“We celebrate progress. From exciting wins on the international stage to the growing strength of our domestic leagues, Philippine football is gaining real momentum… thanks to the shared dedication of our players, coaches, officials and member associations, as well as our supporters and stakeholders.” – PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez
The milestones that Philippine Football Federation (PFF) achieved since June 2024—particularly with the national teams, and in grassroots football, domestic leagues, talent identification, coaches and referees’ education, the construction of the new headquarters in Carmona, and hosting of the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup—were given emphasis by the administration of PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez at the 22nd PFF Ordinary Congress last June 7, 2025. The federation also welcomed three new members, making the total number of member-FAs now at 41.
2024 Financial Statement and Appointment of internal auditors
The PFF Congress approved the 2024 PFF Financial Statement.
In keeping with the administration’s drive for greater transparency, the PFF Congress approved the appointment of internal auditors. Their assignment will boost the current PFF administration’s initiative for transparency in its processes and transactions.
Thus, the PFF Congress named Engr. Abenir Labja, President of the Golden Davao RFA, and Ismael Batiles, Jr., President of the Camiguin-Misamis Oriental RFA, as internal auditors of the federation.
Progress for the national teams
Among the milestones that Gutierrez enumerated during the Congress were the 4-1 victory of the Philippine Men’s National Football Team versus Maldives in the Asian Cup Qualifiers 2027, as well as the resilience and world-class abilities that the Philippine Women’s National Football Team, the Filipinas, showcased in their recent wins in Dubai and the close match against Chinese Taipei.
He also cited the Philippine Women’s National Futsal Team, the Filipina5, who reached the final round of the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup. The Filipina5 are currently preparing for the inaugural FIFA Fustal Women’s World Cup hosted for the first time in the Philippines. “Hosting this prestigious global tournament is a milestone moment for the country, not only for women’s futsal, but for Philippine football as a whole,” said Gutierrez.
Youth development and domestic leagues
As part of the Football Stars of Tomorrow initiative, PFF has distributed 70,000 football balls to Regional Football Associations (RFAs) under the FIFA Football for Schools program.
The Center of Development Partner program, in collaboration with the National Capital Region Football Association (NCRFA), also made headway as sessions continued to be conducted at Atleta63 Turf in Bridgetowne, Quezon City. PFF gave a Center of Development workshop to 24 coaches at the PFF National Training Center in Cavite, to equip them to manage and handle their own Center for Development program in their respective FAs.
In connection with discovering and honing local talent, the PFF’s Talent ID Network visited several locations in Luzon. Through the said endeavor, the federation was able to engage 82 coaches and identified 189 outstanding athletes. Around 974 talented players were scouted across various football competitions nationwide, specifically the UAAP, PFFL, PFL, NCRFA, NCRFA U15, and the PFF Women’s League — which was launched in March 2025 with 16 participating teams.
PFF also supported the Palarong Pambansa held in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte last May by providing support for first aid and having PFF officials supervise the exhibition games.
Expanded referees and coaching courses
The courses conducted in the past 12 months benefited many coaches and referees.
The PFF Beach Soccer Workshop led by Brazilian expert Marcelo Mendes held in Cavite had 28 participants. The various coaching courses in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao produced 94 D Licensed coaches and 70 certificate courses participants. As of December 2024, PFF has 2,103 licensed coaches.
As for referees’ education, 43 referees took part in the refresher course held in Cavite last March.
A series of basic futsal referees courses were held in various areas across the Philippines, including Cavite, Tagaytay, Noveleta, Victorias City, Dumaguete, and Siquijor.
Looking ahead
Coaches and referees’ education will continue to be a priority of the current PFF administration.
“We are expanding the current offerings with a new focus on providing opportunities for all aspiring coaches and referees, both men and women. These programs include specialized training, licensing, and referee preparation courses to ensure new generations are well-trained, diverse, and committed football officials,” said Gutierrez.
PFF is working on a national curriculum for football education to be implemented across the nation.
Gutierrez also announced that the PFF U-19 and U-16 Championships would be restructured in order to provide a clear talent pathway aligned with the standards of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
A new women’s football development strategy would be launched in partnership with FIFA.
“This is aimed at growing the women’s game from the grassroots to the elite level,” said Gutierrez.
The move to the new five-story headquarters in Carmona, Cavite is imminent as the first two phases of the construction process were completed last January 2025.
Gutierrez confirmed to the PFF Congress that the government would be backing the hosting of the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup to be held in the Philippines in the last quarter of 2025.
“Senator Pia Cayetano and the Department of Budget and Management have expressed strong support for this event, recognizing its potential to elevate Filipino athletes globally and inspire women’s sports,” said Gutierrez.
New member FAs: Batangas, Bohol and Palawan
One of the highlights of the 22nd Congress was the acceptance of the Batangas Barako Football Association, Province of Bohol Football Association, and the Puerto Princesa Palawan Football Association into the PFF. The presidents of these FAs thanked the PFF Membership Committee and Executive Committee for endorsing their applications, and the PFF Congress for welcoming them into the federation.
“We have been applying for membership since 2010 when we were clustered with Quezon,” said Batangas FA President Nelson “Neko” del Rosario.
“Finally, with Sir John’s effort, our FA is now independent. Thank you for that,” he added.
For Puerto Princesa Palawan FA (PPPFA) President Dio Paolo de Guzman, the acceptance felt like a homecoming.
“Our FA was established in 1994 by my mother, and was one of the founding members of the PFF during that time,” said de Guzman. In later years, the PPPFA was dissolved and then revived.
De Guzman said that they would cherish and protect their status as members. “There are a lot talented football athletes in Palawan. We want to be part of the PFF programs and sanctioned tournaments.”
Meanwhile, the Province of Bohol Football Association President Fernando Camacho pledged that they would work with the other FA, the Bohol Football Association (BOFA), so that their province would be an asset to the federation. Camacho also announced their plan to further grow the sport of beach football.
“We promise to elevate Bohol football and we thank you for the opportunity. We’re so grateful for the PFF for making us part of this family,” Fernando told the PFF Congress.
In November 2022, the PFF Congress had identified and approved a number of territories to be included into the federation and the FAs in these territories have submitted documents for their applications. Gutierrez said that all these would be processed and accommodated as PFF’s financial resources improve.
“We’re taking the applications one at a time, or in this case, three at a time. But rest assured that what was decided upon in the November 2022 Congress will be applied in the future and will materialize.”
Gutierrez urged the members to continue to support the federation, especially the upcoming FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup.
“As we move forward to the second half of the year, we look forward to creating history by hosting one of FIFA’s major quadrennial tournaments.”
He declared, “Let us move forward together in the spirit of Bayanihan. The future of Philippine football is bright.”
