Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

Third Regular Session

§433

House Bill No.

Introduced by Hon. Mark Aeron H. Sambar

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Constitution, Article 2, Section 17 states

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.

After joining 19 Summer Olympic Games, the Philippines only managed to win two
silver medals and seven bronze medals. The nation is still waiting for its first gold medal,
The performance in the Olympic Games is considered as the best measure of the athletic skill
ofa nation. Bud Greenspan used a quote from Barrie Houlihan that helps explain nationalism
in the Olympics in his study called Olympic Orchestration: "nationalism is deeply embedded
in the fabric of Olympic movement... it is the defining narrative of the Games themselves:
the opening parade of athletes in national groups... wearing the colors on their kit... and the
playing of the national anthems and the raising of national flags at medal ceremonies."* The
state of Philippine sports was not always this bad. The Philippines placed second in the 1954
and 1958 Asian Games. In the 2010 Asian Games, however, the country only managed to

come in at 19™ place, one spot worse than its 18" place showing in 2006

hitp//en.wikipedia org/wiki/All-time_Olympic_Games_medal_table, http://www olympic org
* Quinnipiac University Sports Studies, Fall 2009. hup://qusps.blogspot.com/2009/1 1/nationalism-in-
sport-good-or-bad-thing html

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There is still a lot of room for improvement in the future Olympic Games. The
Philippines is a country with a population of 97 million (12* most populous in the world) but
has been consistent in sending a very small delegation. The country sent 14 athletes in Athens
in 2004, 15 in Beijing in 2008 and 11 in the ongoing London Olympics. The 1928 contingent

in Amsterdam consisted of four athletes.

This bill seeks to grant an Olympic Gold Medal of Valor to a Filipino athlete who
wins a gold medal for the Philippines. It is a small token but it is a symbol of the appreciation

of the country for the honor and prestige that will go with the achievement

(on. MARK
Repfeseyzative, Puwersa

pond NH. SAMBAR

yaning Atleta Party List


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

Third Regular Session

Ow

343
House Bill No.

Introduced by Hoi

AN ACT
TO GRANT AN OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL OF VALOR
TO FILIPINO OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIS1

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep
Congress assembled:

emiatives of the Philippines in

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the "Olympic Gold Medal of Valor Act of
2012."
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policies and Objectives. Pursuant to Article 2, See. 17 of

the Constitution, The State shall give priorit

to education, science and technology, arts,
culture and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and
promote total human liberation and development

In addition to this, Article 10, Section 19, paragraph 1 provides that 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.


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Towards this end, it is the objective of the L 1o grant incentives to Olympic

gold medallists in view of the honor and prestige that their achievement will bring to our
country.
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. Vor purposes of this Act, these terms are defined as

follows.

(a) "Athlete" shall mean any resident citizen of the Philippines who is a member of

the national team as chosen by the appropriate national sports association recognized by the
Philippine Sports Commission;

(6) "Commission* shall refer to the Philippine Sports Commission;

SECTION 4. Ohmpic gold medal of valor. An athlete who wins a gold medal at the
Olympic games shall be awarded an Olympic Gold Medal of Valor by the Philippine Sports

Commission. He shall also be given a cash incentive of TWO MILLION PESOS

(P2,000,000.00) and this is in addition to the benefits provided by Republic Act No, 9064 or
the Sports Incentives and Benefits Act of 2001

SECTION 5. All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders and rules and regulations
or part thereof, contrary to, or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly

SECTION 6 Should any provision of this Act be found unconstitutional by a court of
law, such provision shall be severed from the remainder of this Act, and such action shall not

affect the enforceability of the remaii rovisions of this Act.

SECTION 7 This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication

in any two (2) national newspapers of general circulation