EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
of rt)f *>.-frrtnr;>
SENATE
S.B. No. 192
INTRODUCED BY: SENATOR EMMANUEL D. PACQUIAO
AN ACT
CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS, DEFINING ITS POWERS 
AND FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
By virtue of the Constitution, the State shall 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.
The Philippines is home to budding athletes. Through the years, coimtless athletes of 
talent and determination have been produced and have shown world-class talent. However, 
there is still room for improvement in terms of the country’s sports development. Improvement 
of the government’s support is essential to further enhance the capabilities of our athletes.
This measure seeks for the creation of the Department of Sports that shall be the 
authorizing body in sports and grassroots development. The said department will take hold in 
developing Filipino athletes to become their best version with adequate support from the 
government.
Through this, sports development in the country would become a fundamental part of 
the development of the youth.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
Trrr nuiAO
EMMANU


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
o( tl)i fe f.'r r iiu p
'19 
JUL-2 P2 -07
S.B. No.
INTRODUCED BY: SENATOR EMMANUEL “MANNY” D. PACQUIAO
AN ACT
CREATING THE DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS, DEFINING ITS POWERS AND 
FUNCTIONS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as “Department of Sports Act of 2019".
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. -  It is the policy of the State to promote and sustain fitness, 
physical education and sports development in the country. As such, it shall maintain and 
provide equal access to resources, services and facilities related to sports to all Filipinos to 
foster and promote health and physical fitness, self-discipline, teamwork, excellence, peace 
and camaraderie, youth development, and people empowerment through sports.
It shall also encourage wider participation of all sectors, including the government and private 
sector, in amateur sports promotion and development and shall be led by a single, unified and 
integrated national sports policy-making body.
ARTICLE II
DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS


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SEC. 3. Creation of the Department of Sports. -  There is hereby created the Department of 
Sports, hereinafter referred to as the "Department.”
SEC. 4. Mandate. The Department shall be the primary policy-making, plarming, coordinating, 
implementing, and administrative entity of the Executive Branch of the government that will 
conceptualize, develop, and promote the national sports program.
SEC. 5. Powers and Functions. The Department shall exercise the following powers and 
functions:
(a) Formulate, recommend and implement policies and programs for integrated national 
sports and sports for Athletes with Disabilities in coordination with the Department of 
Health (DOH), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Department of 
Education (DepEd), and local government units;
(b) Plan and conduct national sports competitions and establish and continually strengthen 
a nationwide grassroot-based sports development program;
(c) Implement sports for early education based on functionality or practicality, such as, but 
not limited to:
a. Athletics and Track and Field
b. Swimming
c. Martial Arts
(d) Determine the sports to be prioritized by the government in regional and international 
sports competitions taking into consideration the funds needed, competitive 
opportunities for emerging and developing athletes, and chances of winning;
(e) Oversee and support the participation of athletes in regional and international sports 
competitions;
(f) Supervise and improve the standards of sport coaches and coaching staff;
(g) Facilitate research and development on sports science and sports medicine and exercise 
the outputs therefrom in national sports programs;
(h) Prescribe criteria and standards for the recognition of all national sports associations 
and exercise supervisory and visitorial powers over the same;
(i) Supplement government appropriations for sports promotion and development by 
encouraging the private sector to contribute in the funding of the various programs of 
the Department;
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(j) Provide and supervise the completion of adequate and fully-equipped sports facilities, 
centers and complexes in strategic places across the country and regularly revisit, 
inspect, and ensure the proper management and maintenance thereof, excluding school 
or college-owned sports complexes;
(k) Enter into contracts pursuant to its functions and powers;
(l) Acquire, own, possess, regulate and dispose of any real or personal property required 
or otherwise necessary for the accomplishment of the purposes of the Department;
(m) Accept donations, gifts, bequests and grants for the accomplishment of the purposes of 
the Department;
(n) Exercise such other acts as are incident to or are appropriate and necessary in 
connection with the creation of the Department.
SEC. 6. Composition of the Department -  The Department of Sports shall be headed by a 
Secretary. The Department proper shall be composed of the Office of the Secretary, the offices 
of the Undersecretaries and the Assistant Secretaries.
SEC. 7. Secretary of Sports. -  The Secretary shall be appointed by the President, subject to 
confirmation by the Commission on Appointments. The Secretary shall have the following 
ftmctions:
a) Provide executive direction and supervision over the entire operations of the 
Department and its attaehed agencies;
b) Establish and implement policies and standards for the efficient and economical 
operation of the Department;
c) Coordinate with other government agencies, local government units, and public and 
private interests groups on Department policies and initiatives;
d) Advice the President on its regulatory and legislative proposals as well as the 
promulgation of executive and administrative orders pertaining to sports programs and 
development;
e) Formulate rules and regulations, and exercise such other powers as may be 
required to implement the objectives of this Act;
f) Organize the Department and provide it with such staff as may be necessary to discharge 
its ftmctions and responsibilities and those of various offices under it;
g) Perform such other tasks as may be provided by law or assigned by the 
President.


