Yeng Guiao pulled off the biggest win of his career outside basketball when the Supreme Court affirmed its petition that grants the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) its full share of five percent from the monthly gross revenue of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

Guiao, a former national mentor and current head coach of Rain or Shine in the Philippine Basketball Association, said the recent ruling of the High Court isn’t his personal win, but a victory of countless Filipino athletes who are dreaming of bringing glory to the country.

He said that with the additional funding, Filipino athletes will now have the financial flexibility to train in world-class facilities using equipment that is at par with what stars from powerhouse countries are using. They can also now hire quality coaches and travel the world to compete in tournaments that can help them gain the international exposure they need. 

More than that, no Filipino athlete will now go hungry as the PSC will have enough funding to cover their food, vitamins, supplements and other dietary needs.

“We did this for the Filipino athletes, for the youth, for our countrymen. It has been a long, hard struggle, forgotten by many, but this is a victory for Philippine sports,” Guiao said during a news briefing on Friday graced by PSC chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio and Philippine Football Federation president John Gutierrez.

“This is justice for young athletes, grassroots programs, better coaches, equipment and nutrition. Now, we have no excuse. We can now finally compete without shame.”

As representative of Pampanga’s first district back in 2016, Guiao filed a petition before the Supreme Court a petition that asks both the PAGCOR and the PCSO to remit the full five-percent share of the PSC from their monthly gross income in accordance with Section 26 of the Republic Act 6847 — or the law that created the PSC in 1990.

Guaio stressed that since 1993, PAGCOR and PCSO were not properly remitting the share of the PSC, greatly affecting the training and preparation of national athletes in major international competitions like the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games and the Olympics.

PAGCOR and PCSO fired back, arguing that Guiao violated “the principles of hierarchy of courts,” as he went directly to the Supreme Court. In another motion, PAGCOR argued that the retroactive application of the decision would lead to overremittance and overpayment of their income tax.

Still, in a decision penned by Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, the Supreme Court reiterated that PAGCOR and PCSO must submit a detailed account of the annual amounts owed to the PSC and the actual remittances made each year, from 1993 to present in the case of PAGCOR, and 2006 to present in the case of the PCSO. The Supreme Court said the balance may be paid over a period of 10 years.

“This was almost a 10-year fight. I started in 2016. Last year, the decision favored us, but the MR (motion for reconsideration) took almost another year. Now the Supreme Court decision is final and executable,” Guiao said.

“We still need to be vigilant despite corruption issues, but we must set an example of managing funds well. Let’s take care of the dreams of our youth. Let’s not steal their dreams.”

Gregorio said that with the amount of money they will receive, it will be redirected on improving the sports complexes as well as the establishment of regional training centers that will pave the way for the discovery and development of athletes in far-flung areas.             Ivan Suing

“As PSC chairman, I promise that this money is for Philippine sports. We will take good care of it for the right projects,” said Gregorio, adding that they will put a special premium on the needs of members of the national team.

“In the next three years, the priorities are the athletes’ welfare: Food, uniforms, vehicles, training abroad, long-overdue facilities improvement, and creating regional training centers in the provinces.”

Before the Supreme Court ruling, Gregorio gave members of the national team an increase of P5,000 in their allowances. Those who will be seeing action in the coming 33rd Southeast Asian Games also got an additional P6,000 allowance as well as a Christmas bonus of P18,000.

Gregorio said the verdict is no way a jab at PAGCOR.

“This is not a fight but a clarification. There is no Philippine sports without PAGCOR and PCSO and we are thankful that the Supreme Court has clarified this,” Gregorio said.