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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO._ 4465

INTRODUCED BY HON. FAUSTINO MICHAEL CARLOS T. DY III

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Established on May 1947, the Libingan ng mga Bayani was built by the Philippine
government to pay tribute to the gallant Filipino men and women who brought honor to the
country and fought for the sake of freedom and democracy during World War II. Its existence
was in accordance with Republic Act No. 289, which provides that: “To perpetuate the memory
of all the Presidents of the Philippines, national heroes and patriots for the inspiration and
emulation of this generation and of generations still unborn, there shall be constructed a
National Pantheon which shall be the burial place of their mortal remains.”

Over the years, the Philippines has produced some of the world’s most outstanding
athletes such as Manny Pacquiao, Lydia De Vega, Paeng Nepomuceno, Efren “Bata” Reyes
and Hidilyn Diaz proving that talent, determination, and resilience can break barriers. From the
boxing ring to the Olympic stage, Filipino athletes have brought honor and pride to the country.
Their strength, courage and bravery led to a victorious fight against their opponents in the
battlefield of sports.

Thus, in order to honor and perpetuate the memory of our national athletes who are heroes
in their own field, who have led lives worthy of inspiration and emulation of this generation
and of generations still to come and in recognition of their dedication and sacrifices for the
country, this bill seeks to allow deceased sports heroes who during their time brought honor
and glory to the country to be laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

FAUBTINO MICHAEL "DY HI
Representative, Isabela Sth District


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No._ 4469

Introduced by Representative Faustino Michael T. Dy Ill

AN ACT
ALLOWING THE INTERMENT OF FILIPINO SPORTS HEROES AT
THE LIBINGAN NG MGA BAYANI

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 “Commemoration of
Filipino Sports Heroes Act’.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy.- It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
honor and perpetuate the memory of the Filipino sports heroes who have led lives
worthy of inspiration and emulation of this generation and of generations still to come.

In recognition of their dedication and sacrifices for the country, the State shall
allow deceased sports heroes who during their time brought honor and glory to the
country be laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

SEC. 3. Sports Heroes.- Sports heroes as used in this Act shall refer to
Filipino national athletes, amateur or professional, including athletes with disabilities,
who have distinguished themselves in their particular field of sports, possessed good
moral character and integrity, represented and brought honor and glory to the
country by winning any medal in the Olympics or Paralympic Games or a World
Championship in any professional sports competition sanctioned by any of the
international governing bodies of various sports, and recognized as such by the
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Games and Amusements Board (GAB).
They also refer to any Filipino athlete, coach, or trainer who were inducted into the
Philippine Sports Hall of Fame pursuant to Republic Act No. 8757, entitled: “An Act
Establishing the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame and Appropriating Funds Therefor’.


Sports heroes must be citizens of the Philippines either from birth without
having to perform any act to acquire or perfect their Philippine citizenship, or those
who are former Filipino citizens by birth who are naturalized in another country but
re-acquired Philippine citizenship making them dual citizens of both the Philippines
and the country where they were naturalized pursuant to Section 4 of Republic Act
No. 9225, otherwise known as the "Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of
2003”.

SEC. 4. Interment at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.- Filipino sports heroes as
defined in Section 3 hereof shall, upon the recommendation of the screening
committee established under Section 5 of this Act, be eligible for interment at the
Libingan ng mga Bayani.

SEC. 5. Screening Committee. - A screening committee shall be established by
the PSC to determine and recommend qualified Filipino sports heroes which shall be
comprised of the following:

a) Chairperson:
Chairperson of the PSC;

b) Vice Chairperson:
Chairperson of the GAB;
c) Members:
i) President of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC);
i) President of the Philippine Paralympic Committee (PPC);
ii) Chairperson of the Philippine Olympians Association (POA);
iv) Head of the Grave Service Unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
(AFP); and
v) Chairpersons of the Senate Committee on Sports and the House of
Representatives Committee on Youth and Sports Development.

The screening committee, upon determination of the eligibility of the deceased
sports hero, shall issue a certificate of eligibility for interment at the Libingan ng mga
Bayani.

SEC. 6. Interment Service. - Upon issuance of a certificate of eligibility for
interment, the PSC or the GAB, as the case may be, shall coordinate with the AFP to
ue the interment directive and make the necessary arrangements for the
interment service.

Such interment privilege, however, may be waived by the family of the deceased
sports hero or by the sports hero upon written notice to the PSC, GAB or the AFP.


SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The PSC shall, in coordination
with the POC, PPC, GAB, POA, and AFP, promulgate the rules and regulations to
implement the provisions of this Act within sixty (60) days after its effectivity.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is held invalid
or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force
and effect.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, issuances, decrees,
tules, and regulations inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are
deemed amended, modified or repealed accordingly.

SEC. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,