EICH 1ELNTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
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'19 AUG 27 P5 23
INTRODUCED BY: SENATOR EMMANUEL D. PACQUIAO
AN ACT
REDEFINING THE CRIME OF GAME-FIXING 
AND PRESCRIBING STIFFER PENALTIES THEREFOR, 
AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 483
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Presidential Decree No. 483 took effect in 1974, seeking to penalize betting, game­
fixing or point shaving and machinations in sports contests. As early as that time, the State 
already recognized the ill effects of gambling in its various forms. The decree was seen as a 
protective measure particularly for the youth and for the society as a whole against 
unscrupulous people who employ fraudulent schemes that subvert the aims ot real 
sportsmanship.
Almost half a century after, enterprising individuals motivated by greed still threaten to 
destroy the integrity of Philippine sports. No less than athletes have come forward in recent 
years attesting to this reality. Game-fixing and illegal gambling are still prevalent and have 
been rocking the foundations of both amateur and professional leagues. Thus, there is an urgent 
need to revisit the ruling law to decisively put a stop to this reprehensible act.
This bill seeks to redefine the crime of game-fixing and prescribe stiff'er penalties to 
adapt to the changing needs of our time. Hence, urgent passage of this measure is earnestly 
sought.
EMMANUEL D. PACQUIAO


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PFHLIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 97 J
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T9 
AUG 2-7..P- 5- ^
INTRODUCED BY: SENATOR EMMANUEL D. PACQUIAO
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------RfcCtlV: i t}-.:
AN ACT
REDEFINING 1 HE C RIME OF GAME-FI\IN(i 
AND PRESCRIBING STIFFER PENALTIES THEREFOR, 
AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 483
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SECTION 1. Short title. - This Act shall be known as the "Anti-Game Fixing Act".
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote the growth and 
development of sports in the country and protect the youth from the influence of persons who. 
through fraudulent schemes and machinations, engage in the practice of game fixing, point shaving 
and other nefarious practices that subvert the spirit of sportsmanship and competitive sports among 
Filipino athletes.
SECTION 3. Game-Fixing. Game Fixing refers to any act or series of acts, wherein any person 
or persons, maliciously conducts or cause to be conducted any professional or amateur sports other 
than on the basis of honest playing skill or ability of the players or participants.
It shall include any arrangement, agreement or scheme wherein the skill or ability of any player or 
participant in a game, sport, race or sports competition shall be limited deliberately in order to 
influence the process or to produce a predetermined result.
The payment or receipt of money or valuable consideration shall constitute a prima facie 
evidence of gam c-flxing.
SECTION 4. Other Forms of Game-Fixing. - Game-fixing as defined in Section 3 hereof, 
shall likewise include the following acts:
a. 
Point-shaving refers to any such arrangement, combination, scheme or agreement 
by which the skill or ability of any player or participant in a game, race or sports competition to 
make points or scores shall be limited deliberately in order to influence the result thereof in favor 
of one or the other team, player or participant therein.
b. 
Game machination refer to any other fraudulent, deceitful, unl'air or dishonest means, 
method, manner or practice employed for the purpose of influencing the result of any game, race 
or sports contest.


