THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPNES 
First Regular Session 
“04 JUL 16 P4 :50 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
One sport where Filipinos have shown a good chance of excelling and attaining world 
prominence is in boxing. Many of our countrymen have made the nation proud by becoming 
world champions. Considering that it is a physically challenging sport, one that exposes them to 
physical injuries, there is a need to safeguard their health and safety. 
This bill seeks to establish and provide for the implementation of health and safety 
I 
standards relating to the conduct of professional boxing matches. 


THlRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPIJBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
’04 JUL 16 P4 :50 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
TO PROVIDE FOR HEALTH AND WORK SAFETY STANDARDS 
FOR PROFESSIONAL BOXERS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act may be cited as tlie “Professional Boxing Safety 
Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - 0ue of the objectives of the State is to promote 
health and safety standards particularly in the field of sports. Boxing, being a sport where a player 
is susceptible to injury, requires government regulation and safety standards. 
SECTION 3. Definitions of Term-For 
the purpose of this Act, the term: 
(1) “Boxer” means a person who participates in a professioual boxing match. 
(2) 
professional boxer. 
(3) 
“Licensee” means an individual who serves as trainer, second, or cut inan for a 
“Mauager” means a person or business that helps arrange professioiial boxing 
matches for a boxer, and that serves as an advisor or representative of a boxer in a professional 
capacity. 
(4) 
“Matchmaker” means a person or business that proposes, selects, and arranges 
tlie boxers to participate in a professional boxiug match. 
( 5 )  
“Professional boxing match” 
(A) means a boxing contest held between individuals for compensation or a 
prize; and 
(B) does not include any amateur boxing match. 
“Promoter” means a person or business that organizes, holds, advertises, or 
(6) 
otherwise conducts a professional boxing match. 


. 
(7) 
“Games and Amusement Board” means a government agency that has the 
authority to regulate professional boxing. It shall hereinafter be referred to as the “Board.” 
SECTION 4. Professional Boxing Matches. 
(1) 
In General-A 
professional boxing match may be held only if- 
(A) 
continuously present at the ringside of the professional boxing match; 
(B) 
the promoter has, in accordance with this subsection, provided-- 
(i) 
a licensed practicing physician, whose services are paid by the promoter, is 
for a physical examination of each boxer who participate in the 
professional boxing match by a licensed practicing physician, to ensure 
that each boxer is physically fit to compete in the boxing match; and 
for an ambulance to be continuously present at the site of the boxing 
match; or 
if applicable, notice in accordance with paragraph (2); 
and 
(ii) 
(iii) 
(C) the Board has established procedures to carry out sections 5 through 8. 
(2) Ambulance S e r v i c e  
(A) In General-If 
the promoter for that boxing match does not choose to provide 
for such ambulance, the promoter shall, not later than 24 hours before that boxing match, 
notify the nearest available ambulance service (including any appropriate emergency 
medical service) of that boxing match. 
(B) Costs-The 
promoter for a professional boxing match shall pay the cost of any 
ambulance service provided in conjunction with the conduct of that boxing match. 
(3) Cancellation of Professional Boxing Matches-If 
the Board issued a certificate with a 
private boxing organization, notwithstanding that certificate, the Board may cancel a professional 
boxing match without consulting the private organization if the Board or its appointed officials 
determines that-- 
(A) the private professional boxing organization is not performing the obligations 
of that organization that are specified in the contract in a manner that is satisfactory to the 
chairman of the board; or 


(B) the cancellation of the professional boxing match is necessary to protect 
public liealth, safety, or welfare. 
SECTION 5. Registration. 
(a) Requirements-Each 
professional boxer shall register with the Board. 
(b) Identification Card- 
(1) Issuance-The 
Board shall issue to each professional boxer who registers in 
accordance with subsection (a), an identification card that contains-- 
(A) A recent photograph of the boxer; and 
(B) Each personal identification number assigned to the boxer 
by the Board. 
(2) Renewal-Each 
professional boxer shall renew his or her identification card every 
two (2) years. 
(c) Relation to Government Rules and Regulations-Nothing 
in this section shall be construed as 
preventing the government form applying additional registration requirements. 
SECTION 6 .  Review. 
The Board shall establish procedures- 
(1) to evaluate the professional records of each boxer participating in a boxing match. 
(2) to ensure that no boxer is permitted to box while under suspensiou as meted by the 
Board due to iujury or other medical reasons, including-- 
(A) a recent knockout, injury, or requirement for a medical procedure; 
(B) failure of a drug test; 
(C) 
poor boxing sltills, or the inability to safely compete; or 
(D) the use of false aliases, or falsifying, or attempting to falsify, official 
identification cards or documents. 
SECTlON 7. Insurance. 
The Board, in carrying out the regulation of professional boxing matches, shall require 
that a pronioter provide insurance coverage, in an amount determined by the appropriate 


government office, for each boxer wlio participates in a professional boxing match that the 
promoter involved in conducting, to cover an injury sustained while engaged in that match. 
SECTION 8. Reporting. 
(a) Boxing Match Results-Not 
later than 48 business hours (excluding Saturdays and 
Sundays) after tlie conclusion of a professional boxing match, tlie results of such boxing match 
shall be reported to the Board. 
(b) Suspension-Not 
later than 48 business hours (excluding Saturdays and Sundays) 
after the Board orders the suspension of a boxer, promoter, or manager, such suspension shall be 
reported to professional boxing associations and other associations involved in professional 
boxing in the Philippines. 
SECTION 9. Enforcement. 
(a) Injunctions-Whenever 
the Chairman of the Board has reasonable cause to believe 
that a persoii or entity is engaged in a violation of this Act, the Chairinan or its representative may 
bring a civil action in the appropriate court requesting such relief, including a perinanent or 
temporary injunction, restraining order, or other order, against the person or entity, as the 
Chairinail determines to be necessary to restrain the person or entity from continuing to engage 
in, or to sanction, a professional boxing match in violation of this Act. 
(b) Criminal Penalties- 
(1) Managers, Promoters, Matchmakers aid Licensees-Each 
manager, promoter, 
matchmaker or licensee who knowingly and willfully violates any provision of this Act shall, 
upoii conviction, be imposed the penalty of imprisonment for not more than one (1) year or a fine 
of not more than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (PlOO,OOO.OO), or both. 
(2) Boxers-Any 
professio~ial boxer wlio knowingly and willfully violates any provision 
of this Act shall, upon conviction, be fined not more tliaii Five Thousand Pesos (PS,OOO.OO). 
SECTION 9. Consultation. 
Not later than one (1) year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, 
to exchange information concerning the implementation and enforcement of this Act and to 
improve tlie safety and integrity of professional boxing as a sport, the Board shall consult witli- 


(1) the appropriate officials of the government; and 
(2) private organizations that assist in the regulation of professional boxing matches 
SECTION 10. Pension Study. 
(a) In General-The 
Secretary of Labor shall conduct a study on the feasibility and cost 
of a national pension system for professional boxers, including potential funding sources. 
(b) Report-Not 
later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of Labor shall submit a report to the Congress on the findings of the study conducted pursuant to 
paragraph (a). 
SECTION 11. 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. 
SECTION 12. Repealing Clause. Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 13. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved 
Fn: 1637