Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 6847)
The title of Republic Act No. 6847 is "The Philippine Sports Commission Act."
The policy of the State is to promote physical education, encourage and sustain the development of sports to foster physical fitness, self-discipline, teamwork and excellence for a healthy and alert citizenry through a unified national sports promotion and development program.
The Philippine Sports Commission is the body created to carry out the national sports development policy.
The Commission has the same status as a governmental regulatory national agency attached to the Office of the President. The Chairman has the rank of a department undersecretary and the Commissioners that of assistant secretaries.
Its objectives are to provide leadership, formulate policies, set priorities for national amateur sports promotion, encourage wide participation from all sectors, and supplement government appropriations for sports promotion and development.
The Commission plans and implements an integrated amateur sports program, establishes linkages with international sports bodies, bids to host Olympic Games, develops sports facilities, regulates sports complexes, promulgates implementing rules, supports manufacturing of sports equipment, grants awards and recognition, coordinates regional sports councils, conducts research and promotional campaigns, among others.
The Commission is composed of a Chairman and four Commissioners, all appointed by the President.
They must be Filipino citizens, publicly recognized in sports, at least 30 years old, and of good moral character.
It can appoint personnel, enter into contracts, acquire property, regulate sports equipment, confer awards, supervise national sports associations, accept donations, impose sanctions, and perform acts necessary to fulfill its functions.
The POC is recognized as the National Olympic Committee, autonomous, with primary responsibility over the country's participation in Olympic, Asian, Southeast Asian, and other international competitions.
They are autonomous and have exclusive technical control over their respective sports, subject to the supervisory powers of the Commission.
The Chairman of the Commission appoints or designates the Executive Director, preferably from among the Commissioners.
The Commission is exempt from customs duties and taxes on importation of sports equipment. Donations to the Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee are exempt from donor's and estate taxes and are deductible from taxable income. Use of sports facilities is exempt from tax.
Funds come from appropriations from the National Treasury, a portion of lottery and sweepstakes proceeds, taxes on horse races on special holidays, 5% of PAGCOR's gross income, proceeds from the sale of sports-related stamps, and 3% of taxes on imported athletic equipment.
They were abolished and their functions, appropriations, records, and properties were transferred to the Philippine Sports Commission.