SENATOR Pia Cayetano has fired a warning amid reports that the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) has amended its eligibility rules on players moving from one member school to another.
SPIN.ph reported last week that the UAAP board has agreed on amendments to its rules that will compel future transferees to sit out one year and lose another year of eligibility amid growing frustrations over high-profile transfers to powerhouse teams.
However, Cayetano aired concern over the reported UAAP move, saying she hopes the planned rules change won't 'circumvent the intent' of the Student-Athletes Protection Act which she principally authored and sponsored.
READ UAAP transferees set to sit out one year, lose another year of eligibility
"I have read news reports on the supposed plans of the to amend its league rules, which may have an effect on the playing years of transferring student-athletes," said Cayetano in a statement sent to media outlets.
"May I remind everyone concerned that Republic Act No. 10676 or the Student-Athletes Protection Act, which I principally authored and sponsored, explicitly protects the playing years of our student-athletes."
READ 'Unjust' residency rules outlawed after passing of Student Athletes Protection Bill
In 2015, Cayetano pushed for the passing of a bill protecting student athletes after the UAAP board raised the residency period for transferees from one to two years,
Now she hopes the planned UAAP move won't circumvent the intent of that law.
"I trust that the UAAP Board of Trustees shares my concerns for the welfare of our student-athletes and will not do anything to circumvent the intent of RA 10676."
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