UAAP plans to revert to one-year eligibility ruling

MANILA, Philippines – The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) board is planning to revert to old one-year eligibility ruling in the 2015 season, seen as a move to satisfy Sen. Pia Cayetano, the league’s staunchest critic of recent.

The UAAP imposed a two-year residency requirement before the start of the 76th season a move that barred the planned transfers of University of Santo Tomas high school star swimmer Anna Dominique Bartolome and Far Eastern University junior stalwart Jerrie Pingoy to University of the Philippines and Ateneo, respectively.

UAAP secretary-treasurer Rod Roque of UAAP Season 77 host University of the East said the two-year residency rule will remain in effect this year with the board making some revisions that would take effect next year.

“As of now the rule remains. If ever the Senate will invite us again to explain our side the board will attend the meeting. Dadaan pa naman ang lahat sa public hearing at ang alam ko may first and second hearing pa iyan,” said Roque.

“We also made some revisions bringing the residency rule from two years back to one year. Pero sa season 78 pa namin siya ma-implement,” he added.

The board’s decision comes on the heels of Sens. Cayetano, Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Cynthia Villar’s filing of Senate Bill No. 2226, which hopes to abolish the residency requirement for all graduating high school seniors and other student-athletes in all collegiate leagues.

SB 2226 or an act protecting the amateur nature of Filipino student-athletes aims to regulate the residency requirement of all student athletes to further prevent the commercialization of the collegiate league.

“No residency requirement shall be imposed on a high school student-athlete transferring to another high school or to a college or university,” stated in Section VI of the bill, which want to require school athletic associations to impose a one-year residency requirement to a student-athlete who want to transfer to another college or university. 

Colleges or Universities are further prohibited to offer student-athletes or his immediate family members benefits or other incentives—be it in kind or monetary—aside from scholarships, meal allowances, board and lodging, uniforms and sports equipment as stated under the implementing rules and regulations.

All national sports associations are also covered by the proposed measure once passed into law.

”The State shall recognize and uphold the rights of Student-Athletes to further hone their skills and abilities in their respective fields of amateur sports without neglecting their education and general well-being,” as stated in the bill. – Rappler.com