Unfair residency rules  imposed by schools and athletic associations are now prohibited under a law signed by President Benigno Aquino III last week, which   aims to protect the rights of student athletes.

Republic Act 10676, or the Student-Athletes Protection Act was spearheaded in the House of Representatives by Deputy Speaker Roberto Puno, the chairman of the National Unity Party (NUP),  and Senator Pia Cayetano in the Senate.

The measure  bars athletic associations and schools from imposing the controversial two-year residency rule on student athletes.

Instead of a two-year residency rule, the Student-Athletes Protection Act now requires athletic associations to impose a maximum one-year stay on a college student transferring from one college or university to another before he or she could participate and represent a school in sports events. 

Under the measure, no residency requirement shall be imposed on a student-athlete who is a high school graduate entering a college or university. For high school student athletes transferring to another high school,  athletic associations may impose a maximum residency of one year to address the issue of piracy.

“These residency rules also apply to Filipino student-athletes from other countries enrolling in a school in the Philippines. However, these  rules are without prejudice  to the respective rules of athletic associations on student athletes who are foreign imports,” Puno said.

The proposed Act also bars educational institutions  from imposing penalties, such as the filing of administrative charges against,  and withholding or delaying the release of grades of,  student-athletes who choose to transfer from one school to another.

In terms of incentives, the measure allows the grant to student-athletes of the following benefits: free tuition and miscellaneous fees,  books and other learning materials; full board and lodging; school and athletic uniforms, including supplies, equipment and paraphernalia; medical examinations and consultations, emergency medical services, and life and medical insurance.

Schools are also allowed to grant student-athletes “a reasonable regular monthly allowance, the amount of which shall be set and standardized by the athletic association to which the school is affiliated with,” the proposed law states.

An athletic association found to have violated provisions of the Act shall be penalized with a fine ranging from P100,000 to P1,000,000 depending on the gravity of the offense.

A school found guilty of violating  the Act’s provisions shall be suspended from participating in the athletic organization where it belongs and fined  from P100,000 to P1,000,000 depending on the gravity of the offense.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Education (DepEd) were designated as the regulating agencies authorized to handle complaints against the athletic associations and schools and ensure that the rights of student-athletes are protected. “They may consult the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) for technical expertise, as may be needed,” the Act states.