Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

568

House

Introduced by Honorable Amado S. Bagatsing

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to establish and provide a welfare mechanism for Philippine boxers in
acknowledgment and gratitude for all the efforts they have made in giving honor to the country.
No less than the 1987 Constitution, particularly Article 2, Section 17, provides that “The State
shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster
patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and
development.”

In giving due recognition to these boxers, this Act seeks to institute a system of welfare
protection for professional boxers including athletes in the Olympics participating in boxing
sports.

It is unfortunate that two of our boxers have suffered major injuries, one fatal. On
February 3, 2012, a young Filipino boxer, Karlo Maquinto, passed away five days after falling
into a coma because of a blood clot in his brain after fighting in an eight round majority draw in
Caloocan City. On November 13, 2009, boxing champion Z Gorres collapsed in the ring at
Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas after winning the bantam weight division fight. He suffered a stroke
during the collapse and spent more than a month at the hospital after undergoing emergency
brain surgery the night of the fight

Injuries suffered by boxers cause a lot of physical as well as emotional pain not only to
the athletes but to their families as well. Most, if not all of them, are breadwinners who have to
provide for their families. While generally their promoters extend medical and financial
assistance to help defray costs of hospital and other emergency expenses, it is never enough to
compensate for damages and injuries especially when the boxers become permanently disabled
and are no longer fit to work or fight

It is in this light that this representation seeks to have a welfare mechanism in place for

Philippine boxers. Hence, the urgent passage of this bill

AMADO S. BAGATSING
Representative
5* District, Manila


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
FIRST REGULAR SESSION

House Bil 568

Introduced by Honorable Amado S. Bagatsing

N ACT
TO PROVIDE A WELFARE MECHANISM FOR PHILIPPPINE BOXERS,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Short
2013”.

le. — This Act shall be known as the “Boxer’s Welfare Act of

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote
and encourage sport boxing programs to attain excellence and competitiveness, To this end, it
shall promote and establish welfare mechanism to our boxers in acknowledgement and gratitude
they have made in giving honor to the country

Sec. 3. Compulsory Insurance Coverage. ~ Upon the passage of this Act, all Filipino
international boxers shall be automatically enrolled and may thereafter avail the health services
under the National Health Insurance Act: In case of professional boxers they shall become
members of Social Security System (SSS) and Pag-ibig Fund, subject to existing laws.

Likewise, promoters of professional boxers shall also insure their boxers against
accidents or other risks before any bout or event shall take place

Sec. 4. Scholarship grants. ~ The scholarship grants shall be extended to children of
international boxing champions or medalist in the Olympic bout. Provided, that the grant shall
extend to tertiary level of education but not to post graduate studies. It shall extend until the
completion of the entitled child even if he reaches the age of majority;


Sec. 5. Establishment of Databank and Registry. ~ There is hereby established
a databank and registry of all Filipino international boxing champions and medalist in
Olympic bout which shall be administered by the Games and Amusement Board (GAB).
It shall include basic identification to include their immediate families, financial status,
medical and boxing record information;

. 6. Donations, Grants and Contributions. — In order to obt the objectives.
of this Act, any donations, grants, contributions in cash or in kind coming from domestic

foreign source, the GAB is hereby authorized to accept as such and shall be exempt
from any taxes subject to existing laws on donations and contributions.

Sec. 7. Appropriations. — The sum of Fifty Million Pesos (P50,000,000.00)
necessary for the initial implementation of this Act is hereby charged to the
appropriations and thereafter such amount needed for its implementation shall be
included in the annual budget of the GAB.

Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Games and Amusement
Board in consultation with the various stakeholders
ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the ne

regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

See. 9. Separability Clause. ~ If any provision of this Act or any part h
declared, unconstitutional or invalid the remainder of this Act or any provi
affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

See. 10, Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations,
rules and regulations or part thereof, which are inconsistent with any provision of this Act
are hereby repeled or modified accordingly.

See. 11. Effectivity. ~ This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two newspapers of general
circulation).

Approved.