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Republic of the Philippines D aN
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 13 ces pKa
Quezon City wh
DATI FFM

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS:
‘Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _** 8530

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F, VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT
GRANTING WOMEN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP
AND TO PRIZES OF SPORTS.

The Constitution, Article II, Section 14, provides, “The State recognizes the role of
women in nation-building, and shall ensure the fundamental equality before the law of
women and men.” In society lke ours, the equality of the sexes should be an old issue
not worthy of the slightest of attention.

Sports does not only bring people together, it also develops other aspects of a person.
This is not only applicable to men but also holds true for women. There is substantial
evidence that women and girls who participate in sports have better physical and
emotional health than women and girls who do not participate, and that participation in
athletics can improve academic achievement.

The field of sports was not spared from sex discrimination. Again, the discrimination is
detrimental to the interest of women. Despite the assurances of the Constitution, a
significant gap remains between the athletic opportunities available to men and the
athletic opportunities available to women. This bill seeks to grant women equal sport
opportunities with men - “to level the playing field” so to speak with regard to the
opportunities available to women and men in the province of sports. In a wider
perspective, this bill equips women with the capacity to play a major role in
nation-building.

al

LUIS RAY] “LRAY7 f. VILLAFUERTE, JR.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 8530

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VIL

AN ACT
GRANTING WOMEN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP.
AND TO PRIZES OF SPORTS

Be enacted by the Senate and House of Representative in Congress of the Philippines
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Sports Equal Opportunity Act.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is declared a state policy to recognize the role of
women in nation-building, and to ensure the fundamental equality before the law of
women and men. Sport shall not be the last bastion of sex discrimination because any
of discrimination is repugnant to an orderly society like ours.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, the term:

(A) “Athletic scholarship program” includes all benefits derived from the program given
by the school, college, university or any other person, party or entity;

(8) “Sport Event or tournament” means any tournament, competition, contest, race,
match, event, or game where a sport prize, as defined in paragraph (E) of this section, is
given to winners;

(C) “Secretary” refers to the Secretary of Department of Education;

(D) ‘Department’ refers to the Department of Education; and

(E) “Sport prize” includes awards, premiums, incentives, rewards, gifts, or anything given
to a winner of a sport event or tournament, whether ary oF not.



SECTION 4. Athletic Scholarship Program. — Schools, colleges, universities, or any other
learning institutions shall take into account the gender of its total student population in
granting athletic scholarship. There shall be no pro rata representation of women in the
athletic scholarship program based on the percentage of women in the whole student
population.

The schools, colleges, universities, or any other learning institutions shall submit an
annual report in writing to the Secretary which contains the following:

(A) The total number of the student population;
(B) A ist of athletic scholars; and

(C) The extent of the scholarship program given to a particular individual, including a
summary on how much was given to a particular scholar.

SECTION 5. Right to Know. — Student of the schools, colleges, universities or any other
learning institutions shall have the right to know the information contained in the annual
report required by the preceding section. Upon a written request from the students, the
colleges, universities, or any other learning institutions shall furnish with a copy of the
annual report.

SECTION 6. Sports Prizes. — No sport event or tournament will offer or award a different
sport prize, with respect to its amount or value, to women and men winners. Provided
that, the said tournament, contest, race, match, event, or game is open to both sexes:
Provided further that, the sport event or tournament is divided into male and female
division.

SECTION 7. Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of Department of is hereby
authorized to promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement the
provisions of this Act in accordance with its purposes.

SECTION 8. Penalty. - Any violation of this Act shall be punished with a fine of not less
than Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) but not more than Twenty Thousand Pesos
(P20,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than one (1) month but not more than three (3)
months or both at the discretion of the court. If the offense is committed by a
corporation, trust, firm, partnership or association, or other entity, the penalty shall be
imposed upon the guilty officer or officers of such corporation, trust, firm, partnership, or
association, or entity.

SECTION 9. 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.

SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree, or issuance, executive
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or


inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended
accordingly.

SECTION 11. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,