ni Atty. Persida Rueda-Acosta @Magtanong Kay Attorney | September 21, 2023
Dear Chief Acosta,
Ako ay isang national athlete na nagrerepresenta sa Pilipinas sa larong chess. Bilang national athlete, ako ay rehistrado sa Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) at accredited ng Philippine Olympic Committee (POC). Noong nakaraang buwan ay kinailangan kong bumiyahe mula Maynila patungong Cebu, subalit, nang ipinakita ko ang aking Philippine National Sports Team ID, at maging ang kaakibat nitong booklet, ay tumanggi ang airline company na bigyan ako ng diskwento sapagkat wala diumanong nakasaad na diskwento para sa mga atleta sa kanilang mga panuntunan.
Maaari ba iyon? - Gener
Dear Gener,
Ang batas na sasaklaw patungkol sa iyong katanungan ay ang Republic Act No. 10699 o mas kilala bilang “National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act.” Nakasaad sa Section 4 ng nasabing batas na:
“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.”
Kaugnay nito, nakasaad sa kaakibat na Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) ng nasabing batas na:
“SECTION 1. Issuance of Philippine National Sports Team Member Card (ID) and Booklet. — Upon submission of the required documentary requirements and compliance with reasonable procedures to be enforced by the PSC, the Chairman of the PSC shall issue a Philippine National Sports Team (PNSTM) Identification Card and Booklet to the national athlete and national coach. The PNSTM Card and Booklet shall be valid for two (2) years and shall be subject to renewal thereafter.
SECTION 2. Availment. — The benefits and privileges provided herein and other benefits granted to the national athletes and national coaches shall be for the actual and exclusive use or enjoyment of the national athlete or national coach.
It shall be availed by the said athlete or coach upon presentation of a valid PNSTM Identification Card. In certain cases as provided herein, a Booklet or other certification showing that the availment is for the actual and exclusive use and enjoyment of the national athlete or national coach may be required.
SECTION 11. Penalties. — (a) Any person violating the provisions of Section 4(a) and (b) of this Act shall suffer the following penalties:
1. For the first violation, a fine of not less than fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) but not exceeding one hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than six (6) months but not more than two (2) years, or both, at the discretion of the court;
2. For any subsequent violation, a fine of not less than one hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) but not exceeding two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than two (2) years but not more than six (6) years, or both, at the discretion of the court.
Upon filing of an appropriate complaint, and after due notice and hearing, the proper authorities may also cause the cancellation or revocation of the business permit, permit to operate, franchise and other similar privileges granted to any business entity that fails to abide by the provisions of this Act.”
Ayon sa batas, at kaakibat nitong IRR, kasama sa mga benepisyo ng isang national athlete o coach ang 20% diskwento sa pamasahe sa pampublikong transportasyon.
Upang matamasa ang nasabing diskwento, kinakailangan na ipakita ng nasabing national athlete o coach ang kanyang PNSTM ID at Booklet na nagpapatunay na siya ay isang lehitimong national athlete o coach. Nakasaad din sa nasabing batas na ang sinumang susuway sa nabanggit na probisyon ay maaaring pagmultahin ng halagang Php 50,000.00 hanggang Php200,000.00 o pagkakakulong ng hindi bababa sa anim na buwan at hindi hihigit sa anim na taon.
Malinaw ring nakapaloob sa mga nabanggit na probisyon na ang paglabag sa batas ay maaaring mauwi sa kanselasyon o pagbawi ng business permit, permit to operate, o prangkisa ng negosyo. Kaya naman hindi maaaring ipagkait sa iyo ang nasabing diskwento nang dahil lamang diumano ay walang diskwento sa mga atleta sa panuntunan ng kumpanya.
Sana ay nabigyan namin ng linaw ang iyong katanungan. Ang payong aming ibinigay ay base lamang sa mga impormasyon na iyong inilahad at maaaring magbago kung mababawasan o madaragdagan ang mga detalye ng iyong salaysay.
Maraming salamat sa iyong patuloy na pagtitiwala.
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