TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
25
-8 P5:02
SENATE
Senate Bill No.
238
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
GRANTING DISTINCTIVE HONORS AND PRIVILEGES TO 
NATIONAL ATHLETES, CREATING A NATIONAL ENDOWMENT 
FUND FOR SPORTS HEROES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 
THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The country's recent successes on the global sports stage highlight not only the 
immense talent of Filipino sportsmen and women but also the gaps in the country's 
current support framework which need to be addressed to institutionalize lasting 
support, recognition, and protection for national athletes.
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, gymnast Carlos Yulo made history by ruling both the 
men's floor exercise and vault events, becoming the first Filipino male athlete to win 
an Olympic gold and the first to secure multiple golds in a single edition of the Games. 
Similarly, Flidilyn Diaz's historic gold medal in weightlifting at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics 
marked a turning point for Philippine sports. Both athletes received numerous rewards 
including cash, real estate, and a lifetime supply of goods and services, a reflection of 
national gratitude that, while significant, remains largely spontaneous and 
unsystematic.
Currently, Republic Act No. 10699, or the "National Athletes and Coaches 
Benefits and Incentives Act," provides a range of incentives including cash rewards, 
scholarship benefits, and discounts. However, a comprehensive and sustainable 
system to support athletes throughout and beyond their competitive careers needs to 
be established to acknowledge their sacrifices and triumphs and ensure long-term 
institutional support.


Hence, this bill seeks to institutionalize honors and privileges for Filipino athletes 
and establish a National Endowment Fund for Sports Heroes. This fund, with an initial 
allocation of PI billion, would provide stable financial support for elite athletes, 
covering training, healthcare, post-retirement assistance, and participation in 
international competitions.
This measure also aims to go beyond financial provisions and inspire a cultural 
shift. It proposes the establishment of the Order of National Athletes, the highest 
honor for Filipino sports heroes, who would receive lifetime emoluments, medical 
care, and life insurance, among others. In addition, it introduces two prestigious new 
awards: the National Medal of Excellence in Sports for outstanding international 
achievements, and the Balangay Medal for Sportsmanship, which recognizes athletes 
who exemplify integrity, amity, and selflessness. To ensure fairness and transparency, 
this bill also establishes the Komite ng Bayaning Attetang PHipino, which would be 
responsible for selecting awardees and overseeing the law's implementation.
Ultimately, this bill represents a necessary step towards building a stronger, more 
inclusive, and more sustainable sports culture in the Philippines. Through this 
measure, the country would not only honor its sports heroes but also strengthen its 
identity as a nation that values dedication and patriotism in every arena of 
competition, while inspiring future generations to strive for excellence in the name of 
national pride and unity.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
ILLANUEVA


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
Senate Bill No.
25 JUL-8 P5 -02
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
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:
1 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Bayaning Atietang
2 
Piiipino Act."
3 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to
4 
promote excellence in the field of sports and foster the values of sportsmanship,
5 
patriotism, and nationalism in order to support nation-building and development.
6 
SEC. 3. The Order of National Athletes. - There is hereby established the
7 
Order of National Athletes (Orden ng mga Pambansang Atleta) which shall be the
8 
highest honor the Government of the Philippines shall confer to its outstanding sports
9 
heroes who have brought immense pride and honor to the country and have dedicated
10 
their lives towards the advancement of their sports.
11 
The Order shall be under the National Orders of Cultural and Scientific Merit
12 
pursuant to Executive Order No. 236, s. 2003. It shall be administered by the Komite
13 
ng Bayaning Atietang Piiipino, otherwise known as the Komite, created under Section
14 
6 of this Act, and conferred by the President of the Philippines upon recommendation
15 
by the Komite.


