Big boost to Philippines sports

SC approves petition on PAGCOR remittance to PSC

MANILA, Philippines — Great news on the heels of Carlos Yulo’s twin kill in the Paris Olympics: More money is coming to Philippine sports’ war chest.

In a development that could help sustain the Olympic gains, the Supreme Court acted favorably on the petition seeking to give the Philippine Sports Commission its full share of five percent of gross income from the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corp. as mandated by law.

The petition was filed in 2016 by former congressman Yeng Guiao, who sought to enforce Section 26 of Republic Act 6847 or the PSC law that mandates the gaming body to remit five percent of its gross earnings to the national sports development fund (NSDF).

With the SC decision, the PSC’s NSDF coffers stand to get billions in pesos from Pagcor, not to mention the sports agency’s share from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office that was also included in the petition.

“It’s been long overdue. This is justice for Filipino athletes and for the Philippine sports grassroots programs. It’s a boon for all sports and sports-loving Filipinos,” Guiao told The STAR.

“Our patience paid off even if it looked like a lonely battle from the beginning. (I’m) So happy for the next generation of Filipinos who love sports. We hope our sports leaders will put these resources to good use,” added the current coach of Rain or Shine in the PBA.

Due to a different interpretation by the Pagcor, the PSC has been receiving five percent of Pagcor’s net income (or 2.5 percent of its gross income) since 1993, which even dwindled to about 2.1375 percent of its gross income on an Executive Order from the Office of the President issued during Fidel V. Ramos’ term.

The High Court has also ordered the PCSO to account and remit 30 percent of the charity fund of the proceeds of six sweepstakes or lottery draws per annum, as also indicated in Republic Act 6847.

Meanwhile, President Marcos yesterday honored the Filipino Olympians who were not able to attend the heroes’ welcome last week.

Marcos had a meet-and-greet with golfer Dottie Ardina and gymnasts Aleah Cruz Finnegan, Emma Malabuyo and Levi Ruivivar at Malacañang, where he awarded each with P2 million and conferred on them presidential citations.

For PSC chairman Richard Bachmann, Team Philippines’ Paris showing “was gold.”

“This is the best medal haul of the country ever…And if you look at the milestones achieved, we won gold medals in two consecutive Olympics – Hidilyn Diaz in Tokyo (2021) and Carlos Yulo in Paris,” Bachmann said in a special session of the PSA Forum yesterday.

“So if I would rate Team Philippines’ performance in the Olympics through medals, then I would give it a gold,” he added.