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SEC. 8. Undersecretaries. - The Secretary shall be assisted by three (3) Undersecretaries, who 
shall be appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the Secretary: Provided, That 
one (1) of the Undersecretaries shall be a career officer coming from ranks of existing 
government institution or office on sports or qualified individuals in the private sector who 
actively supports the promotion and development of sports in the country.
SEC. 9. Assistant Secretaries. - The Secretary shall be assisted by three (3) Assistant 
Secretaries who shall be career officers appointed by the President upon the recommendation 
of the Secretary.
SEC. 10. Regional Offices. -  The Department shall be authorized to establish, operate, and 
maintain a Regional Office in each of the administrative regions of the country as the need 
arises. The regional office shall be headed by a Regional Director, who may be assisted by one 
(1) Assistant Regional Director. The Regional Offices shall coordinate with regional offices of 
other departments, other agencies, and local government units with respect to their local sports 
programs.
SEC. 11. Structure and Staffing Pattern. - The Department shall determine its organizational 
structure and create new divisions or units as it may deem necessary, and shall appoint officers 
and employees of the Department in accordance with the Civil Service Law, rules, and 
regulations.
SEC. 12. Regular Bureaus, Divisions and Offices. - The Department shall organize bureaus, 
divisions, and offices in such manner as would best carry out the declaied policies and 
objectives enunciated herein and consistent with the provisions of civil service laws, rules, and 
regulations. There shall be an administrative services bureau, which shall be primarily 
responsible for providing services related to financial management, personnel, records, 
supplies and equipment, and a support services bureau, which shall be primarily responsible 
for plans and programs formulation, research, electronic data processing (EDP) and system 
management, public information and production, transportation, communications and such 
other fimetions and responsibilities as may be necessaiy and required by the Department.


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SEC. 13. Specialized Bureaus. -  There are hereby created two (2) specialized bureaus under 
the Department: (a) the Amateur Sports Development Bureau, and (b) the International Sports 
Development Bureau, both of which shall be headed by Deputy Executive Directors.
SEC. 14. Tax Exemption of Earnings from the Use of Sports Facilities. — To encourage 
popular participation in amateur sports, no tax, charge or fee of whatever nature or of any kind 
shall be levied on the use of sports facilities by the general public, individuals, or public 
agencies or offices, or on the earnings from the use thereof whether by public or private entities, 
whether the tax or fee be on the user, owner or operator of the sports facility.
SEC. 15. Tax Deduction or Exemption of Donations and Contributions. — All donations 
and contributions to the Department in connection with its fund-raising projects and its 
continuing sports development programs shall be exempt from donor's taxes, and shall be 
deductible in full in the computation of the taxable net income of the donor. Donations and 
contributions to the various national sports certified by the Department to be pursuant to the 
development of sports in the country shall likewise be exempt from the payment of the donor's 
and estate taxes and shall be deductible in full in computing the taxable net income of the 
donor.
SEC. 16. Sports Delegations. — The Department and its delegation or representatives to any 
international sports competitions, convention, conference, meeting and events, and athletes, 
coaches and other officials to any international competition shall be exempt from the payment 
of travel tax, airport tax and any other travel related taxes or fees now or hereafter imposed by 
law or regulation.
SEC. 17. Presidential Land Grant. — The provisions of any existing law to the contrary 
notwithstanding the President may, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of the 
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), grant by donation, sale, lease, 
usufruct, or otherwise to the Department portions of the land of public domain as may be 
necessary for the establishment of regional training centers in all the regions of the country and 
for the accomplishment of any of its purposes.
SEC. 18. Sports Facilities. — The ownership, administration and full control of all existing 
sports facilities, including land, buildings and equipment, owned by the national government
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as well as those owned by government-funded foundations, associations and entities except 
liabilities, shall be transferred to the Department: Provided, That the sports facilities owned by 
the local government units, state colleges and universities, or public schools shall remain with 
the said institutions or entities. The Department shall establish, organize, manage, and maintain 
the National Sports Training Center as may be authorized by law.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 14 of this Act, in the event that sports 
equipment and facilities of the Department are contracted out for use by private entities, all 
rental income from the sports equipment and facilities owned and operated by the Department 
shall be remitted directly to the Department to be used exclusively for the operation and 
maintenance of said equipment and facilities.
SEC. 19. Assistance by the Government Entities. — The Department may call upon any 
government entity for assistance in the performance of its functions and duties. All heads of 
departments, agencies, corporations and offices of the government are hereby enjoined to 
render full assistance and cooperation to the Department to ensure the attainment of its 
objectives and the success of the national sports development program.
SEC. 20. Integration of the Philippine Sports Commission. - The Philippine Sports 
Commission created and established under Republic Act 6847, together with its adjunct offices 
and entities, shall be integrated with the Department of Sports within six (6) months from the 
enactment of this law. All power, functions, duties and responsibilities of the Philippine Sports 
Commission not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act shall continue to be exercised and 
performed by the Department. Forthwith, the Philippine Sports Commission shall conduct an 
inventory of its assets and liabilities, and shall turn over the same together with the inventory 
to the Department of Sports.
All programs, contracts and projects of the Philippine Sports Commission, which are 
inconsistent with the policies and provisions of this Act shall be terminated on or before six (6) 
months from the enactment of this law: Provided, That contracts, programs and projects which 
cannot be unilaterally terminated shall remain in force and effect and the Department shall 
negotiate for the soonest rescission of the contract or termination of the project or program for 
a period earlier than what has been previously agreed upon.


