With a budget that could reach more than a billion pesos in 2025, the Philippine Sports Commission has the potential to do more for national athletes, the national sports associations and the country’s grassroots development program.
PSC chairman Richard Bachmann said a lot can be done in the new year with an increase coming from the national budget and the possible implementation of the Supreme Court ruling handed down seven months ago.
“The PSC has been working with the legislators. I get visits from parents who support their kids at medyo nahihirapan din sila,” said Bachmann on the support it has for young athletes and grassroots development.
Bachmann said he expects more than a P1 billion to reach the hands of the PSC with recent developments.
“It’s more than a billion, we used to average P110 million a month and we were able to close with a net of close to P800 million (in 2024). Wala pa du’n iyung proposals ng mga legislators natin. This is actually history (at the PSC), that we are getting more funding,” said Bachmann.
The government sports agency is set to meeting this week, starting on Monday to discuss the funding that Malacanang and the lawmakers have allocated to the PSC.
Senate Committee on Sports chairman Christopher “Bong” Go’s proposal to increase the budget of the PSC is now awaiting implementation with President Marcos set to sign the P6.352 trillion national budget.
For 2024, only P174 million was proposed in the national expenditure program for the PSC,
But in 2025, Go is supporting an increased by P600 million to support the upgrading of the Rizal Memorial Complex, enhance services for athletes and coaches and facilitate the conduct of the Philippine National Games.
“In the mandate of the PSC, we cannot actually fund all the youth. So, I’m asking the legislators to help me tweak our mandate,” added Bachmann.
The agency is also awaiting the implementation of a unanimous Supreme Court decision penned by Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, ordering the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to remit a portion of their income for the funding of the PSC.
Josseler M. Guiao, former member of the House of Representatives and Vice Chairperson of the House Committee on Youth and Sports Development and currently coach of Rain or Shine in the Philippine Basketball Association, won the case he filed and was decided on last May.
“We’re ready for 2025. I’m excited once they finalize the budget of the PSC, then, we will start moving with our projects and events,” said Bachmann.
The decision was done on a petition for mandamus to compel PAGCOR, PCSO, and the Office of the President to remit funds to the PSC under Republic Act No. (RA) 6847, or the law creating the PSC.
“We’re still waiting for PAGCOR, we’re still waiting for the Office of the President,” Bachmann, who is set to discuss with the PAGCOR and the Office of the President on their word in the Supreme Court verdict.
The court has ordered PAGCOR to account and remit the full amount of 5% of its gross annual income from 1993 to the present in favor of the PSC.
It was also ordered by the court that the PCSO must account and remit to the PSC around 30% representing the charity fund of the proceeds of six sweepstakes or lottery draws per year, including its lotto draws from 2006 to the present.
“By Monday, we will have the total figure and the breakdown. So, we’re waiting,” said Bachmann.
