Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 1526

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVES ALFREDO A. GARBIN, Jr. and
ELIZALDY S. CO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to prohibit the participation of minors in competitive full-contact
sports such as boxing, mixed martial arts, jujutsu, muay thai, judo, and various forms of
full-contact karate.

This bill prohibits the participation of minors only in full-contact sports competition
but regulates their participation in leisure, non-competitive sports, and in training. In
regulating such sports, parents, guardians, schools and sports associations are required
to undertake the necessary protection for the minors in the ing place and in their
gears and clothing. Prior to participation in such regulated sports, physical examination
and clearance by qualified doctors shall be required,

While acknowledging the importance and benefits and the values that can be
derived from participating in these sports, this bill also recognizes the paramount need
to protect the minors. Such responsibility is imposed on parents, guardians, schools and
sports associations because the minors are incapacitated to give consent nor can they
waive any right of action for injuries inflicted upon them during and in connection with
‘such activities.

In view of the above circumstances, the swift passage of the bill is earnestly
sought



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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL Neo. 526

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVES ALFREDO A. GARBIN, Jr. and
ELIZALDY S. CO

AN ACT
BANNING MINORS FROM FULL-CONTACT COMPETITIVE SPORTS, IMPOSING
PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION THEREOF AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

Section 1. Declaration of Policy. — The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in
nation-building and it is responsible for ensuring the promotion and protection of their

physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being
Section 2. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Act, the term:

(A) “Full-Contact Sports” shall mean any sport for which significant
physical impact force, whether deliberate or incidental, on players is allowed for
within the rules of the game. It includes but is not limited to boxing, mixed martial
arts, jujutsu, Muay Thai, judo, and various forms of full-contact karate.

(B) “Semi-Contact Sport” is any sport involving striking and containing
physical contact between the combatants simulating full-power techniques, which
are restricted to limited power. Contact sports, which use gears to protect the
athlete from injury, shall be considered a semi-contact sport.

(C) “Sports competition” is a contest, whether or not organized by the
government or any government-licensed or —authorized entity or authority, for
resources and goods, prestige, promotion, recognition, awards, grades, social
status, or for leadership. A sports event shall be deemed a sports competition
even if the awards to victors or winners are only nominal.

(D) “Recreational Sports" any sport that is conducted for leisure

(E) “Non-competitive Sports” any sport conducted that is not covered by a
sports competition.

(F) “Training” is the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and competencies
with the end of improving an athlete's capability, capacity, productivity, and


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Performance. It may include physical education classes in educational institutions
and sports clinics. A training shall be considered a sports competition if trainees
are required, permitted, or authorized to engage in a match with the trainer or
another trainee for resources and goods, prestige, promotion, recognition,
awards, grades, social status, or for leadership

Section 3. Prohibited Acts.

(A) All minors are hereby prohibited from competing in any full-contact
sports competition.

(B) Sports organization, associations, or event-organizers are prohibited
from conducting full-contact sports competition participated by minors.

(C) Sports organization, associations, or event-organizers are prohibited
from engaging the participation of minors in any full-contact sports competition

(D) Schools, and sports education institutions are prohibited from inviting
and encouraging the participation of minors in a full-contact sports competition

(0) Parents or guardians are prohibited from authorizing or consenting to
the participation of minors in a full-contact sports competition.

Provided, that, in any case, it shall not be a defense that the parent or
guardian has consented to the participation of the minor in any full-contact sport
competition. Neither shall be a defense that he/she did not know or was not aware
of the real age of the minor.

Provided further that, if a partnership or a corporation owns the
establishment, the managing partner/s, or the president of the corporation shall be
jointly held criminally liable as conspirator with the person admitting or allowing
such minor.

Section 4. Authorized participation in recreational or non-competitive sports. The
preceding section is not applicable in semi-contact sports, limited-contact sports, or full-
contact sports which are conducted as a recreational or non-competitive sport or for
training. Provided, that the following conditions are complied with prior to the
participation of the minor:

(A) The parent or guardian shall put in writing a consent form or letter,
Clearance, or permit which shall be submitted to the school, sports institution,
sports organization, associations.

(B) Any sports organization, association, or event organizers, schools, and
sports education institutions shall ensure that protective and safety measures are
established in the gymnasium, sports arena, and other areas where the sports are
conducted and protective and safety gears are used by all participants

(C) Any sports organization, association, or event organizers, schools, and
sports education institutions shall ensure that the athletes or trainees are clothed
with protective and safety gears appropriate for the sport they are engaged in.


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(D) The parent, guardian, sports organization, association, or event
organizers, schools, and sports education institutions shall ensure that the
Participating minor has undergone physical examination and has been cleared by
@ medical doctor for participation in such sports.

Section 5. Presumption. Unless proven otherwise, a minor who is found participating
in any full contact sports competition is prima facie proof that the parent, guardian
Sports association, organization, event organizer, school, sports educational institution
permitted and consented to the participation of the minor.

Section 6. Penalties.

(A) For 1* offense — a fine of P50,000 for violation of any provisions of this
Act.

(B) For 2™ offense — a fine of P100,000, or revocation of business permit
and license to operate, or both, at the discretion of the court

(C) For 3 offense — a fine P200,000, or and closure of the establishment,
or both at the discretion of the court.

Section 7. implementing Rules and Regulations.- Within ninety (90) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the Philippine Sports Commission and the Department of
Education shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement the
provisions of this Act.

Section 8. Separability Clause. — if, for any reason, any provision of this Act is
declared to be unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof which
are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force or effect.

Section 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or
parts thereof, which are inconsistent with or contrary to the provision of this Act are
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Section 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,