Guiao first nonathlete to receive President’s Award
Veteran coach and former lawmaker Joseller ‘Yeng’ Guiao will receive the President’s Award at the San Miguel Corporation–Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards Night on Feb. 16 at the Diamond Hotel Manila.
Guiao is being honored for leading a 10-year legal battle that resulted in a Supreme Court ruling ordering the full remittance of mandated gaming revenues to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
The 66-year-old Guiao pursued the case to enforce Republic Act 6847, which directs the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to remit five percent of their gross income to the PSC for national sports development.
After a decade of litigation, the Supreme Court of the Philippines recently denied with finality the appeals of the two gaming agencies, clearing the way for the retroactive release of the funds. The ruling is expected to translate into billions of pesos in additional support for athletes, coaches and grassroots programs.
‘Long, hard struggle’
Guiao initiated the legal action in 2016 while serving as representative of Pampanga’s first district. He was assisted by legal counsel Jun Guzman.
“The choice of coach Yeng for the President’s Award is a fitting way to honor a sportsman who fought for our athletes away from the spotlight,” PSA president Francis Ochoa of the Inquirer said. “Every national athlete who dreams of bringing honor to the country can now benefit from the additional financial help.”
Guiao, who will become the first nonathlete to receive the President’s Award, described the case as a “long, hard struggle,” but said the outcome would have a lasting impact.
“This is a victory for Philippine sports,” Guiao said. “This is justice for our young athletes, grassroots programs, better coaches, equipment and nutrition. Now we have no excuse. We can finally compete without shame.”
The awards night is copresented by the PSC with ArenaPlus and supported by the Philippine Olympic Committee, Milo, Cignal, the Premier Volleyball League, the Philippine Basketball Association and other partners.
