t’
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
F/rst Regular Session 
)
25 JUL 14 P4 :17
S. No.
SENATE
5S0
RECElV.i.*
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING AND ORGANIZING THE PHILIPPINES ELECTRONIC
SPORTS COMMISSION AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The rise of electronic sports or e-sports, has gained immense popularity in 
recent years, attracting millions of fans and participants worldwide. E-sports 
encompasses a category of competitive video gaming, typically conducted on online 
or streaming platforms, where professional players compete either individually or in 
teams in organized tournaments.
In the Philippines, the popularity of e-sports has steadily increased over the 
past decade, highlighted by national teams achieving significant success in 
international and regional competitions. For example, in 2019, the Philippines secured 
five medals in e-sports at the Southeast Asian Games held in Vietnam.
As of 2021, statistics indicated that the Philippines had over 43 million active 
gamers. Furthermore, the country ranks 18th globally in terms of e-sports earnings, 
with 1,777 Filipino e-sports athletes collectively amassing approximately USD 
$20,492,446.42 across 1,363 tournaments. Locally, various e-sports tournaments 
have generated considerable interest from both participants and spectators, driving 
business investments aimed at engaging the youth within the e-sports sector.
Given the rapid growth of the e-sports industry in the Philippines, it is essential 
to establish a legislative framework to support and maximize the potential of Filipino 
youth in this field. This could be accomplished through the creation of a government 
body dedicated to overseeing the e-sports industry.


This proposed bill seeks to establish a Philippine Electronic Sports Commission, 
which will have the authority to implement uniform rules and policies to support the 
development of the e-sports industry and to secure the necessary financial resources 
for e-sports activities, among other objectives.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
MARKA. VILLAR }(WC/


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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 530
25 JUL 14 P4 :17
RECEiVcO *jV:
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING AND ORGANIZING THE PHILIPPINE ELECTRONIC SPORTS 
COMMISSION AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Philippine E-sports 
Development Act".
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the significant role of 
electronic sports (e-sports) in youth development, digital innovation, and economic 
growth. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote and develop e-sports 
as a legitimate sporting discipline and creative industry, while ensuring the welfare 
and protection of e-sports athletes and stakeholders.
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purpose of this Act, the following terms 
are hereby defined as follows.'
a) E-sports refers to electronic video games in online or streaming 
platforms in which players, individually or by teams, compete with one 
another for a score or for victory;
b) E-sports industry refers to the industry of creating added value with 
goods and services related to e-sports;
c) E-sports player refers to a person registered with an e-sport 
organization;


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d) E-sports organization refers to a corporation or organization established
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for the purpose of engaging in activities or a business relating to e-
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sports;
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e) E-sports facilities refers to stadiums, gadgets, equipment, machineries
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and other facilities for e-sports.
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Sec. 4. Establishment of Philippine Electronic Sports (E-sports) Commission
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(PESO). - The Philippine Electronic Sports (E-sports) Commission is hereby established
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as the governing body to organize, oversee and monitor e-sports activities in the
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country. It shall be an independent body from the existing Philippine Sports
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Commission.
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Sec. 5. Board of Trustees. - The PESC shall be administered by a Board of
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Trustees hereinafter referred as the Board, to be composed of the following:
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a) Secretary of the Department of Education, as Chairperson;
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b) Secretary of the Department of Tourism, as Vice-Chairperson;
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c) Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications
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Technology;
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d) Chairperson of the Commission of Higher Education;
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e) Chairperson of the Philippine Sports Commission;
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f) Two representatives from the private sector; and
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g) Chairperson of the Philippine E-sports Commission.
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The members of the Board enumerated in subparagraphs (a), (b), (c), (d) and
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(e) shall serve as ex-officio members. The ex-officio members of the Board may
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designate their respective alternates who shall be the officials next-in-rank to them
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and whose acts shall be considered as the acts of their principals.
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The members of the Board enumerated in subparagraphs (f) and (g) shall be
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appointed by the President of the Philippines.
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The appointive members of the Board shall serve for four (4) years and may
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be reappointed for a second term, unless sooner removed for a cause.
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Sec. 6. Powers and Functions. - In order to achieve the purposes of this Act,
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the Board shall have the following powers and functions:
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a) Serve as the national sports association for e-sports and the sole
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accrediting body of e-sports organizations;


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b) Formulate and implement uniform policies, rules and format for e-sports
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activities in the Philippines;
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c) Establish a master plan for the medium and long-term development of
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e- sports;
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d) Promote international tournaments and events relating to e-sports and
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international cooperation and exchange in e-sports;
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e) Promote scientific activities for e-sports and the creation 
of the
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infrastructure therefor;
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f) Secure financial resources for the development of e-sports;
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g) Establish an e-sports industry support center which shall 
extend
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counseling services, among others;
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h) Come up with mechanisms promoting a well-balanced family-education-
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e-sports life of the student players; and
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i) Select individuals, organizations, enterprises, etc., that have significantly
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contributed to the development of e-sports to reward them for their
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contributions.
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Sec. 7. Organizational Structure and Staffing Pattern. - The Board shall
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determine the organizational structure and staffing pattern of the PESC subject to the
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evaluation by the Civil Service Commission and of the Organizational Position
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Classification and Compensation Bureau of the Department of Budget and
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Management (DBM).
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Sec. 8. Chairperson of PESC. -The PESC shall be headed by a Chairperson who
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shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines for a term of four (4) years and
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may be reappointed for a second term:
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The Chairperson shall have the following powers and functions:
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a) Execute the policies, rules and format approved by the Board and be
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responsible for the efficient discharge of management and operational
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functions;
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b) Submit for the consideration and approval of the Board proposed
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measures, policies, and rules as deemed necessary or proper for the
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effective implementation of the purposes and objectives of the Act;


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c) Represent the PESC in all dealings with other persons or entities,
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whether domestic or foreign, and whether government or private; and
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d) Exercise other functions and powers and perform such other duties as
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may be vested or reposed by the Board.
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Sec. 9. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the effective
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implementation of the provisions of this Act shall be taken from the current year's
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appropriation of the department or agencies concerned. Thereafter, such sums as may
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be needed for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual
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General Appropriations Act. .
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Sec. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - Within sixty (60) days
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from the effectivity of this Act, the Chairperson of the Philippine Sports Commission
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(PSC), in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of
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Tourism (DOT), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT),
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Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and other concerned agencies, shall
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promulgate the implementing rules and regulations and other issuances as may be
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necessary to ensure the effective Implementation of this Act.
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Sec. 11. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
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unconstitutional or invalid, the portions or provisions which are not affected shall
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continue to be in full force and effect.
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Sec. 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, issuances, rules
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and regulations which may be inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act, are
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hereby deemed repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspaper of general circulation
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in the Philippines.
Approved,