Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 10676)
The short title of Republic Act No. 10676 is the 'Student-Athletes Protection Act'.
The main objective of the Act is to protect and promote the rights of student-athletes in the Philippines by regulating residency requirements and prohibiting commercialization, ensuring their academic and athletic development in an amateur sports setting.
A student-athlete is defined as a student currently enrolled in any school who is a member of any of the school's athletic teams or programs, who represents or intends to represent the school in inter-school athletic competitions, and who is enrolled in at least a minimum full-time curricular program and in good standing.
Residency requirements shall not be imposed on high school graduates enrolling in college, nor on high school student-athletes transferring between high schools except a maximum one-year residency may be imposed to address piracy. For tertiary student-athletes transferring between colleges or universities, a maximum of one-year residency may be imposed by athletic associations.
Schools are prohibited from filing administrative charges, requiring payment for fees covered by scholarships, refusing or delaying release of grades or records, giving incomplete grades for exempted subjects, or imposing other punishments solely because a student-athlete transferred to another school.
Schools may grant tuition and miscellaneous fees, full board and lodging, school and athletic uniforms and supplies, a reasonable monthly living allowance standardized by athletic associations, medical and emergency services, insurance, and other reasonable benefits to enhance academic and athletic performance.
Schools are prohibited from offering any benefits or incentives beyond those enumerated in the Act that are contrary to the nature of amateur sports and may lead to commercialization of student-athletes.
The Department of Education (DepED) for basic education and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for higher education are tasked with regulating and overseeing school athletic associations, ensuring protection of student-athletes' rights.
Complaints may be filed by student-athletes, their parents or guardians, member schools or alumni, or any concerned person/entity. Liability may attach to school officials, athletic directors, coaches, administrators, alumni, representatives, and athletic associations or schools who knowingly permit or fail to prevent violations.
Upon notice and hearing, DepED or CHED may impose penalties including suspension from athletic participation and/or fines ranging from P100,000 to P1,000,000 depending on the offense gravity, applicable to erring schools and athletic associations.