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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Third Regular Session ) 12 WG 15 26 20

SEN 3
. 4 . .
225 3 6 ind 2906) &

{In Substitution of SB Nos. 33, 258, 1466, 1495, 1617, 274

Prepared by the Committee on Games and Amusement, the Committee on Health and Demography and
the Committee on Finance with Senators Lapid, Trillanes IV, Defensor Santiago, Ejercito Estrada and
Pimentel Il as authors thereof

AN ACT
CREATING THE PHILIPPINE BOXING COMMISSION THEREBY
STRENGTHENING THE COUNTRY’S STANDING IN BOXING
SPORTS, ENSURING THE WELFARE OF FILIPINO BOXERS,
AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress
assembled:

IL GENERAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Philippine Boxer’s
Welfare Act of 2012”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State to
give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to
foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote
human liberation and development. The State shall promote excellence in
boxing sports by establishing a national agency to create a policy to set proper
directions for the development and safety of professional boxers and providing
for the welfare of boxers, coaches, trainers, and support to other stakeholders

competing for the country.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. ~ For purposes of this Act, the following
terms shall be defined as follows:

a. Commission - shall refer to the Philippine Boxing Commission;
b. Boxer registry — shall refer to any entity certified by the Philippine
Boxing Commission for the purposes of maintaining records and

identification of boxers;



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. License -— shall refer to a document issued by the Commission

authorizing a person or entity to perform duties as a privilege
connected with professional boxing;

Licensee - shall refer to an individual who serves as a trainer,
second, or cutman for a boxer;

Manager ~ shall refer to a person who receives compensation for
service as an agent or representative of a boxer;

Matches ~ shall refer to the pairing of boxers in a contest or in a
bout;

. Matchmaker ~ shall refer to a person that proposes, selects, and

arranges the boxers to participate in a professional boxing promotion;

. Permit - shall refer to a document issued by the Commission

authorizing a person or entity to hold, promote or engage in the
conduct or operation of professional boxing;

Professional Boxer — shall refer to any individual athlete who is paid a
sum of money and other compensation as a salary or prize money for
participating in a bout or in a professional boxing contest;
Professional Boxing Promotion — shall refer to a boxing contest held in
the Philippines between individuals for financial compensation but
shall not refer to a boxing contest that is regulated by an amateur
sports organization;

Promoter ~ shall refer to a person or persons primarily responsible for
organizing, promoting, and producing a professional boxing
promotion. The term “promoter” does not include a hotel, casino,
resort, or other commercial establishment hosting or sponsoring a
professional boxing promotion unless — (i) the hotel, casino, resort, or
other commercial establishment is primarily responsible for
organizing, promoting and producing the promotion; and (ii)there is
no other person primarily responsible for organizing, promoting, and
producing the promotion;

Sanctioning Organization ~ shall refer to an organization that
sanctions professional boxing promotions in the Philippines - (i)
between boxers who are residents of different countries; or (if) that are
advertised, otherwise promoted, or broadcast (including closed circuit
television) in a country other than the Philippines.



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Il. ‘THE PHILIPPINE BOXING COMMISSION

SEC. 4. Creation of the Philippine Boxing Commission. - There is
hereby created the Philippine Boxing Commission, hereinafter referred to as
the Commission, which shall be directly under the administrative supervision
of the Office of the President.

SEC. 5. Objectives of the Commission. - The objectives of the
Commission are as follows:

a, To establish uniform rules and procedures related to boxing;

b. To set proper directions for the sports of boxing towards developing
world-class professional boxers to bring honor to the country;

c. To provide safety procedures to protect boxers from physical and
financial exploitation;

d. To provide for a comprehensive health care benefits, alternative
livelihood program, a system of life insurance, reliable death benefits,
and other benefits for all boxers who competed and won in
international boxing events sanctioned by the Commission.

SEC. 6. Powers of the Commission. - The Commission shall have the
following powers:

a. To appoint the officers and other personnel of the Commission and
fix their compensation, allowances and other emoluments, subject to
civil service applicable laws, rules and regulations;

b. To suspend, dismiss or otherwise discipline for cause, any employee,
and/or approve or disapprove the appointment, transfer or detail of
employees, subject to the provisions of existing laws and regulations;

c. To enter into contracts in furtherance of the purposes of this Act;

d. To acquire, use and control any land, building, facilities, equipment,
instrument, tools and rights required or otherwise necessary for the
accomplishment of the objectives of the Commission;

e. To acquire, own, possess, and dispose of any real or personal
property with the unanimous decision of the members of the
Commission;

To accept donations, gifts, bequests and grants;

g. To issue rules and regulations in pursuance of the provisions of this

Act; and



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h. To perform any and all other acts incidental to or required by virtue of

its creation.

