Senator Pia Cayetano expressed her objection over the recent changes to the UAAP residency rules, stressing that the new ruling which was implemented at the beginning of the Season 87 could be violating a law.

The UAAP has recently adopted a residency ruling where a transferee student-athlete from a member-school shall now lose one-year of eligibility on top of a one-year, sit-out period.

Cayetano, a former member of the UP women’s volleyball team, cited the Republic Act No. 10676 or the Act Protecting the Amateur Nature of Student-Athlete, particularly its Section 4-B which states the one-year residency is maximum to be given by an athletic association to student-athletes if they wish to transfer to another school or university.

“A maximum of one-year residency may be imposed by an athletic association before a student-athlete could participate and represent a school in any athletic competition. So bawal ang ibang klaseng residency requirement. Alin ba ‘yong hindi ninyo naiintindihan dyan?,” said Cayetano who attended a groundbreaking ceremony of a 7-story athletes dormitory inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila, Thursday morning, Sept. 12.

Cayetano said that she’s very well aware of the pressing matters that led to the UAAP Board’s decision to revise the residency rule but also urged the league to find another way of solving the issues in an ‘adult way.’

“UAAP board nakikiusap naman ako. I understand na may issue kayo na napi-pirate ‘yong mga athletes nyo. Then solve it in an adult way. Don’t punish the kids, the athletes,” said Cayetano.

“Solve your problems another way, don’t penalize the athletes.”

According to Cayetano, such rules would only hamper the athletes development and reaching their full potential.

"I know my asking won't really change your mind, but I'm asking from the bottom of my heart, think about the athletes, it's not about the medals that the university brings home," she continued. 

"It's about the lives we can change through sports and you will not change the lives of these kids if you limit their potential."

Earlier this month, UAAP Executive Director Rebo Saguisag said that the communication lines between the league and the honorable senator are open and that the board would be willing to engage in the discussion of the new rule.

"We're open, if needed, to clarify and explain. Maganda dito, I open the communication. If we need to sit down with the good senator, then andoon siya to facilitate the discussions,” said Saguisag during UAAP Season 87 press conference.