be included in the annual General

Appropriations Act.

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SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ The Games and Amusements Board, in

coordination with concerned agencies shall promulgate and issue the Implementing Rules and

Regulations within ninety (90) days upon approval of this Act.

SEC, 10, Separability Clause - If any provision or part of this Act shall be held
unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions, which are not affected thereby, shall continue to be

in full force and effect.

SEC. 11. 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. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at
least three (3) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,