THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T  
S.B. No. 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 11, 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 like ours, the equality of the sexes should be an old issue not worthy of the 
slightest of aGntion. But to my dismay, gender discrimination still lives. 
- ~- 
- 
Sports does not only bring people together but 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 
health than women and girls who do not participate, and that participation in 
~ 
improve academic achievement. 
The field of sport was not spared Erom 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 sport. In a wider perspective, this bill equips women with the capacity to play 
a major role in nation-building. 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
First Regular Session 
1 
I” 
’ 
’ 
1 
‘f)d .!Qi, 
%‘7 r 5 :o: 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
SECTION 3. Dejinilion ofirerrns. -For purposes of this Act, the terms: 
(1) 
“Athletic scholarship program” includes all benefits derived 
program given by the school, college, university or any other person, party or 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
from the 
exity. 
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 
assem bled. 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Sports Equal Opportunity 
Act.” 
SECT+ON 2. DedZration ofpolicy. - 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 kind of 
discrimination is repugnant to an orderly society like ours. 


.
.
 
SECTION 4. Athletic scholarship program. - Schools, colleges, universities, or 
any other lcaming institutions shall take into account the gender of its tot 1 student 
population in granting athletic scholarship. There shall be no pro rata represe tation of 
women in the athletic scholarship program based on the percentage of women in the 
whole student population. 
i 
The schools, colleges, universities, or any other learning institutions shall submit 
an annual report in writing to the Secretary which contain the following: 
(1) the total number of the student population; 
(2) a list of athletic scholars; and 
(3) 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, univgsities, 
~- 
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 op n to both 
sexes. Provided further that, the sport event or tournament is divided into 
ale and 
female division. 
i; 
SECTION 7. Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of DepEd is hereby 
authorized to promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions 
of this Act in accordance with its purpose(s) 


SECTION 8. Penalty. - Any violation of this Act shall be punished with a fine of 
not less than Ten Thousand Pesos (Pl0,OOO.OO) but not more than Twenty Thousand 
Pesos (P20,OOO.OO) 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 
corporation, trust, firm, partnership or association, or other entity, the 
imposed upon the guilty officer or officers of such corporation, trust, 
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 i& publicatioain at least two (2) newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved. 
FN:661