1 
Awardees of the Order of National Athletes shall enjoy the following privileges:
2 
a) The rank and title of National Athlete, as proclaimed by the President of the
3 
Philippines;
4 
b) The National Athlete medallion and citation;
5 
c) Lifetime emolument and material benefits, such as:
6 
(1) A cash award to be determined by the Komite, net of taxes, for living
7 
awardees;
8 
(2) A cash award to be determined by the Komite, net of taxes, for posthumous
9 
awardees, payable to legal heir/s;
10 
(3) A monthly life pension and medical and hospitalization benefits;
11 
(4) Life insurance coverage for awardees who are still insurable;
12 
(5) A place of honor at state functions, national commemoration ceremonies,
13 
and all other sports and cultural events; and
14 
(6) A state funeral, the arrangements for and the expenses of which shall be
15 
borne by the Government, upon the death of the National Athlete.
16 
SEC. 4. The National Medal of Excellence in Sports. - There is hereby
17 
established the National Medal of Excellence in Sports (Pambansang Medalya ng
18 
Katangi-tanging Husay sa Isports) for outstanding individual and team achievements
19 
in international sports competitions. The President of the Philippines shall confer the
20 
National Medal of Excellence in Sports upon recommendation by the Komite.
21 
SEC. 5. The Balangay Medal for Sportsmanship. - There is hereby
22 
established the Balangay Medal for Sportsmanship (Gawad Balangay) for heroic
23 
sportsmanship shown by athletes during local or international competitions,
24 
exemplifying the values of honesty, fairness, selflessness, sacrifice, amity, and
25 
goodwill. The President of the Philippines shall confer the Balangay Medal for
26 
Sportsmanship upon recommendation by the Komite.
27 
SEC. 6. Komite ng Bayaning Atletang PiUpino. - There is hereby created
28 
the Komite ng Bayaning Atietang PiUpino, which shall be under the Office of the
29 
President, and shall be composed of the following:
30 
a) Chairperson of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), as Chairperson;
31 
b) Secretary of the Department of Education or an authorized representative, as
32 
Member;


1 
c) Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education or an authorized
2 
representative, as Member;
3 
d) President of the Philippine Olympic Committee or an authorized representative,
4 
as Member;
5 
e) President of the Philippine Paralympic Committee or an authorized
6 
representative, as Member;
7 
f) Chairperson of the National Youth Commission or an authorized representative,
8 
as Member; and
9 
g) Chairperson of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines or an
10 
authorized representative, as Member.
11 
SEC. 7. Role and Function of the Komite ng Bayaning A tietang PiUpino.
12 
- The Komite shall approve the criteria, standards, nomination and selection
13 
processes, and benefits and privileges of the recipients of the awards under this Act.
14 
SEC. 8. National Endowment Fund for Sports Heroes. - There is hereby
15 
established a National Endowment Fund for Sports Heroes to exclusively fund the
16 
benefits provided under this Act and to support the continuous trainings of all the
17 
awardees and their participation or exposure in international competitions.
18 
a) The amount of One Billion Pesos (P1,000,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated as
19 
seed money of the Endowment Fund: Provided, That no grant shall be awarded
20 
by the Komite except from the interest drawn from the Fund: Provided, further,
21 
That no grant shall be awarded until after one (1) year from the organization of
22 
the Fund;
23 
b) Government corporations are hereby authorized to give grants to the Fund at
24 
their discretion, but not to exceed fifteen percent (15%) of their unimpaired
25 
surplus;
26 
c) The private portion of the Fund shall be raised from donations and other
27 
conveyances, including funds, materials, property, 
and services, by gratuitous
28 
title;
29 
d) Contributions to the Fund shall be deductible for income tax purposes, in
30 
accordance with the applicable provisions of the National 
Internal Revenue Code,
31 
as amended;


1 
e) For the sound and judicious management of the Fund, the Komite shall appoint
2 
a reputable government-accredited investment institution as Fund Manager,
3 
subject to the guidelines promulgated by the Komite;
4 
f) The Komite shall be the administrator of the Fund, and as such, shall prepare
5 
the implementing guidelines and decision-making mechanisms, subject to the
6 
following:
7 
(1) Unless otherwise stipulated by the private donor, only earnings of private
8 
contributions shall be used;
9 
(2) No part of the seed capital of the Fund, including earnings thereof, shall be
10 
used to underwrite overhead expenses for administration;
11 
(3) The Komite shall organize a separate staff to be headed by a comptroller
12 
appointed by and directly responsible and accountable to the Komite; and
13 
(4) There shall be an external auditor that will perform an annual audit of the
14 
Fund's performance.
15 
SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations - Within ninety (90) days
16 
from the effectivity of this Act, the Komite shall promulgate the rules and regulations
17 
for the effective implementation of this Act.
18 
SEC. 10. Appropriations. - The amount of One Billion Pesos
19 
(P1,000,000,000.00) to serve as seed money of the National Endowment Fund for
20 
Sports Heroes as provided under Section 8 of this Act is hereby appropriated. The
21 
amount necessary for the initial implementation of this Act shall be charged against
22 
the current year's appropriations of the PSC. Thereafter, such appropriations
23 
necessary for the continuation and enhancement of the program shall be included in
24 
the annual General Appropriations Act.
25 
SEC. 11. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is
26 
declared unconstitutional, the remainder hereof or any provisions not affected thereby
27 
shall remain in force and effect.
28 
SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
29 
executive order, letter of instruction, rule, or regulation inconsistent with the
30 
provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.


1 
SEC. 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
2 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,