TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
Senate Bill No.
2'j JUL 14 P 2 ;57
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
PROHIBITING THE SELLING AND/OR BUYING OF ADMISSION 
TICKETS THROUGH UNAUTHORIZED SALES CHANNELS, 
PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Ticket scalping in the Philippines has become an increasingly exploitative 
practice, exacerbated by the rise of automated bots and online resale platforms. 
Scalpers often purchase large quantities of tickets to popular events at face value, 
only to resell them at exorbitant prices, effectively locking out genuine fans and 
distorting fair access.
The scale of the issue is evident in recent data and incidents. Cybersecurity firm 
Imperva reported that in 2024, over 80% of traffic to entertainment ticketing websites 
came from bots which are automated programs designed to bypass purchase limits 
and hoard tickets within seconds of release. These bots have transformed traditional 
scalping into a high-tech operation, leaving regular consumers frustrated with sky- 
high resale prices and limited access to events, and effectively undermining the 
entertainment industry.1
Recent events in the country also highlight the severity of the problem. In 2023, 
scalpers were arrested for reselling tickets to the PBA Finals between Ginebra and Bay 
Area for a total of P13,000. Approximately 50 tickets were also seized from them.2 In
Imperva. 2024 Bad Bot Report Available at https://www.imperva.com/resources/resource- 
library/reports/2024-bad-bot-report/ (Accessed on 09 July 2025).
Inquirer. QCcops round up scalpers selling PBA Finals tickets in Cubao. Published on 11 January 2023. Available 
at https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1715394/qc-cops-round-up-scalpers-selling-pba-finals-tickets-in-cubao 
(Accessed on 09 July 2025).


2024, tickets to singer Olivia Rodrigo's concert, originally priced at PI,500, were being 
resold online for as much as P25,000.3
Despite the growing negative impact of ticket scalping, the Philippines currently 
lacks a unified national policy for its prohibition. Only a handful of local government 
units, such as Pasay, Quezon City,4 and Muntinlupa,5 have enacted ordinances to 
address the issue.
On the other hand, in other countries, measures have been adopted to effectively 
regulate the practice. Australia, for example, limits ticket resale to a 10% markup and 
prohibits the use of bots, with violations subject to heavy penalties.6 Japan enacted a 
similar national law in 2018 ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, imposing fines of up to ¥1 
million and imprisonment for scalpers.7 Hong Kong employs real-name ticketing and 
strict purchase limits to prevent bulk buying and unauthorized resale.8 These 
international examples demonstrate that targeted legislation, combined with 
technological safeguards, can effectively curb ticket scalping.
Thus, this proposed measure seeks to address this growing problem which has 
long deprived consumers of fair access to entertainment events. By prohibiting 
unauthorized sales channels and imposing penalties on violators, this bill aims to 
ensure that tickets remain accessible to the public at reasonable prices, standardize 
enforcement across regions, safeguard consumer rights, and protect the 
entertainment economy.
Under this measure, it shall be prohibited to resell tickets at more than 10% 
above their face value and to use bot software to hoard tickets for resale. Additionally, 
it mandates transparency in ticket pricing and requires tickets to be sold only through 
authorized platforms.
By addressing the root causes of ticket scalping and instituting robust 
enforcement mechanisms, this bill would create a level playing field for both 
consumers and event producers and organizers, ultimately enhancing the overall 
experience for eventgoers. The prohibition of ticket scalping is a necessary step 
towards ensuring that entertainment events remain inclusive, affordable, and 
enjoyable for everyone.
3 
SPOT.ph. What Does Philippine Law Say About Ticket Scalping. Published on 08 October 2024. Available at 
https://www.spot.ph/new/sfeatures/policy/110204/what-does-philippine-law-say-about-ticket-scalping-a5229- 
20241008 (Accessed on 09 July 2025).
4 
Ibid.
5 
Manila Bulletin. Muntinlupa LGU prohibits ticket scalping. Published on 07 July 2025. Available at 
https://mb.com.ph/2025/07/07/muntinlupa-lgu-prohibits-ticket-scalping (Accessed on 09 July 2025).
6 
Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (Government of Western Australia). Events, 
tickets and ticket scalping. Last updated on 19 November 2024. Available at 
https://www.consumerprotection.wa.gov.au/events-tickets-and-ticket-scalping (Accessed on 09 July 2025).
7 
Ministry of Justice, Japan. Act on Ensuring the Proper Distribution of Show and Event Tickets by Prohibiting the 
Unauthorized Resale of Specified Show and Event Tickets (Act No. 103 of December 14, 2018). Available at 
https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/3356/en (Accessed on 09 July 2025).
8 
Legislative Council of Hong Kong. Ticket Scalping. Available at https://www.legco.gov.hk/research- 
publications/english/essentials-1819ise04-ticket-scalping.htm (Accessed on 09 July 2025).