SEC. 7. Functions of the Commission. - The Commission shall have
the following functions:

a. To formulate, initiate, plan and implement a national policy for the

development of the sport of boxing in the country;

. To maintain an integrated boxer registry for the purposes of

maintaining records and identification of boxers;

. To establish a consultative mechanism which shall provide a forum

for continuing dialogue between all stakeholders in the
implementation of all laws, policies, programs and projects relative to
boxing;

. To seek or request the assistance and support of any government

agency, office or instrumentality including government-owned and
controlled corporations, local government units as well as non-
governmental organizations or institutions in pursuance of its
policies;

To establish and maintain linkages with international boxing
organizations or institutions and counterpart agencies of foreign
governments in order to facilitate and ensure the participation of
Filipino professional boxers in international boxing events;

To formulate, initiate, plan and implement a comprehensive and
progressive health care program, alternative livelihood program, a
system of life insurance, reliable death benefits, and other benefits for
all boxers who competed and won in international boxing events
sanctioned by the Commission;

To formulate and implement an insurance system through the Social
Security System (SSS) and/or private insurance companies for
qualified professional boxers;

To provide, supervise and ensure that emergency medical personnel
and services are available in every boxing competition, local and
abroad; .
To establish a system of registration and licensing of boxers, referees,
trainer, second, or cutman for a boxer and other personnel necessary
for the boxing sports; and to issue, suspend or revoke permits and



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licenses and to impose or collect fees for the issuance of such licenses
and permits to persons required to obtain the same;

j. To allocate resources for the implementation of national policies
related to boxers;

k, To submit an annual report on the implementation of this Act to the
President and to the Congress; and

1. To perform stich other functions as may be necessary to effectively
and efficiently carry out the provisions of this Act. The functions of
the Games arid Amusement Board (GAB) as well as other entities
related to boxing are hereby transferred to the Commission.

SEC. 8. Membership of the Commission. - The Commission shall be
composed of a Chairman who ~ (a) has extensive experience in professional
boxing activities or in a field directly related to professional sports; (b) is of
outstanding character and recognized integrity; and (c} is selected on the basis
of training, experience, and qualifications, and without regard to party
affiliation and six (6) Members to be appointed by the President: Provided, that
of the six (6) Members, there shall be one (1) representative from the Boxing
Promoters’ Association, one (1) representative from Boxing Managers’
Association, one (1) representative from Boxing Trainers’ Association, one (1)
representative from retired professional boxers, one (1) General Counsel, who
has extensive experience in litigation or policies directly or indirectly related to
professional sports and one (1) Physician, who has extensive experience in
sports medicine. The Member-Physician shall be the head of the Medical
Advisory Board of the Commission.

SEC. 9. Term of Office. - The term of office of the commissioners shall
be four (4) years: Provided, that no vacancy shall be filled except for the
unexpired portion of any term; and provided, further, that any member of the
Commission whose term of office has expired shall remain in office until his
successor shall have been duly appointed and qualified. The Chairman and
members of the Commission may be suspended or removed by the President of
the Philippines.

SEC. 10. The Secretariat. - The Secretariat shall be headed by an
Executive Director, appointed by the Commission, and such other technical
and administrative staff as may be needed and as determined by the
Commission, who shall be tasked to implement the policies and programs



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approved by the Commission and to supervise all aspects of professional
boxing sports. Their salaries, allowances and other emoluments shall be
determined by the Commission in accordance with Civil Service rules and other

relevant and existing laws.

SEC. 11. Meetings and Quorum. - The Commission shail meet regularly
once a week and as often as the exigencies of the service may demand, upon
the call of the Chairman or upon the request of three (3) members of the
Commission. The vote of a majority of all the members shall be necessary for
the adoption of any rule, resolution or decision of the Commission.

SEC. 12. Allowances and Per Diems. - The Chairman of the
Commission shall receive a monthly allowance of eight thousand pesos and a
per diem not to exceed five hundred pesos for each meeting actually attended
by him: Provided, that such allowance and per diems shall not exceed twelve

thousand pesos during any one month.

