Philippine E-sports Development Act

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 JUL 14 P4:17 SENATE RECEIVED S. No. 590 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. MARK A. VILLAR ROC

• Biller TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES JUL 14 P4:17 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVE SY S. No. _ 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

2 Development Act".

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the significant role of

4 electronic sports (e-sports) in youth development, digital innovation, and economic 5 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 7 and protection of e-sports athletes and stakeholders.

Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For the purpose of this Act, the following terms

9 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;

d) E-sports organization refers to a corporation or organization established for the purpose of engaging in activities or a business relating to e- sports; e) E-sports facilities refers to stadiums, gadgets, equipment, machineries and other facilities for e-sports.

Sec. 4. Establishment of Philippine Electronic Sports (E-sports) Commission

(PESC). - The Philippine Electronic Sports (E-sports) Commission is hereby established as the governing body to organize, oversee and monitor e-sports activities in the country. It shall be an independent body from the existing Philippine Sports 10 Commission.

Sec. 5. Board of Trustees. - The PESC shall be administered by a Board of

Trustees hereinafter referred as the Board, to be composed of the following: a) Secretary of the Department of Education, as Chairperson; b) Secretary of the Department of Tourism, as Vice-Chairperson; c) Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology; d) Chairperson of the Commission of Higher Education; e) Chairperson of the Philippine Sports Commission; f) Two representatives from the private sector; and g) Chairperson of the Philippine E-sports Commission. The members of the Board enumerated in subparagraphs (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) shall serve as ex-officio members. The ex-officio members of the Board may designate their respective alternates who shall be the officials next-in-rank to them and whose acts shall be considered as the acts of their principals. The members of the Board enumerated in subparagraphs (f) and (g) shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines. The appointive members of the Board shall serve for four (4) years and may be reappointed for a second term, unless sooner removed for a cause.

Sec. 6. Powers and Functions. - In order to achieve the purposes of this Act,

the Board shall have the following powers and functions: a) Serve as the national sports association for e-sports and the sole accrediting body of e-sports organizations;

b) Formulate and implement uniform policies, rules and format for e-sports activities in the Philippines; c) Establish a master plan for the medium and long-term development of e- sports; d) Promote international tournaments and events relating to e-sports and international cooperation and exchange in e-sports; e) Promote scientific activities for e-sports and the creation of the infrastructure therefor; f) Secure financial resources for the development of e-sports; g) Establish an e-sports industry support center which shall extend counseling services, among others; h) Come up with mechanisms promoting a well-balanced family-education- e-sports life of the student players; and i) Select individuals, organizations, enterprises, etc., that have significantly contributed to the development of e-sports to reward them for their contributions.

Sec. 7. Organizational Structure and Staffing Pattern. - The Board shall

determine the organizational structure and staffing pattern of the PESC subject to the evaluation by the Civil Service Commission and of the Organizational Position Classification and Compensation Bureau of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

Sec. 8. Chairperson of PESC. - The PESC shall be headed by a Chairperson who

shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines for a term of four (4) years and may be reappointed for a second term: The Chairperson shall have the following powers and functions: a) Execute the policies, rules and format approved by the Board and be responsible for the efficient discharge of management and operational functions; b) Submit for the consideration and approval of the Board proposed measures, policies, and rules as deemed necessary or proper for the effective implementation of the purposes and objectives of the Act;

c) Represent the PESC in all dealings with other persons or entities, whether domestic or foreign, and whether government or private; and d) Exercise other functions and powers and perform such other duties as may be vested or reposed by the Board.

Sec. 9. Appropriations.

- The amount necessary for the effective implementation of the provisions of this Act shall be taken from the current year's appropriation of the department or agencies concerned. Thereafter, such sums as may be needed for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act..

Sec. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - Within sixty (60) days

from the effectivity of this Act, the Chairperson of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and other concerned agencies, shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations and other issuances as may be necessary to ensure the effective Implementation of this Act.

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

unconstitutional or invalid, the portions or provisions which are not affected shall continue to be in full force and effect.

Sec. 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, issuances, rules

and regulations which may be inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act, are hereby deemed repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

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

publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines. Approved,