Dear PAO,

I was in a sports shop yesterday planning to buy a set of new boxing gloves that I will use for training. I was told that I can avail of a discount when I buy a training equipment because I am an athlete. However, the owner told me that I needed to be accredited prior to getting the discount. Is this true? Please help me be clarified. Thank you.

Jhong

Dear Jhong,

Our government strives to promote excellence in sports by safeguarding the welfare of national athletes and coaches who represent the country in various competitions. As a result, Republic Act (RA) 10699 was implemented to provide rights and incentives to national athletes and coaches.

According to the said law, national athletes and coaches are given a twenty percent (20%) discount on various products and services. It states:

“SECTION 4. Benefits and Privileges for National Athletes and Coaches. – Any national athlete and coach, as defined herein and who is currently registered as such, shall be entitled to the following:

“a. The grant of twenty percent (20%) discount from all establishments relative to the utilization of transportation services, hotels and other lodging establishments, restaurants and recreation centers and purchase of medicine and sports equipment anywhere in the country for the actual and exclusive use or enjoyment of the national athlete and coach; x x x”

Based on the aforementioned law, national athletes and coaches are given a twenty percent (20%) discount in all establishments for transportation, hotels and other lodging places, restaurants, and entertainment centers. Additionally, discounts are provided on medicine and sports equipment they purchase anywhere in the country. The law also emphasizes that the said discount is only for the actual and exclusive use of the national athlete and coach.

However, the coverage of the law gives a clear limitation. As defined by Section 3(c) of the same law, national athletes must be recognized and accredited by appropriate bodies. Accordingly:

“SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall be defined as follows: x x x

“c. National athletes shall refer to athletes including persons with disabilities who are Filipino citizens, members of the national training pool, recognized and accredited by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the PSC, including athletes with disabilities (AWD) who are recognized and accredited by the NPC PHIL and the PSC and who have represented the country in international sports competitions; and x x x”

To answer your question, it is clear that the law requires athletes claiming to avail of the rights, incentives, and discounts afforded to national athletes to be recognized and accredited by the appropriate governing bodies. Hence, the owner of the sports shop you went to is correct. If you failed to prove that you are duly recognized and accredited by the above-mentioned organizations and bodies, then you may not avail of the discount privileges granted by law to national athletes and coaches.

We hope that we were able to answer your queries. This advice was based solely on the facts you have narrated and our appreciation of the same. Our opinion may vary when other facts are changed or elaborated.

Thank you for your continued trust and support.

Editor’s note: Dear PAO is a daily column of the Public Attorney’s Office. Questions for Chief Acosta may be sent to [email protected]