‘The other members of the Commission shall receive a monthly
commutable allowance of six thousand pesos and a per diem not to exceed five
hundred pesos for each meeting actually attended by them: Provided, that such
allowance and per diems shall not exceed ten thousand pesos during any one

month for each member.
Ml. SAFETY STANDARDS

SEC. 13. The Medical Advisory Board.- The Medical Advisory Board
assists and advices the Commission on issues affecting the safety and health of
the boxers. The Board duties include preparing and submitting to the
Commission appropriate standards for the physical and mental examination of
the boxers, advising the Commission as to the physical and mental fitness of a
boxer and recommending physicians to be licensed as ringside physicians for

the Commission.

The Board shall prepare and submit recommendations for revisions in
the law necessary to protect the health of the boxers.

SEC. 14. Physical and Medical Examination Requirements. - No
person may arrange, promote, organize, produce, or fight in a professional
boxing promotion without a physical and diagnostic examination of each boxer
by an accredited and licensed physician of the Philippine Boxing Commission,



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pursuant to existing rules and regulations, certifying whether or not the boxer
is physically fit to safely compete, which shall include but not limited to the
following:

a, Chest X-ray (PA View);

b. Ophthalmological examination;

c. Neuro-psychological test;

d. Drug testing for THC (Marijuana) and Metamphetamine (Shabu);

¢. Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HepBsAg) — quantitative exams for all
new licensees and comebacking boxers with previously positive
results and qualitative exams for renewals;

f, CT Scan of the Brain;

g. Gynecological condition result for female boxers;

h. Urinalysis;

i, Complete Blood Count (CBC);

j. 12 leads BCG;

k. HIV test (for licensed professional boxers fighting abroad)

1. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), as may be needed, upon

recommendation of the Commission physician.

All other personnel and staff engaged in and involved in the boxing
promotion shall be subjected to such physical and medical examinations, as
may be determined by the Commission. Items (a) to (i) shall be mandatory
physical and medical examination requirements. Items (j), (k) and (I) shall be
required in cases determined by the Commission. Expenses for the physical
and medical examination, as required, shall be for the account of the Manager.

SEC. 15. Emergency Medical Services. - A professional boxing
promotion may be held only if:

a. A licensed practicing physician, whose services are paid by the
promoter and duly registered with the Commission, is continuously
present at the ringside of the professional boxing promotion;

b. Ambulance services, including oxygen tanks and other medical
personnel equipped with appropriate resuscitation equipment
continuously present on the ringside.

c. A tertiary hospital nearby, which is located at the local government
unit hosting the boxing promotion. Furthermore, a Memorandum of
Agreement shall be executed between the promoter of the boxing



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promotion and the nearby tertiary hospital to ensure that injured
boxers shall be attended to with dispatch.

Absence of the afore-mentioned requirements shall be a cause for the
cancellation of the permit to hold the scheduled boxing promotion.

SEC. 16. Mandatory Rest Period. - There shall be an interval between
boxing contests which shall be referred to as the mandatory rest period. The
mandatory rest period shall vary depending on the extent of damage brought
about by a knockout (KO) or technical knockout (TKO), as determined by the
Commission’s Physician, based on the last boxing promotion’s ringside
physician report, which shall not be less than ninety (90) days. In cases of
knockouts (KO) and technical knockouts (TKO), there shall be physical and
medical examination after one month from the said event, the report of which
shall determine whether or not the boxer shall be allowed to compete again
after the ninety (90) day mandatory rest period. In case a boxer has received a
serious concussion, he shall not be allowed to compete again until he has been
examined and has been certified to by the Commission’s physician as fit to box
again.
Iv. BOXER INCENTIVES AND BENEFITS

SEC. 17. Insurance. - The Commission, in carrying out the regulation
of professional boxing promotions, shall require that a promoter provide
insurance coverage, in a minimum amount of at least one hundred thousand
pesos (Php 100,000.00) for every professional boxing promotion, through a
private insurance company, to cover an injury sustained while engaged in that
boxing promotion.

SEC. 18. Health Care Benefits. ~ All professional boxers shall be
enrolled in the National Health Insurance Program (PHILHEALTH) to enable
them to receive and avail of an adequate package of personal health services
including, but not limited to, in-patient hospital care, out-patient care,
emergency and transfer services, and other supplementary health benefits, as.
may be provided in the PHILHEALTH. The cost of premium contribution and
the standard monthly contributions shall be shouldered by the Commission.

In case of hospitalization in any government hospital or clinic, any
amount in excess of PHILHEALTH benefit shall be shouldered by the Philippine



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Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), provided that the boxer shall comply with
the requirement for qualification and grant of health care assistance to be
extended by the PCSO consistent with and subject to compliance with PCSO’s
existing rules and guidelines.

