EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 535, June 09, 2006

RATIONALIZING PENSIONS FOR RETIRED ATHLETES

WHEREAS, Administrative Order No. 352 dated 24 July 1997 provided for a monthly incentive allowance plan to all living Olympic and Asian Games medalists forty (40) years old and over, and all living Olympic/Asian Games medalists who are incapacitated regardless of age;

WHEREAS, Administrative Order No. 352 estimated the initial budgetary requirement of the monthly incentive allowance plan to be P10.5 Million;

WHEREAS, Administrative Order No. 352 provided that the funds for the implementation of the plan shall be secured from the regular budget of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC);

WHEREAS, in accordance with Administrative Order No. 352, in various board resolutions, the PSC Board approved the grant of monthly pensions to twenty-two (22) former athletes, twenty (20) of which are still alive;

WHEREAS, Section 8 Republic Act No. 9064 dated 5 April, 2001 granted cash incentives for National Athletes who win gold, silver and bronze medals in international competitions in specified amounts;

WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 9064 provided that the amount necessary for the cash incentives shall be taken from the net cash income of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), to be remitted directly as a special account to the National Sports Development Fund of the PSC. This is in addition to the regular income share of the PSC pursuant to Republic Act No. 6847;

WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 9064 provided that any national athlete who prior to its enactment had won gold, silver or bronze medals in international competitions except SEA Games shall be entitled to fifty percent (50%) of the cash incentives provided under Section 8 of such Republic Act. Such incentives shall be the difference between the cash award received under Administrative Order No. 352 and the cash award provided under Republic Act No. 9064;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA M. ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order:

Section 1. CONTINUATION OF MONTHLY INCENTIVE ALLOWANCE. The PSC shall continue to grant monthly incentive allowance to the twenty (20) living former athletes granted such allowance in various board resolutions. PAGCOR shall remit the amount necessary for the monthly incentive allowance to the PSC to be credited to its income share pursuant to Republic Act No. 6847;

Section 2. ADDITIONAL CASH INCENTIVES. The PSC shall grant to the same twenty (20) living former athletes fifty percent (50%) of the cash incentives provided under Section 8 of Republic Act No. 9064. PAGCOR shall remit the amount necessary for the cash incentives to the National Sports Development Fund of the PSC.

Section 3. EFFECTIVITY. This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 9th day of June, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Six.

(SGD.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

By the President:

(SGD.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA

Executive Secretary