The House of Representatives approved on the third and final reading the proposed House Bill 9990, known as Hidilyn Diaz Act, last August 31, 2021, which seeks exemption from national and local tax on the rewards, incentives, and bonuses for athletes and their coaches competing in international events.
The bill named after Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz passed with 205 affirmative votes, only a month after the Zamboanga-native weightlifter brought home Philippine’s first gold Olympic medal.
The Hidilyn Act seeks to amend Republic Act No. 10699, also referred to as the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act, to emphasize exempting all incentives, rewards, and gifts given to the athletes from any national or local taxes, fees, and charges.
Albeit the fast approval of the Hidilyn Diaz Act, Senator Pia Cayetano filed a counterpart measure last August 3 titled Senate Bill No. 2341, also exempting rewards given by private entities to coaches and athletes from local and national taxes, which remains pending status.