SEC. 19. Alternative Livelihood Programs for Retired and/or Injured
International Boxing Champions. - The Commission, in coordination with
various stakeholders in the boxing industry, shall establish an alternative
livelihood training program and referral system for retired and/or injured
international boxing champions.

The amount necessary for the implementation of this provision shall be

included in the annual appropriations of the Commission.

SEC. 20. Death Benefits. - Upon the death of a professional boxer, the
primary beneficiaries shall be entitled to a lump sum death benefit of Fifty
‘Thousand Pesos (Php50, 000.00) to cover funeral services/expenses: Provided,
that if there are no primary beneficiaries, the secondary beneficiaries shall be
entitled to said benefits.

SEC. 21. Retirement Benefits. - Professional Filipino boxers who won
any world title/championship in any international boxing competition duly
sanctioned by the recognized international sporting organizations and bodies
shall receive a lifetime retirement pension of Fifteen Thousand Pesos
(Php15,000.00) monthly upon reaching the age of fifty (50). Retirement benefits
under this Act shall be separate and distinct from the mandatory retirement
benefits provided by existing laws.

The Commission is authorized to adjust the benefits provided in this
section based on studies, consultations and public hearings with relevant
agencies and entities. However, no memorandum, order, or issuance shall

diminish the prescribed retirement incentive benefits.

SEC. 22. Pension Benefits to Surviving Spouse of International
‘Boxing Champion. - In the event of the death of the international boxing
champion, the legally surviving spouse of the international boxing champion
shall receive the monthly pension due to the international boxer, as provided
under section 19 of this Act.



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SEC. 23. Educational Benefits to Children of International Boxing
Champions. - A maximum of two (2) children of each international boxing
champion shall be awarded a full scholarship grant and be admitted to any
government-owned school, college, university or institution and all school fees,
including tuition, library, laboratory, medical, physical education, diploma and
graduation fees shall be at the expense of the Commission,

The children who shall avail of these educational benefits shall be chosen
by the boxer, in consultation with his/her spouse. if the boxer is deceased, the
surviving spouse shall choose. If the boxer and his/her spouse are deceased,
the two eldest children who have not acquired a college degree shall be
awarded the scholarship grant provided under this section.

V. TRANSITORY AND FINAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 24. Appropriations. - The amount of one hundred million pesos (Php
100,000,000.00) shall be appropriated for the initial implementation of this Act,
which shall be taken from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and
the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) in equal shares.
‘Thereafter, such amount needed to implement this Act shall be included in the
Annual Appropriations of the Commission subject to the retention of the amount
mandated under Section 25 of this Act. The Commission is hereby authorized to
re-align its appropriations in the current year of the date of effectivity of this Act
to conform with the requirements of this Act.

SEC. 25. Boxer’s Welfare Development Trust Fund, - There shall be an
independent and separate trust fund established under this Act, to be
administered by the Commission, An amount not less than eighty percent (80%)
for the first five (5) years, accrued from the licensing, registration and
accreditation fees, fines and charges shall be used for the purpose of the boxer’s
welfare development trust fund. The fund shall be used for the continued
upgrading of training facilities to conform with international standards,
accreditation of and other forms of assistance and support to the professional
boxing sector. The trust fund may also accept grants and donations from
national and foreign entities and individuals interested in the professional boxing
development.



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SEC. 26. Transitory Provision. - Pending the organization of the
Commission, the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) shall continue to
exercise the duties and functions in relation to boxing sports.

Such amount under the Boxer’s Welfare Fund, under the Games and
Amusement Board (GAB) shall then be transferred to the Boxer’s Welfare
Development Trust Fund (BWDTF) of the Commission and will form part of the
initial appropriations of the Commission. The Boxer’s Welfare Fund shall
henceforth be called as the Boxer’s Welfare Development Trust Fund.

SEC. 27. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Chairman,
within ninety (90) days after the effectivity of this Act, through a technical
working committee, and in consultation with the private sector concerned shall
formulate the implementing rules and regulations for the full implementation of
this Code. Provided, however, that copies of the formulated rules and
regulations shall be submitted to the Committee on Games and Amusement of
both Houses of Congress. Such rules and regulations shall take effect upon
publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

SEC. 28. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or
issuance, executive orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby either repealed or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 29. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or provision, not otherwise
affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SEC. 30. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,