Bayaning Atletang Pilipino Act

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 JUL -8 P5:02 First Regular Session ) ------ SENATE Senate Bill No. 238 Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA AN ACT GRANTING DISTINCTIVE HONORS AND PRIVILEGES TO NATIONAL ATHLETES, CREATING A NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FUND FOR SPORTS HEROES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE The country's recent successes on the global sports stage highlight not only the immense talent of Filipino sportsmen and women but also the gaps in the country's current support framework which need to be addressed to institutionalize lasting support, recognition, and protection for national athletes. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, gymnast Carlos Yulo made history by ruling both the men's floor exercise and vault events, becoming the first Filipino male athlete to wir an Olympic gold and the first to secure multiple golds in a single edition of the Games. Similarly, Hidilyn Diaz's historic gold medal in weightlifting at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics marked a turning point for Philippine sports. Both athletes received numerous rewards including cash, real estate, and a lifetime supply of goods and services, a reflection of national gratitude that, while significant, remains largely spontaneous and unsystematic. Currently, Republic Act No. 10699, or the "National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act," provides a range of incentives including cash rewards, scholarship benefits, and discounts. However, a comprehensive and sustainable system to support athletes throughout and beyond their competitive careers needs to be established to acknowledge their sacrifices and triumphs and ensure long-term institutional support.

Hence, this bill seeks to institutionalize honors and privileges for Filipino athletes and establish a National Endowment Fund for Sports Heroes. This fund, with an initial allocation of P1 billion, would provide stable financial support for elite athletes, covering training, healthcare, post-retirement assistance, and participation in international competitions. This measure also aims to go beyond financial provisions and inspire a cultural shift. It proposes the establishment of the Order of National Athletes, the highest honor for Filipino sports heroes, who would receive lifetime emoluments, medical care, and life insurance, among others. In addition, it introduces two prestigious new awards: the National Medal of Excellence in Sports for outstanding international achievements, and the Balangay Medal for Sportsmanship, which recognizes athletes who exemplify integrity, amity, and selflessness. To ensure fairness and transparency, this bill also establishes the Komite ng Bayaning Atletang Pilipino, which would be responsible for selecting awardees and overseeing the law's implementation. Ultimately, this bill represents a necessary step towards building a stronger, more inclusive, and more sustainable sports culture in the Philippines. Through this measure, the country would not only honor its sports heroes but also strengthen its identity as a nation that values dedication and patriotism in every arena of competition, while inspiring future generations to strive for excellence in the name of national pride and unity. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. JOEL YILLANUEVAY

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) JUL -8 P5:02 First Regular Session SENATE Senate Bill No. Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA AN ACT GRANTING DISTINCTIVE HONORS AND PRIVILEGES TO NATIONAL ATHLETES, CREATING A NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FUND FOR SPORTS HEROES, 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 "Bayaning Atletang

Pilipino Act."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to

promote excellence in the field of sports and foster the values of sportsmanship, patriotism, and nationalism in order to support nation-building and development.

SEC. 3. The Order of National Athletes. - There is hereby established the

Order of National Athletes (Orden ng mga Pambansang Atleta) which shall be the highest honor the Government of the Philippines shall confer to its outstanding sports heroes who have brought immense pride and honor to the country and have dedicated their lives towards the advancement of their sports. The Order shall be under the National Orders of Cultural and Scientific Merit pursuant to Executive Order No. 236, s. 2003. It shall be administered by the Komite ng Bayaning Atletang Pilipino, otherwise known as the Komite, created under Section 6 of this Act, and conferred by the President of the Philippines upon recommendation 15 by the Komite.

Awardees of the Order of National Athletes shall enjoy the following privileges: The rank and title of National Athlete, as proclaimed by the President of the Philippines; 4 b) The National Athlete medallion and citation; C) Lifetime emolument and material benefits, such as: (1) A cash award to be determined by the Komite, net of taxes, for living awardees; (2) A cash award to be determined by the Komite, net of taxes, for posthumous awardees, payable to legal heir/s; (3) A monthly life pension and medical and hospitalization benefits; (4) Life insurance coverage for awardees who are still insurable; (5) A place of honor at state functions, national commemoration ceremonies, and all other sports and cultural events; and (6) A state funeral, the arrangements for and the expenses of which shall be borne by the Government, upon the death of the National Athlete.

