by: Mickey Ingles

Whenever I lecture about sports law, I always make this joke that national athletes and coaches are treated as senior citizens… at least when it comes to discounts. Yes, the joke always falls flat on its face (because it’s really not funny), but it’s still a helpful way to tell people that there is a law that actually grants 20% discounts to national athletes and coaches:  RA 10699 along with its corresponding implementing rules and regulations issued by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) in 2016.

(Our previous posts on RA 10699 focused on the cash incentives our national athletes and coaches are set to receive if they win medals in the Olympics and the SEA Games and also questioned why athletes-with-disabilities are only entitled to half of their able-bodied counterparts.)

Another thing that’s not funny is that the public knows little about this law, leading to haphazard implementation and awkward exchanges between national athlete-customers and establishments whenever waiters bring that little black bill holder to the table and the subject of discounts is brought up. So, to make things clear for everyone, let’s take a deep dive into RA 10699 and its IRR and what it has to offer for our national athletes and coaches.

First off, if you’re a national athlete or coach, you have to get your National Sports Team Member Card (National Team ID) and Booklet from the PSC. The National Team ID and Booklet are valid for a year. That’s your proof and ticket to the goodies that the law has to offer. There are some benefits that you can avail of by simply showing your ID, but there are some that require the Booklet as well (it’s noted on the chart below). So, just get both.

Let’s jump into the benefits, with a helpful chart to boot!

Domestic Transpo Privileges	·      20% on all fares for domestic air and sea travel ·      20% on all fares for public land transportation (buses, railways like the LRT and MRT, jeepneys, taxis, and shuttle services)
Hotels and Lodging	·      20% on room accommodations and other amenities offered by the hotel or establishment ·      20% discount applies to hotel-based restaurants, barbershops, parlors, saunas, gyms, internet facilities, even room service!
Restaurants	·      20% on food, drinks, dessert, and other consumable items ·      Also applies to take-out/take-home/drive-thru orders as long as the national athlete or coach is present and personally ordering and presenting his or her National Team ID ·      Also applies to delivery orders (like Grab Food!), as long as the National Team ID number is given when making the order and the ID Card itself is presented upon delivery. (Just like the Shakey’s SuperCard minus the free Hawaiian pizza)
Recreation Centers and Gyms	·      20% on fees, charges, and rentals for any sports facilities, equipment, and other accessories for sports ·      This includes renting out a venue for working-out or training (like bowling lanes, tennis courts, gyms, ballroom dancing) ·      Does not apply to country clubs which are for private exclusive membership though.
Medicine and Drug Purchases	·      20% for the purchase of generic or branded medicines and drugs ·      20% for the purchase of vitamins and supplements prescribed by a doctor ·      The Booklet must be presented to avail of this discount.
Sports Equipment Purchases	·      20% on the purchase of sports equipment for the actual and exclusive use of the national athlete or coach ·      This includes game equipment (like balls, nets, goals, and bats) and player equipment (like footwear and training equipment). ·      To avail of this discount though, the NSA must endorse the purchase by noting it in the athlete’s or coach’s Booklet and the Booklet must then be presented. (Um any chance the SBP will endorse the purchase of a pair of Travis Scott Air Jordan 6?)
Admission Fees	·      20% discount for admission fees to movie theaters, concert halls (wonder if they’ll honor this for U2 Tickets), and other similar places of cultures, leisure, and amusement (like theme parks. EK trip anyone?)

Establishments must grant these 20% discounts. Rule III, Section 4, IRR makes it explicit that even with the failure of the BIR to promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for implementation, these benefits must still be implemented. In turn, the establishments may claim the discounts as tax deductions to lower their taxable income.

Establishments which refuse to honor the discount or restrict and limit the discounts in any way (like to cash transactions only or to certain times or to a maximum amount) are looking at P50,000-P100,000 fines and even imprisonment from 6 months to two years, imposed on the president or owner of the establishment. These penalties increase per violation. These establishments may also have their business permits cancelled or revoked as a penalty.

Notably, the benefits do not cover VAT exemptions. So, unlike senior citizens and PWDs who are granted 20% discounts and VAT exemptions for their own purchases, national athletes and coaches are only given 20% discounts. This is a fine distinction which establishments should know to avoid issues with the BIR moving forward.

National athletes or coaches are also given priority in government-livelihood programs, pabahay loans, national housing programs, and living quarters by the PSC.

National athletes who win in regular major international sports competitions are also entitled to full tuition-free scholarship benefits in state colleges or universities. However, no such full-ride benefits are available for private colleges and universities, as they are merely “encouraged” by the law to adopt a similar program.

The benefits and discounts can only be availed of by the national athlete and coach (See! Just like senior citizens!). No sharing with family, friends, or loved ones. And these can’t be used in combination with other privileges under existing laws either—so if you’re a senior citizen and a national athlete or coach, you can’t combine both and come up with a 40% discount.

