House OKs Libingan ng mga Bayani burial for sports icons
Libingan ng mga Bayani located in Taguig City —Photo courtesy of Luisa Cabato
MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a measure that will allow Filipino sports heroes to be buried at Libingan ng mga Bayani.
In a plenary session on Monday, 196 lawmakers unanimously gave the final nod to House Bill No. 11229, or the proposed Commemoration of Filipino Sports Heroes Act.
In his sponsorship of the measure, Isabela Rep. Faustino Michael Carlos Dy III underscored the positive impact on society of the country’s sports icons, especially the youth.
READ: IN THE KNOW: Libingan ng mga Bayani
Dy, who chairs the House committee on youth and sports development, pointed out that Filipino athletes embody the values and virtues cherished in the country aside from being sources of inspiration and strength.
Article continues after this advertisementSports champions, he said, were “modern heroes” who bring Filipinos together, and allowing them to rest at Libingan ng mga Bayani was a way of immortalizing their achievements.
Article continues after this advertisementHB 11229 aims to commemorate and honor Filipino sports heroes who have brought immense pride and honor to the country and made significant contributions, dedicating their lives to their respective athletic fields.
The bill defines “Filipino sports heroes” as national athletes, including persons with disability, who have “distinguished themselves in their particular field of sports, possessed good moral character and integrity, represented and brought honor and glory to the country by winning any medal in the Olympics or Paralympics Games or a World Championship in any professional sports competition sanctioned by any of the international governing bodies of various sports, and recognized as such by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Games and Amusements Board.”
Filipino athletes, coaches, or trainers inducted into the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame are considered sports heroes under the measure.
But to qualify, they “must be citizens of the Philippines either from birth, without having to perform any act to acquire or perfect their Philippine citizenship, or those who are former Filipino citizens by birth who are naturalized in another country but acquired Philippine citizenship, making them dual citizens of both the Philippines and the country where they were naturalized.”
A screening committee, headed by the PSC, would be created to determine and recommend sports heroes eligible for the privilege.
At the moment, Philippine presidents, Armed Forces chiefs of staff, soldiers, war veterans, and heroes are among those qualified to be interred at Libingan ng mga Bayani.
