RA 10676

The Senate and Congress, by consolidating Senate Bill #2226 and House Bill #5115, passed on June 10, 2015 the Student-Athletes Protection Act.  This was approved and signed into law by President Benigno Simeon Aquino on August 26, 2015. 

Republic Act Number 10676, in its full title says, “An Act Protecting the Amateur Nature of the Student-Athletes in the Philippines by Regulating the Residency Requirement and Prohibiting the Commercialization of Student-Athletes.”

The law specifically protects the rights of student-athletes which ensures them of quality education and at the same time developing their respective skills and talents, at the same time an amateur sports status.  With this law in effect, there will be no more residency issues for student-athletes transferring to other schools.

If the student-athlete decides to jump ship, his mother school is prohibited by law from letting the student reimburse scholarships and other incentives given.  The school is likewise directed to release school records, grades, clearances and eligibility for transfer at the behest of the student-athlete and is prohibited to impose other forms of sanctions.Prior to the enactment of this law, student-athletes planning to seek greener pastures are tentative on their decisions fearing their school records and other release documents could be withheld.

Further, Section 5 of thislaw allows schools to grant incentives and benefits to qualified individuals provided such incentives, particularly monetary considerations, are within the standards set by the athletic association where the school belongs.  However, Section 6 prohibits schools from giving other incentives aside from those mentioned on Sec. 5 that could result in the commercialization of the student-athlete.

This section can be abused.  There is no mention of prohibiting individuals holding high positions in the business community who are alumni and major supporters of their alma maters.  This is quite obvious in the bigger school leagues where alumni backing is borderline fanatical.  How many times do we see business moguls and big name politicians on the stands who are graduates of these schools showing and wearing their school colors.  And their support, monetary or otherwise is known.

This law protects the general well-being of the student-athlete.  Well and good.  But it leaves the abandoned school high and dry from the loss of talent.  From their early years, schools have diligently nurtured and developed their athletes’ potential.In a few years, these athletes, with their work ethic and dedication,improved their skills and game IQ.  They have gained so much experience that their presence and value on the team is important.

Their development attracted several coaches from other schools outside of their region.  Discreet meetings and phone calls, without the knowledge of team officials and the school itself were done.  In the blink of an eye, athletes found a new nesting ground.  Piracy of players can now be based on RA 10676, sadly leaving provincial schools wanting and at the losing end of the deal.

It is common courtesy for school and team officials to confer with other schools interested with the services of particular athletes.  Discussing the pros and cons will result in mutual understanding in whatever agreements that could be reached.  There will be no hurt feelings and both sides will be generally at ease with each other.

Let’s cut the bullcrap on athletes magically appearing in practice.  These student-athletes alone can’t simply hop on a plane on their own, fly somewhere and hope and pray that they may be allowed to join scrimmages.  Logistics as to accommodations and daily subsistence are involved and surely, some personalities are involved and had facilitated it.

A coach lamented saying that provincial schools gave these athletes playing time, developed their talents only to be pirated by schools from the big cities.  It could have been their time to give back to their schools but they were lured with more incentives by the competition.  Bad thing is that usually, the mother school only gets to know of the information from news reports, the other party denying up to the moment they’re officially on the roster and wearing a different uniform.

Maybe an amendatory clause to this law can be added to address the concerns of provincial schools. (FREEMAN)