Republic of the Philippines

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: iS

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Quezon City
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EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 2a
First Regular Session ¥. ey
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House Bill No. _ 5782 OK

Introduced by Rep. LAWRENCE LEMUEL H. FORTUN

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines’ successful hosting of the 30" Southeast Asian Games has brought to
national consciousness the selfless toil and sacrifices of our athletes in order to bring distinct
honor and glory to our country. The whole nation is in great jubilation embracing as our
collective triumph as a people the victories of our heroes and sharing the pain of their defeats.
At the height of international events like this, they are celebrated and placed in pedestals.

The sad fact, however, is that after the euphoria settles, our athletes are slowly forgotten
and many of them and their heroic feats fade into oblivion. This has to stop. Our athletes whose
sweat and blood eamed great pride and respect for our country should be given the prominent
recognition they so richly deserve as they continue to inspire Filipinos, young and old, to be of
contribution to society. It is, thus, imperative for the government to institutionalize a permanent
system for recognizing and rewarding our sports heroes.

This bill seeks to recognize the exemplary contributions of Filipino athletes to national
pride and accord them distinctive honors and privileges for their outstanding achievements.
These honors include the Order of National Athletes, to be otherwise known as the Orden ng
mga Pambansang Atleta that will elevate our sports heroes to such level comparable with our
National Artists and Scientists. It shall be the highest honor the Government of the Philippines
shall confer to its outstanding sports heroes who have brought immense pride and honor to the
country and have dedicated their lives towards the advancement of their sports.

There shall also be a National Medal of Excellence in Sports or the Pambansang
Medalya ng Katangi-tanging Husay sa Isports for outstanding individual and team
achievements in international sports competitions.

Meanwhile, the Balangay Medal for Sportsmanship or Gawad Balangay shall be given to
athletes demonstrating heroic sportsmanship during international and local competitions
exemplifying the values of community, amity, honesty, fairness, selflessness, sacrifice and good
will.

A National Endowment Fund for Sports Heroes is also being proposed to fund the
benefits provided for in this Act and ensure the continuous trainings, development and
participation of all our awardees in prestigious international competitions.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is most earnestly sught. We
win as one.



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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 5782

Introduced by Rep. LAWRENCE LEMUEL H. FORTUN

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 the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Bayaning Atletang Filipino Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the declared policy of the State to promote excellence in
the field of sports and foster the values of sportsmanship, patriotism, and nationalism in order to
support nation-building and development.

SEC. 3. The Order of National Athletes. — There is hereby established the Order of National
Athletes (Orden ng mga Pambansang Atleta) which shall be the highest honor the Government
of the Philippines shall confer to its outstanding sports heroes who have brought immense pride
and honor to the country and have dedicated their lives towards the advancement of their sports.

The Order shall be under the National Orders of Cultural and Scientific Merit pursuant to
the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Executive Order 236, s. 2003. It shall be
administered by the Komite ng Bayaning Atletang Filipino, otherwise known as the Committee,
created under Section 6 of this Act, and conferred by the President of the Philippines upon
recommendation by the Committee.

Awardees of the Order of National Athletes shall enjoy the following privileges:

a. The rank and title of National Athlete, as proclaimed by the President of the
Philippines;
b. The National Athlete medallion and citation;
c. Lifetime emolument and material benefits such as:
1. A cash award to be determined by the Committee, net of taxes for living
awardees;
2. A cash award to be determined by the Committee, net of taxes for posthumous
awardees, payable to legal heir/s;
3. A monthly life pension and medical and hospitalization benefits;
4, Life insurance coverage for Awardees who are still insurable;
5. A place of honour in state functions, national commemoration ceremonies, and all
other sports and cultural events; and,
6. A state funeral, the arrangements for and the expenses of which shall be borne by
the Government, upon the death of the National Athlete.


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SEC. 4. The National Medal of Excellence in Sports. - There is hereby established the National
Medal of Excellence in Sports (Pambansang Medalya ng Katangi-tanging Husay sa Isports)
for outstanding individual and team achievements in international sports competitions. The
President of the Philippines shall confer the National Medal of Excellence in Sports upon
recommendation by the Committee.

SEC. 5. The Balangay Medal for Sportsmanship. — There is hereby established the Balangay
Medal for Sportsmanship (Gawad Balangay) for heroic sportsmanship shown by athletes during
international and local competitions exemplifying the values of honesty, fairness, selflessness,
sacrifice, amity and good will. The President of the Philippines shall confer the Balangay Medal
for Sportsmanship upon recommendation by the Committee.

SEC. 6. Komite ng Bayaning Atletang Filipino. - The Committee, shall be under the Office of
the President.

The Committee shall be composed of the following:

a. Chairperson of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) — Chairman;

b. Secretary of the Department of Education or an authorized representative — Member;

c. Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education or an authorized representative
—Member;

d. President of the Philippine Olympic Committee or an authorized representative —

Member;

Chairperson of the Athletes’ Commission or an authorized representative - Member;

f. Chairperson of the National Youth Commission or an authorized representative —
Member; and,

g. Chairperson of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines or an
authorized representative - Member.

SEC. 7. Role and Function of the Komite ng Bayaning Atletang Filipino. ~ The Committee
shall approve the criteria, standards, nomination and selection processes, and benefits and
privileges of the recipients of the awards under this Act.

SEC. 8. National Endowment Fund for Sports Heroes. — There is hereby established a National
Endowment Fund for Sports Heroes to exclusively fund the benefits provided in this Act and
support the continuous trainings of all the awardees and their participation or exposure in
international competitions.

a, The amount of One billion pesos (P1,000,000,000.00) is hereby authorized to be
appropriated as seed money of the Endowment Fund. Provided, That no grant shall be
awarded by the Committee except from the interest drawn from the Fund: Provided,
further, that no grant shall be awarded until after one (1) year from the organization of
the Fund,

b. Government corporations are hereby authorized to give grants to the Fund at their
discretion, but not to exceed fifteen percent (15%) of their unimpaired surplus;

c. The private portion of the Fund shall be raised from the donations and other
conveyances including funds, materials, property, and services, by gratuitous title;

d. Contribution to the Fund shall be deductible for income tax purposes in accordance
with the provisions of Section 34 (h)(2)(a) of the National Internal Revenue Code;

¢. For the sound and judicious management of the Fund, the Committee shall appoint a
reputable government-accredited investment institution as Fund Manager, subject to
guidelines promulgated by the Committee;

f. The Committee shall be the administrator of the Fund, and as such, shall prepare
implementing guidelines and decision-making mechanisms, subject to the following:
1. Unless otherwise stipulated by the private donor, only earnings of private

contributions shall be used;


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2. No part of the seed capital of the Fund, including earnings, thereof, shall be used
to underwrite overhead expenses for administration;

3. The Committee shall organize a separate staff to be headed by a comptroller
appointed by and directly responsible and accountable to the Committee; and,

4, There shall be an external auditor to perform annual audit of its performance.

SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ The Committee shall, within ninety (90) days
from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the implementing rules and regulations (IRR)
governing this Act.

SEC. 10. Appropriations. ~ The amount of One billion pesos (P1,000,000,000.00) to serve as
seed money of the National Endowment Fund for Sports Heroes as provided in Section 8 of this
Act is hereby appropriated. The amount necessary for initial implementation of this Act shall be
charged against the current year’s appropriations of the PSC. Thereafter, such appropriations
necessary for the continuation and enhancement of the program shall be included in the annual
General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 11. Separability. - If any provision or part of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall continue to be in full force
and effect.

SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive orders, and administrative orders or parts
thereof inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC. 13. Effectivity Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved.