Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (transl. Force of the Heroic Athlete), commonly known as the PBA Partylist, is a party-list organization in the House of Representatives of the Philippines. It represents the interests of Filipino sportspeople, advocating for policies and programs that support athletes and promote sports development nationwide.
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History
The PBA Partylist first participated in the 2007 elections but failed to secure a seat in Congress.
In the 2010 elections, the organization gained significant attention when it was endorsed by renowned professional boxer and national icon Manny Pacquiao, who served as its chairman at the time. During the campaign, PBA Partylist spent ₱80 million, the highest among all party-list groups, though still within the legal spending limit of ₱3 per registered voter (or ₱150 million). The group successfully won a seat in the 15th Congress. During this term, PBA Partylist filed a bill proposing the creation of a **Department of Sports**, but the proposal lapsed due to time constraints.
The organization lost its representation in Congress after failing to secure a seat in the 2013 elections. However, it regained representation in the 17th Congress after winning two seats in the 2016 elections.
Controversies
In February 2024, the PBA Partylist faced controversy after its members were accused of engaging in bribery in Davao City during their campaign for Constitutional reform in the Philippines through the People's Initiative. Witnesses claimed that the group used deceptive tactics to gather signatures for the initiative, leading to public outcry and calls for investigation.
Leadership
The PBA Partylist is currently led by:
Chairman: Jericho Nograles
President: Mark Aeron Sambar
Leader: Migs Nograles
Electoral performance
The PBA Partylist has had fluctuating success in elections:
2007: Failed to win a seat.
2010: Won 1 seat in the 15th Congress.
2013: Lost representation in the 16th Congress.
2016: Regained representation, winning 2 seats in the 17th Congress.
2019 and 2022: Maintained representation in the 18th and 19th Congresses.
Advocacy and policies
The PBA Partylist focuses on promoting the welfare of Filipino athletes and advancing sports development. Key initiatives include:
Advocating for the creation of a Department of Sports to centralize sports-related policies and programs.
Pushing for increased funding and support for national athletes.
Promoting grassroots sports programs to nurture young talent.