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Game-Fixing in any of the rorms defined in Sections 3 and 4 of this Act is hereby declared 
unlawful.
SECTION 5. Proposal, Attempt, and C onspiracy to Commit (iame-Fixing. A proposal, 
attempt, or conspiracy to commit game-fixing shall be punishable with the same penalty 
prescribed under this Act.
SECTION 6. Covered Sports. - As used in this Act. game-fixing may only be committed in the 
following sports:
a. Professional sports shall refer to individual or team sports, games, contest, bouts, 
tournament or competitions whereby the participating athlete is paid sums of money 
or other forms of compensation as regular salary or prize for participation, which arc 
licensed, accredited and recognized by the Games and Amusements Board.
b. Amateur sports shall refer to individual or team sports, games, eontests. bouts, 
tournaments or competitions, including collegiate leagues conducted by the public or 
private schools athletic associations, whereby the participant is engaged largely or 
entirely without remuneration: Provided, however, the local government unit (LGU- 
)sponsored. sanctioned or organized sports events or competitions shall not be 
covered in this Act.
SECTION 7. Penalties. - The following penalties are hereby imposed on the acts of gam e- 
fixing as herein described:
a. The penalty of impri.sonment from three (3) years to six (6) years or a fine of not 
less than One Million pesos (Pl.000.000.00) but not more than Five million pesos 
(PS.000.000.00). or both at the discretion of the court shall be. imposed upon any 
person found guilty of any offense defined herein;
b. The penalty of imprisonment from six (6) years to twelve (12) years or a fine of 
not less than One million pesos (Pl.000.000.00) but not more than Five million pesos 
(P5.000.000.00). or both at the discretion of the court, when the offender is an 
athlete, promoter, referee, umpire, judge, coach in the game, race or sports 
competition, or any other sports official;
c. The maximum penalty provided shall be imposed upon any person who pays or 
receives money or any other valuable consideration in furtherance of the crime of 
game-fixing.
Provided. That if the offender is a public officer, whether elected or appointed, an additional 
penalty of perpetual disqualification from holding any public office or employment shall be 
imposed: Provided further. That if the violation is committed by a partnership, corporation, 
association or any Juridical entity, the partner, president, director, manager, trustee, estate 
administrator, or officer, who consents to or knowingly tolerates such violation, shall be held


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criminally liable as a principal: Provided finally. That ifthc olTcnder is an alien, the same 
penalties shall be applied and the offender shall be deported only after service of sentence.
SKC riON 8. Perpetual Disqualirieation from Participation in Amateur and 
Professional Sports. The following persons shall be perpetually disqualified to participate in 
any capacity in any sports in the country:
a. Those engaged in professional sports if found guilty of game-fixing; and
b. Those engaged in amateur sports if found guilty of gam e-fixing for the 
second lime
The Philippine Sports Commission, Games and Amusements Board, Department of Education, 
Commission on Higher Education, and other concerned ageneies shall be served eopies of the 
decision and order disqualifying a person from participation in any capacity in any sports in the 
country.
SECTION 9. Roles of Concerned Agcncic.s. -The following agencies and instrumentalities 
shall be tasked to do the following in implementing Section 8 of this Act:
a.
b.
c.
d.
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g.
h.
Game and Amusements Board shall revoke the license of professional athletes and 
other sports officials;
Philippine Sports Commission shall remove athletes from the national team, 
including coaches and other sports officials, and ban 
athletes 
from 
participating in any amateur sports competitions locally and abroad;
Department of Education shall ban primary and secondary student-athletes 
including coaches and officiating staff, from participating in Palarong l^ambansa 
and other DepEd-sponsored. .sanctioned or organized sports events or competitions; 
Philippine Olympie Committee/ National Sports Associations shall remove 
athletes, coaches and other sports officials from their respective rosters;
Athletic associations shall disqualify athletes, coaches and other sports ofllcials 
from participating in any inter-school athletic programs and competitions; and 
Schools shall disqualify athletes, coaches and other sports officials from 
representing the school to any sports events.
The concerned agencies shall coordinate and monitor the striet implementation of the accessory 
penalty provided under Section 8.
SECTION 10. Ininiuiiity from Prosecution and Punisliniciit. - Any person who voluntarily 
discloses, testifies, or assists in the prosecution of any of the offenses penalized herein shall be 
exempted from prosecution or punishment prescribed herein: Provided. That any person who has 
witnessed or has knowledge or information on the commission of a crime and has testified or is 
testifying or about to testify before any judicial or quasi-judicial body, or before any 
investigating authority, may be admitted into the "Witness Protection. Security and Benefit Act" 
as provided under Republic Act No. 6981.


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SECTION 11. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is held invalid or 
iinconstitLitional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and efiect.
SECTION 12. Repealing Clause. - The provisions on game-fixing, point-shaving and game 
machinations in sports contests under Sections 1 to 4 of Presidential Decree No. 483, as 
amended, pertinent provisions of Section 1 of Presidential Decree No. 1602, and all other laws, 
executive orders, issuances, decrees, rules and regulations inconsistent with or contrary to the 
provisions of this Act arc deemed amended, modified or repealed accordingly
SEC'FION 13. Effcctivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,