Shout-out to Nikko Huelgas, triathlete extraordinaire and chairman of the POC Athlete’s Commission, for posting an IG story the other night of Manam Restaurant granting the 20% discount to national athletes. It not only made me crave for Manam sisig at 11 pm at night (which is becoming more and more frequent) but it also gave me the idea for this month’s post.

On an extremely helpful note, the Underwater Hockey Team has a running list of establishments which have been giving the 20% discount. I’m sharing it here c/o Nikko and the Underwater Hockey Team and with their consent:

Restaurants:
Ooma, BGC Taguig and GB3 Makati
Max’s, Westgate Alabang
Max’s, Kapitolyo Pasig
Max’s, Batasan Hills Commonwealth QC
Mamou, Ayala 30th Pasig
Frankie’s, SM Aura Taguig
Din Tai Fung, Rockwell Makati
Taters, all branches
Chimara, all branches
Salad Stop, all branches
Genki Sushi, all branches
Army Navy, all branches
Barbacoa, Nuvali Sta Rosa
Bari Uma Ramen, BGC Taguig
Lido, E Rodriguez QC
Go Kizip, Malate Manila
Snow Panda, Malate
Gloria Maris, Geeenhills San Juan
Mendokoro, BGC Taguig
Rico’s Lechon, BGC Taguig
GOTO Tendon, Greenhills San Juan
Starbucks, Ortigas Home Depot, Pasig
Shake Shack, BGC Taguig
Summer Palace, EDSA Shangri La Mandaluyong
Pho Hoa/MyThai, Festival Mall Alabang
Chino, BGC Taguig
The Lobby Cafe, EDSA Shangri La Mandaluyong
The Refinery, Greenhills San Juan
Ganso Shabuway, Rockwell Makati
Dessert Kitchen, Rockwell Makati
Shi Shi Noodles, Malate Manila
Mcdonalds, ABSCBN
Jollibee, C5 Shell southbound before entering SLEX
KFC, Intramuros Manila
Yechon, Ortigas Home Depot
Gong Cha, SM Aura Taguig
Kimpura, Greenbelt 5 Makati
Manam, Podium Mandaluyong
Kanzhu, Hypermarket Tiendesitas
Cafe Adriatico, MOA
Muang Thai, Malakas St Diliman
Lau Chan, Malate
Pepper Lunch, MOA
Pepper Lunch, Glorietta Makati
Celebrity Sports Cafeteria, Capitol Hills QC
Chowking, Maysilo Mandaluyong
8 Cuts Burger, Serendra
Tasty Hotpot, Ortigas Home Depot
Marugame Udon, Glorietta 4 Makati
S&R NY Style Pizza, BGC Taguig
McDonald’s, Newport
Tropical Hut, Shaw near Pioneer
McDonald’s, Blue Ridge
Karnevore, Ortigas
Aristocrat, Malate
Max’s, Malate
Ricoh’s Lechon, Tiendesitas
Da Rae Jung, BGC Taguig #
KFC, SM Aura*
Menya Kokoro, BGC Uptown
Botejyu, Filinvest Alabang
Chilis, Rockwell
Mcdo, Market Market*
Mcdo, SM Aura #
Nanyang (inside Bread Talk) BGC High Street
Mango Tree, BGC
Gyumon, Magallanes
Mimi & Bros, BGC Taguig
Italliani’s, Greenbelt Makati
Racks, Evia Lifestyle Mall Las Pinas
King Chef Dimsum Kitchen, Shaw Mandaluyong
Angrydobo, Taft
Green Pastures, Shangri la Mall
Landers Central, Arcovia Pasig
CBTL BGC in front of Mini Cooper
Illustrado, Manila
Sizzlin’ Steak, SLEX
Tim Ho Wan, Robinsons Manila
Shrimp Bucket, Glorietta
All4U Korean Buffet, Century Mall
Mr Rockefeller, Greenbelt 3
Pancake House, BGC High Street
Tori Tori Japanese, Wilson San Juan
Blackbird, Makati
Tim Ho Wan, Robinsons Place Manila
UCC Clockwork, Capitol Commons
TomNTom’s Ortigas Home Depot
RSM Tagaytay
Marugame, BGC
Krispy Kreme, Festival Mall Alabang
Mary Grace, Rockwell Makati
Hen Lin, Glorietta
Tim Hortons, Cubao
Ministry of Crab, BGC
Manam, MOA
Zark’s Burgers, Taft
Ramen Nagi, One Bonifacio
Mandarin Sky Wok, Market Market
Eat Fresh, San Juan
Swagat Indian Cuisine, Makati
Coffee Project, Makati
Senor Pollo, BGC
Mcdo, Aseana Powerstation
Wee Nam Kee, Promenade Greenhills
Breakfast at Antonio’s, Tagaytay
Queen’s Bollywood, Macapagal
Toby’s Estate, Greenhills
Marugame Udon, UP Town Center, QC
Kenny Rogers, Ayala 30th, Pasig
Starbucks, Ayala 30th, Pasig
Caution Hot, Kapitolyo, Pasig
Kenshin, MSC
Rambla, Rockwell, Makati
Nikkei, Rockwell, Makati
Peri Peri, Market Market, Taguig
Starbucks, Torre Lorenzo, Taft
Tong Yang Shabu, Greenhills
Rame Nagi, Ayala 30th, Pasig
Cafe Breton, Ayala 30th, Pasig
Gerry’s Grille, Greenhills
Starbucks, Vertis North
Burger King, Ortigas
Zubochon, Molito near Puregold Alabang
Pepi Cubano, Molito Alabang
Coffee Bean, Maax Bldg, Aseana
Poco Deli, Kapitolyo, Pasig
Romulo’s Cafe, Azumi Hotel, Alabang
Pizza Hut all branches
Pepper Lunch, Uptown Mall, BGC, Taguig
Katsu Sora, Promenade, Greenhills
Cafe Eight, Crimson Hotel, Alabang
Hap Chan, Shaw Blvd, Mandaluyong
Carousel Creamery, Greenhills
Tsuta Ramen, Bonifacio High Street
Metronome, Makati
Reyes BBQ, Market Market
La Creperie, Katipunan
Pancake House, UN
Chowking, Kamuning
Lido, Quezon Ave
Jollibee SLEX Shell southbound
KFC Commowealth (near Ever), Batasan QC
Shinomiya, Westgate Alabang
Black Scoop Cafe, UN Ave
Señor Pollo, 32nd St, BGC
Pho Hoa, Trinoma Mall QC
Rufo’s, Vista Place, Daang Hari
Samgyupsalamat, Roxas Blvd
Din Tai Fung, Greenbelt 3
Mary Grace, SM Aura, Taguig
Pancake House, Dela Rosa, Makati
Yabu, SM Aura, Taguig
Eden Food Hall, 32nd St, BGC
Choi Garden, Greenhills
North Park, South Supermarket, Alabang
Adobo Connection, Rob Galleria South
Celebrity Sports Club meals concessionaire
Teriyaki Boy, Harbor Square
Pig Me Samgyupsal, Aguirre Ave, Paranaque
TuanTuan Brasserie, UP Town Center
RiceTop Fil-Asian, Loyala Heights, QC
McDo Tagaytay Junction
Black Canyon, UP Town Center, QC
North Park, SM Tunasan, Muntinlupa
Coco Ichibanya, all branches
Dunkin Donuts, SM Tunasan, Muntinlupa
McDonalds BGC
McDonalds Vermosa
Pancake House, San Antonio, San Pedro Laguna