In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
ILLANUEVA


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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
JUL 14 P2 57
Senate Bill No.
556
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
Act"
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State 
to protect the interests of consumers, promote their general welfare, and establish 
standards of conduct for business and industry.
Towards this end, the State shall implement measures to protect consumers 
against deceptive, unfair, and unconscionable sales acts and practices.
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms are 
defined as follows;
a) 
Admission Ticket ro.fo.rs to evidence of a right of entry to an entertainment 
event, whether printed or digital;
b) 
Entertainment Event rofors to any occasion, occurrence, or activity organized 
by persons that provides amusement or recreation, is open to the public, and 
involves the distribution of admission tickets, such as sporting events, concerts, 
stage performances, beauty pageants, festivals, road shows, fan meets or any 
similar undertakings;
AN ACT
PROHIBITING THE SELLING AND/OR BUYING OF ADMISSION 
TICKETS THROUGH UNAUTHORIZED SALES CHANNELS, 
PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Anti-TicketScalping


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c) 
Face Value Price refers to the original cost of the admission ticket set by the 
event producer and/or organizer; and
d) 
Ticket Scalping refers to the act of purchasing admission tickets and reselling 
them at a price higher than their face value price.
SEC. 4. Prohibition of Ticket Scalping. - The following acts shall constitute
ticket scalping, whether committed online or in person:
a) 
Offering, hoarding, selling, distributing, buying, dealing in, disposing of or 
otherwise obtaining admission tickets for entertainment events, without the 
written permission from the authorized event producer, organizer, or distributor, 
for the purpose of reselling for more than ten percent (10%) higher than the 
face value price of the ticket: Provided, That the ten percent (10%) increase or 
markup shall be subject to the periodic review and update by the implementing 
agencies.
b) 
Financing, managing, or operating ticket scalping activities, including the usage 
of bot software to purchase admission tickets with the purpose of reselling.
SEC. 5. Other Offenses.-1\\Q following shall also constitute as offenses under
this Act:
a) 
Offering or selling admission tickets for entertainment events without providing 
the face value price on each ticket.
b) 
Selling admission tickets on any platform other than the authorized selling 
platform.
c) 
Using bot software to purchase admission tickets in bulk.
d) 
Willfully aiding or abetting in the commission of any of the offenses enumerated 
under Section 4 of this Act.
e) 
Willfully attempting to commit any of the offenses enumerated under Section 4.
SEC. 6. Duties and Responsibilities of Entities Engaged in the Business
of Event Production and/or Event Ticketing. -
a) 
Event producers and/or organizers shall ensure that events are run with due care 
and skill, and as described.
b) 
Event ticket sellers shall ensure that the admission tickets match the description 
of the entertainment event; advertise the full face value price upfront; and 
provide a receipt for the ticket purchase.


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c) Covered entities shall post, publish, or display signages on their websites and on
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conspicuous places within their premises warnings against ticket scalping.
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d) Covered entities shall adopt, implement, and enforce internal policy guidelines,
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including prevention and reporting mechanisms, on ticket scalping, in accordance
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with this Act.
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SEC. 7. Institution of Complaint - The Department of Justice (DOJ), the
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Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its reievant bureaus or attached
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agencies, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), including
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all law enforcement agencies, may institute a complaint for violation of this Act before
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the appropriate court.
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SEC. 8. Penalties. -
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a) The following penalties shall be imposed upon any person found guilty of any
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act prohibited under Section 4 hereof:
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(1) For the first offense, a fine of One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00)
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or imprisonment of six (6) months, or both, at the discretion of the court.
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(2) For the second offense, a fine of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos
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(P250,000.00) or imprisonment of one (1) year, or both, at the discretion
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of the court.
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(3) For the third and subsequent offenses, a fine of Five Hundred Thousand
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Pesos (P500,000.00) or imprisonment of three (3) years, or both, at the
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discretion of the court.
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b) The following penalties shall be imposed upon any person found guilty of any
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act prohibited under Sections 5 and 6 hereof:
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(1) For the first offense, a fine of Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00).
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(2) For the second offense, a fine of One Hundred Thousand Pesos
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(P100,000.00) or imprisonment of six (6) months, or both, at the discretion
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of the court.
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(3) For the third and subsequent offenses, a fine of Two Hundred Fifty
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Thousand Pesos (P250,000.00) or imprisonment of one (1) year, or both,
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at the discretion of the court.
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(4) If the offender is a corporation, the penalty may, at the discretion of the
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court, be imposed upon such corporation and/or upon its directors.


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trustees, stockholders, members, officers, or employees responsible for the
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violation or indispensable to its commission.
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SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days
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from the effectivity of this Act, the DTI and the DILG shall, in coordination with other
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relevant government agencies and stakeholders, promulgate the implementing rules
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and regulations (IRR) to carry out the provisions of this Act.
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Failure of the relevant government agencies to promulgate the IRR within the
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specified period shall subject the heads of these government agencies to
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administrative penalties under applicable civil service laws.
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Should the IRR contain provisions that are contrary to this Act, the heads of the
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government agencies responsible for such provision, when done in bad faith or with
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gross negligence, shall be held administratively liable.
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SEC. 10. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is
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declared unconstitutional, the remainder hereof or any provisions not affected thereby
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shall remain in force and effect.
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SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
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executive order, letter of instruction, rule, or regulation inconsistent with the
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provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
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SEC. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,