SEC. 4. The National Medal of Excellence in Sports. - There is hereby

established the National Medal of Excellence in Sports (Pambansang Medalya ng Katangi-tanging Husay sa Isports) for outstanding individual and team achievements in international sports competitions. The President of the Philippines shall confer the National Medal of Excellence in Sports upon recommendation by the Komite.

SEC. 5. The Balangay Medal for Sportsmanship. - There is hereby

established the Balangay Medal for Sportsmanship (Gawad Balangay) for heroic sportsmanship shown by athletes during local or international competitions, exemplifying the values of honesty, fairness, selflessness, sacrifice, amity, and goodwill. The President of the Philippines shall confer the Balangay Medal for Sportsmanship upon recommendation by the Komite.

SEC. 6. Komite ng Bayaning At/etang Pilipino. - There is hereby created

the Komite ng Bayaning Atletang Pilipino, which shall be under the Office of the 29 President, and shall be composed of the following: a) Chairperson of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), as Chairperson; b) Secretary of the Department of Education or an authorized representative, as Member;

1 c) Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education or an authorized representative, as Member; d) President of the Philippine Olympic Committee or an authorized representative, as Member; 5 e) President of the Philippine Paralympic Committee or an authorized representative, as Member; 7 f) Chairperson of the National Youth Commission or an authorized representative, as Member; and 9 g) Chairperson of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines or an authorized representative, as Member.

SEC. 7. Role and Function of the Komite ng Bayaning Atletang Pilipino.

12 - The Komite shall approve the criteria, standards, nomination and selection processes, and benefits and privileges of the recipients of the awards under this Act.

SEC. 8. National Endowment Fund for Sports Heroes. - There is hereby

established a National Endowment Fund for Sports Heroes to exclusively fund the benefits provided under this Act and to support the continuous trainings of all the awardees and their participation or exposure in international competitions. a) The amount of One Billion Pesos (P1,000,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated as seed money of the Endowment Fund: Provided, That no grant shall be awarded by the Komite except from the interest drawn from the Fund: Provided, further, That no grant shall be awarded until after one (1) year from the organization of the Fund; b) Government corporations are hereby authorized to give grants to the Fund at their discretion, but not to exceed fifteen percent (15%) of their unimpaired surplus; The private portion of the Fund shall be raised from donations and other conveyances, including funds, materials, property, and services, by gratuitous title; d) Contributions to the Fund shall be deductible for income tax purposes, in accordance with the applicable provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code, as amended;

e) For the sound and judicious management of the Fund, the Komite shall appoint a reputable government-accredited investment institution as Fund Manager, subject to the guidelines promulgated by the Komite; f) The Komite shall be the administrator of the Fund, and as such, shall prepare the implementing guidelines and decision-making mechanisms, subject to the following: (1) Unless otherwise stipulated by the private donor, only earnings of private contributions shall be used; (2) No part of the seed capital of the Fund, including earnings thereof, shall be used to underwrite overhead expenses for administration; (3) The Komite shall organize a separate staff to be headed by a comptroller appointed by and directly responsible and accountable to the Komite; and (4) There shall be an external auditor that will perform an annual audit of the Fund's performance.

SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days

from the effectivity of this Act, the Komite shall promulgate the rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 10. Appropriations. - The amount of One Billion Pesos

(P1,000,000,000.00) to serve as seed money of the National Endowment Fund for Sports Heroes as provided under Section 8 of this Act is hereby appropriated. The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the PSC. Thereafter, such appropriations necessary for the continuation and enhancement of the program shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 11. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is

declared unconstitutional, the remainder hereof or any provisions not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.

SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,

executive order, letter of instruction, rule, or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 13. Effectivity, - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

2 complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,