Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BillNo. _ 4135

Introduced by Representative Nelson S. Legacion
Third Congressional District, Camarines Sur

The Philippines is once again becoming a vibrant hub for world-class
entertainment and sporting events. Recently, it hosted acclaimed international acts
such as Coldplay, BLACKPINK, and TWICE. Local artists such as Bini and SB19,
two (2) Filipino home-grown talents known globally, also often draw sizable crowds,
filling entire stadiums with fans and onlookers in their concerts. However, the
immense popularity of these events has fueled a pervasive issue: ticket scalping
This unethical practice exploits consumers by reselling tickets at exorbitant prices,
often through unofficial channels. The absence of a comprehensive national law
on this matter leaves consumers vulnerable to deceptive and unfair practices,
undermining the integrity of the entertainment industry and preventing the public
from enjoying cultural and recreational events at fair prices.

This bill aims to address this problem by establishing a clear legal
framework to combat ticket scalping. It defines the prohibited acts, outlines
responsibilities for event organizers and ticketing companies, and provides strong
penalties to deter offenders. This measure is grounded in the constitutional
mandate to protect consumer rights and promote the general welfare of the public.

By institutionalizing a clear anti-scalping policy, this bill provides a uniform
legal standard across the country, which will protect the interests of Filipino
consumers, ensure fair access to events, and foster a more transparent ticketing
ecosystem. It will give law enforcement the necessary tools to prosecute offenders
and provide consumers with a means of redress to protect the public from these
predatory practices.

This proposed measure builds on previous legislative efforts to establish
anti-scalping measures in the Philippines. This bill incorporates and improves upon
the principles of earlier measures filed by Representative Precious Hipolito Castelo
in the 18th Congress, Representative Alfred C. Delos Santos and Senator Mark
Villar in the 19th Congress, and Senator Francis "Kiko" N. Pangilinan in the 20th
Congress, to create a more comprehensive and robust legal framework.


In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this measure is sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. _ 4135

Introduced by Representative Nelson S. Legacion
Third Congressional District, Camarines Sur

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. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Anti-Ticket Scalping
Act."

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy.- It is hereby declared the policy of the
State to protect the interests of consumers, promote the general welfare, and
establish fair 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 that undermine fair access to
entertainment events and shall regulate the resale of admission tickets to ensure
that prices remain reasonable and transparent.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms.- As used in this Act, the following terms
are defined as follows:

a) “Admission Ticket’- refers to evidence of a right of entry to an
entertainment event, whether printed or digital;

b) “Entertainment Event” - refers to any event, occasion, occurrence or
activity that provides amusement or recreation organized by persons, which are
open to the public and involves the distribution of admission tickets such as sports
shows, concerts, stage performances, beauty pageants, festivals, road shows, fan
meets or any similar undertakings;

c) “Face Value’ - refers to the price of the ticket set by the event producer
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or organizer or the original purchase price of an admission ticket;

d) ‘Resale’ - refers to the act of selling admission tickets previously sold to
someone else.

e) “Authorized Reselling Platform’ - refers to a secondary ticket marketplace
or platform that has been officially authorized in writing by the event producer or
organizer to facilitate the resale of admission tickets.

) “Unconscionable Price” - refers to a price for a ticket that is grossly
excessive and unconscionable relative to the face value, taking into account
prevailing market conditions and standard industry practices, and which results in
an unfair, unjust, or oppressive transaction

SECTION 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 and distributor,
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; and

b) Financing, managing, or operating ticket scalping activities, as defined
in Section 4(a) hereof.

SECTION 5. Other Offenses.- The 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 for more than the face value on any platform, or
operating an unauthorized reselling platform;

c) Willfully aiding or abetting in the commission of any of the offenses
enumerated under Section 4; and

d) Willfully attempting to commit any of the offenses enumerated under
Section 4.

SECTION 6. Duties and Responsibilities of Entities Engaged in the
Business of Event Ticketing, Event Production, and Event Services.- Within ninety
(90) days from the issuance of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of this
Act, ail entities engaged in the business of event ticketing, event production, and
event services that organizes, sells, distributes or resells admission tickets shall
post, publish or display digital and/or physical signages on their websites and on
conspicuous places within their premises, warning against ticket scalping. In
addition, these entities are also mandated to adopt, implement and enforce

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respective internal policy guidelines, prevention and reporting mechanisms to both
law enforcement agencies and consumers.

SECTION 7. Institution of Complaint.- The Department of Justice (DOJ), the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its relevant bureaus or attached
agencies, and the Department of Interior Local Government (DILG), including the
Philippine National Police (PNP), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and
all other law enforcement agencies, may institute a complaint for violation of this
Act before the appropriate court.

SECTION 8. Penalties.

a) The following penalties shall be imposed upon any person found guilty of
any act prohibited in Section 4 hereof.

1) For the first offense, a fine of One hundred thousand pesos (Php
100,000.00) or imprisonment of six (6) months, or both, at the discretion of the
court;

2) For the second offense, a fine of Two hundred fifty thousand pesos (Php
250,000.00) or imprisonment of one (1) year, or both, at the discretion of the court;

3) For the third and subsequent offenses, a fine of Five hundred thousand
pesos (Php 500,000.00) or imprisonment of three (3) years, or both, at the
discretion of the court.

b) The following penalties shall be imposed upon any person found guilty of
any act prohibited in Sections 5 and 6 hereof:

1) For the first offense, a fine of Fifty thousand pesos (Php 50,000.00); 2)
For the second offense, a fine of One hundred thousand pesos (Php 100,000.00)
or imprisonment of six (6) months, or both, at the discretion of the court;

3) For the third and subsequent offenses, a fine of Two hundred fifty
thousand pesos (Php 250,000.00) or imprisonment of one (1) year, or both, at the
discretion of the court;

4) If the offender is a corporation, the penalty may, at the discretion of the
court, be imposed upon such corporation and/or upon its directors, trustees,
stockholders, members, officers, or employees responsible for the violation or
indispensable to its commission

(0) If the offender is a corporation, the penalty may, at the discretion of the
court, be imposed upon such corporation and/or upon its directors, trustees,
stockholders, members, officers, or employees responsible for the violation or
indispensable to its commission

SECTION 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days
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from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of
Interior Local Government (DILG), and the Department of Trade and Industry
(DTI), in coordination with other relevant agencies and industry stakeholders, shall
promulgate the rules and regulations necessary for implementing the law.

SECTION 10. Separability Clause. If any provision or part of this Act is
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions or parts thereof not
affected by such declaration shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. All laws, presidential decrees, executive
orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of
this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SECTION 12. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,