CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Bill No.

Introduced by REP. MARK A. VILLAR
—_—.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Filipino star athletes have brought great honor, glory and pride to the country. At
the height of they careers, they garner accolade and support of the people and the
government they represent. Unfortunately, however, such accolade and support do not
transcend the peak of their career and stardom. At their twilight years, there is a
looming impression that they lose not only such accolade but also the support of the
country to which they brought great pride and honor.

Such situation runs contrary to the basic state policy provided under Section 19
Article 14 of the Constitution which mandates the State to 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. Instead of providing for an
inspiration to rising athletes, said situation discourages them from harnessing their
talents for the benefit of the country, being under the impression that the support from
their country is only for a brief moment.

a need jor a law, which would provide incentive and support to
have won world titles, and/or championships in duly recognized
ting competition.

This bill would not only encourage young talents to bring pride and honor to the
country, it-would also recognize the honor and pride that Filipino athletes afforded their
countrymen. This bill is a gesture’ which shows that Filipino athletes who have won titles
and/or championships in duly recognized international sporting competition do not
remain forgotten.

___ In View thereof, the approval of this bill is earnestly requested.
‘ Ht (

ae aoe

MARK A. VILLAR
Representative, Lone District of
Las Pifias City


CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
- First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Bill No.

Introduced by REP. MARK A. VILLAR

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

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “Filipino Professional
Athletes Retirement Incentive and Health Care Benefits Acts of 2007.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. The state shall provide retirement and
health care benefits to 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. “Filipino athlete” shall refer to professional or amateur 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

~ Acquisition Act of 2003”;


“b. “Professional athlete” shall refer to any natural person who is paid sum
of money and other compensation as a salary or prize money for
participating in a game, bout or tournament or contest of professional
sport, either as individual contestant or member of a team under a
contract entered into with a professional sports promoter/operator or team
owner and licensed by the Games and Amusement Board (GAB).

c. “Amateur athlete” shall refer to any natural person who does not get sum
of money and other compensation as a salary or prize money for
participating in a game, bout, tournament or sport.

d. “International competitions” shall_refer_to international sport
comeetitions, including Regional Championships, which are accredited
and duly organized by the GAB;

e. “Recognized sporting organizations” shall refer to international bodies
that. are recognized, accredited, have mutual working relationship,
agreement, and/or memorandum of understanding with GAB.

SEC. 4 Retirement Incentive Benefits. Filipino athletes who have won
individual or team world titles/championships in any international sports
competitions duly sanctioned by recognized international sporting organizations
and bodies shall receive the following incentive benefits:

a. Any individual who have won world title/s or championship/s shall receive a
lifetime retirement incentive of Fifteen Thousand Pesos (P15,000) monthly
upon reaching the age of fifty (50).

b. Each member of a team that have won a world title or championship in any
sporting event shall receive a lifetime retirement incentive of Ten
Thousand Pesos (P10,000) upon reaching the age of fifty (50).

Provided, further, that only those athletes who, at a time of their retirement,
earn 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.

Provided, further, that athletes who are actively employed upon reaching the
age of fifty (50) and have availed of the retirement incentive benefits may
continue with such empleyment until the mandatory retirement age under existing
laws.

SEC. 5. inecleeenent: A Filipino 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 benefit shall be shouldered by the Philippine Charity
‘Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), provided the athlete shall shoulder only a maximum
of Two Hundred Pesos (P200, 000) per hospitalization.

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

‘SEC. 7. Adjustment of Retirement Incentive Benefits. The GAB is hereby
authorized to adjust its 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
prescribéd retirement benefits.

SEC. 8. Funding. The amount necessary for the implementation of the
retirement incentives benefits shall be taken from the net cash income of the
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). For the purpose,
the’GAB shall submit to the PAGCOR an annual budget, together with a certified
list of actual beneficiaries of the program, for the proper disbursement of funds.
Such funds shall be subject to tiie usual government accounting and auditing
rules and regulations.

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) shall provide the
necessary funds provided under Section 5 hereof.

The necessary funding for the PHILHEALTH coverage of the qualified
athletes shall be charged to the current appropriations of the GAB. Thereafter,
such sum as may be necessary for its continued implementation shall be
included in the annual General Appropriations ACT.

SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The GAB, 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. Severability Clause. If any provision or part of this Act shall be held
unconstitutional or invalid, 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 in general circulation.

Approved,