Declaring Arnis as National Martial Art and Sport

Section 2 defines Arnis (also known as Eskrima, Kali, Garrote, and other names in various regional languages) as an indigenous Filipino martial art and sport.
Section 2 characterizes Arnis by swinging and twirling movements accompanied by striking, thrusting, and parrying techniques for defense and offense.
Section 2 provides that Arnis is usually done using one (1) or two (2) sticks or similar implements.
Section 2 provides that Arnis is also performed with bare hands and feet for striking, blocking, locking, and grappling using the same principle as that with the canes.
Section 2 recognizes regional names for Arnis, including “Pananandata” (Tagalog), “Pagkalikali” (Ibanag), “Kabaraon” and “Kalirongan” (Pangasinan), “Kaliradman” (Bisaya), and “Didja” (Ilokano).

Section 3 declares Arnis as the Philippine National Martial Art and Sport.
Section 3 requires official adoption of Arnis through two promulgation acts:
- inscribing the symbol of Arnis in the official seal of the Philippine Sports Commission; and
- making it the first sport competition to be played by participating teams on the first day in the annual Palarong Pambansa.
Section 3 designates the Philippine Sports Commission as the lead agency to implement the provisions of the Act.

Section 4 requires the Department of Education, the National Commission for Culture and Arts, and the Philippine Sports Commission to promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to carry out the Act’s provisions.

Section 5 repeals, amends, or modifies accordingly any provision of law, decree, executive order, rule, or regulation that conflicts with or is inconsistent with the Act’s provisions and/or purposes.

Section 6 provides that the Act takes effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Republic Act No. 9850 is approved December 11, 2009.
The Act’s enactment is reflected as December 11, 2009, with Senate and House passage recorded as finalized on October 14, 2009.
The Act’s filing identifiers include S. No. 3288 and H. No. 6516, and it is noted with 106 OG No. 9, 1120 (March 1, 2010).