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SEC. 21. Appropriations. - In order to provide the necessary funds required for the 
organizational and initial calendar year of operational expenditures of the Department, the 
amount of One Hundred Seventy Eight Million, Two Hundred Seventy Thousand pesos 
(PI78,273,000.00) from the National Treasury is hereby appropriated: Provided, That 
operating expenses for the Department itself shall not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the 
annual appropriation and that at least eighty percent (80%) of said annual appropriation and all 
of the national sports development funds, as hereinafter provided, shall be disbursed for the 
national sports program, particularly in support of the identification, recruitment and training 
of athletes in pre-regional, regional, national and international competitions.
To finance the country's integrated sports development program, including the holding 
of the national games and all other sports competitions at all levels throughout the country as 
well as to carry out well-planned preparations to sustain the complete needs of national and 
development athletes during the country's preparation and participation at international sports 
competitions, such as, but not limited to the Olympics. Asian Games, Southeast Asian Games, 
Paralympics, Universiade or World University Games and other international competitions 
sanctioned by international sports institutions, federations, organizations and associations, 
thirty percent (30%) of the charity fund representing the proceeds of six (6) lottery draws per 
annum of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Offices, taxes on horse races from ten (10) racing 
days to be determined by the Philippine Racing Commission and the Department; five percent 
(5%) of the gross income before taxes of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation; 
and the proceeds from the sale of stamps as hereinafter provided shall be automatically remitted 
directly to the Department by the concerned entity are hereby constituted as the National Sports 
Development Fund. Further, the Philippine Postal Corporation is hereby authorized to print 
paper and gold stamps which shall depict sporting events and such other motif as the Philippine 
Postal Service Office and the Department may agree on, at the expense of the Department. Any 
deficiency in the financial requirements of the Department for its national sports development 
program shall be covered by an annual appropriation passed by Congress.
SEC. 22. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department shall, within ninety (90) 
days after the approval of this Act, issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement the 
provisions hereof.


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SEC. 2^. Annual Report - The Department shall, within ninety (90) days after the end of every 
fiscal year, submit to Congress an annual report on its compliance with, or accomplishments 
under this act, together with its plans and recommendations to improve and develop its 
capability to enforce the provisions of this Act, and a complete accounting of transactions with 
respect to any funds received under this Act.
SEC. 24. Separability Clause. If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting.
SEC. 25. Repealing Clause. — Republic Act No. 6847, otherwise known as the '‘The 
Philippines Sports Commission Act" is hereby repealed. All other laws, rules, regulations, 
orders, circulars, and memoranda inconsistent with any provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 26. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,