SC ruling on sports funds hailed as historic victory

BACOLOD CITY — The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) praised former lawmaker and basketball coach Yeng Guiao for spearheading a landmark Supreme Court (SC) case that compels the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to remit long-overdue sports funds.

The SC, voting unanimously 15–0, denied with finality the motions for reconsideration filed by PAGCOR and PCSO, upholding its May 2024 ruling that ordered both agencies to fully comply with Republic Act 6847.

The ruling compels PAGCOR to remit five percent of its annual gross income to the PSC dating back to 1993 and orders PCSO to remit 30 percent of proceeds from six lottery or sweepstakes draws per year—including lotto—from 2006 onward.

The estimated balance due is PHP 33 billion, to be paid over 10 years.

The decision, penned by Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, emphasized that these remittances must be made without deductions, and clarified that “lottery” under the PSC law includes all games of chance meeting the elements of consideration, prize, and chance—such as lotto.

Guiao filed the petition for mandamus in 2016, citing decades of under-remittance by both agencies and invoking Section 26 of RA 6847.

He broke the news at a joint press conference Friday night at Philsports Arena alongside PSC Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio and PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez, following the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup semifinals.

“Coach Yeng, thank you very much… You know, I’ve been telling everybody that now’s the time for Philippine sports to be on the rise,” said Gutierrez. “Because of Coach Yeng’s initiative, the Supreme Court strengthened it again.”

He assured transparency in fund use: “Makakaasa kayo—from the Philippine Football Federation, and I’m sure I speak for all other NSAs—that whatever comes our way in terms of financial support, makakarating direkta ’yan sa pagpapaunlad ng atletang Pinoy.”

Guiao, for his part, reflected on the decade-long struggle.

“Merry Christmas to the athletes and the sporting public in general, to our youth. We did this for the Filipino athletes, para sa mga kababayan natin,” Guiao said.

“It’s almost 10 years. Actually, last year nakuha natin yung main decision, but the MR took almost another year. And now it’s final and executory.”

He added, “It’s a long, hard struggle. It’s been forgotten by a lot of people. But it’s a victory for Philippine sports… We have no excuse anymore. We can compete at a level where hindi tayo nakakahiya.”

Guiao also thanked the Supreme Court and his pro-bono counsel, Atty. June Guzman.

“All of them—15–0. It’s really the PSC law that needs to be implemented. Let’s take care of the dreams of our athletes. Huwag nating nakawin yung mga pangarap nila,” he said.

PSC Chairman Gregorio described the ruling as a “blessing for the Filipino youth” and outlined priorities for using the remitted funds.

“These include athlete welfare—food, clothing, training, foreign exposure, and top-level coaching—as well as long-overdue upgrades to facilities like the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex and Philsports Arena, which we envision as the country’s House of Futsal,” Gregorio said.

He added that regional training centers and major sports tourism events are also part of the PSC’s long-term plan.

Addressing questions on fund accountability, Gregorio assured full transparency and strict oversight.

“All eyes are on us. The Philippine Sports Commission law is beautiful—kailangan lang gawin nang tama,” he said.

“I was placed here because the [Philippine] President [Bongbong Marcos] knows we can take care of this fund. It is mortal sin if we do not use this money properly,” Gregorio added.

“We will make sure na masasala ang pondo. We have corporate experience, government oversight… and monitoring. This is a blessing for the Filipino youth. And we will make sure it is well spent.”

PFF emphasized that the ruling allows for greater support across all sports and empowers federations to enhance grassroots development, elite training, and long-term athlete sustainability.

“This is the dream of the next generation of Filipino athletes,” said Gutierrez. “And we will honor that dream.”