House OKs tax-free donations for athletes, stricter candidate substitution

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved on third and final reading several measures, including the exemption of athletes from paying taxes on donations and rewards and the removal of the withdrawal of certificate of candidacy for candidate substitution.

House Bill 10723, which obtained an overwhelming 203 votes, not only exempts rewards awarded by brands and companies following an athlete’s victory, but also donations used for the preparation of national athletes one year before the tournament.

Once signed and enacted into law by President Marcos, the proposed piece of legislation would also in effect amend the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act (Republic Act 10699).

The bill exempts from national or local taxes, fees and charges “all incentives, rewards, bonuses and other forms of emoluments, as well as donations, gifts, endowments and contributions, whether from public or private persons or entities, received by national athletes who compete or win in international sports competitions,” including those received by their coaches.

Lawmakers also stamped their approval on House Bill 10524 with 195 votes, which seeks to remove the withdrawal of the certificate of candidacy as a ground for substituting candidates by political parties and add permanent incapacity as a new ground.

The legislation seeks to amend Section 77 of the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines, acknowledging the need to strengthen the country’s electoral system by preventing the mockery of the electoral system by fielding candidates merely as placeholders just to comply with the electoral deadline of filing for candidacy.

The measure includes permanent incapacity as an additional ground for substitution of candidates to ensure that only those who are put in front of the public during the campaign period will be the ones to serve the people should they be elected.

At the same time, the House also approved on third and final reading the proposed measure to provide “cheaper and more accessible” internet for all.

Lawmakers overwhelmingly approved House Bill 10699, also known as the Sana All May Internet Act, with a vote of 203.

The bill eliminates the spectrum users fee (SUF) that telcos currently pay to the national government regulator for the use of specific frequencies.

With the zero SUF, the lawmakers believe the measure will “encourage and empower small players in the industry to provide affordable internet services, especially in the unserved and underserved areas.”

The legislators clarified, however, that the measure shall in no way amend or repeal The Free Internet Access in Public Places Act (Republic Act 10929).