Entertainment:
Robinsons Magnolia Cinema, Aurora Blvd QC
SM Aura Cinema, Taguig
Uptown Mall Cinema, Taguig
Promenade, Greenhills San Juan
Glorietta Cinemas, Makati
Rockwell, PowerPlant
UP Town Center, Katipunan QC

Fitness Centers:
Anytime Fitness, Westgate Alabang
Anytime Fitness, San Pedro Laguna (currently on preselling)
Anytime Fitness, Cubao
GetFit 24/7 Market Market, Taguig

Stores:
Decathlon, Tiendesitas Pasig
Trunkshow Manila, all branches
Chris Sports, Megamall Mandaluyong
Decathlon, Festival Mall Alabang

Medical:
Mercury, BGC near St Luke’s, Taguig (with prescription)
Watson’s, SM Aura, Taguig (even OTC)
Watson’s Market Market, Taguig
Watson’s Ayala 30th

Parking and Transpo:
One Parkade Parking, BGC Taguig
Capitol Commons, Pasig
Greenhills Promenade, San Juan
Robinsons Magnolia, Aurora Blvd QC
Shangri La Mall, Mandaluyong
Ortigas Home Depot, Pasig
Ayala Greenbelt, Makati
Robinsons Place
Glorietta, Makati
GRAB (apply through app as student/senior)
Ayala 30th Mall, Pasig
Shopwise parking, Araneta Cubao
Greenhills Connecticut, P4

Massage:
Mont Albo, UN Ave Manila

Hotel:
Contemporary Hotel, Araneta

The caveat is that some of these establishments have been lumping national athletes and coaches with senior citizens and PWDs and granting VAT exemptions as well—which again won’t bode well for the establishments. According to the Underwater Hockey Team, restaurants like Army Navy, Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts have been honoring National Team IDs without question—which is a great thing!

Hopefully, all the establishments get on board for the proper implementation of the law. A little help from the government agencies (DOTC, DILG, DOT, BIR) involved will go a long way too!

On a final note, great job to the Underwater Hockey Team for knowing their rights, taking the initiative, and pushing for the implementation of RA 10699! That’s what we want—athletes knowing their rights.

Good luck to all our national athletes and coaches this SEA Games! Laban, Pilipinas!

Mickey Ingles is the editor-in-chief of Batas Sportiva. He has mentioned Manam twice in a sports law blog, which has to be some sort of record.