Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR HEALTH AND WORK SAFETY STANDARDS 
FOR PROFESSIONAL BOXERS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Professional Boxing Safety Act is a legislative act aimed at increasing the safety of 
professional boxers in the Philippines. Boxing is a prominent sport in the nation, having a 
long and rich past. However, the safety of boxers, particularly in professional fights, has 
been a topic for worry in recent years. 
One sport where Filipinos have shown a high chance of thriving and gaining international 
fame is boxing. Many of our compatriots have made the nation proud by becoming global 
champions. Considering that it is a physically hard activity that exposes them to bodily 
damage, there is a need to preserve their health and safety. 
This bill intends to create and provide for the execution of health and safety standards for 
professional boxing fights. 
Overall, the Professional Boxing Safety Act attempts to achieve a balance between 
promoting the sport of boxing and safeguarding the safety of its practitioners. By putting 
in place these safeguards, we intend to make professional boxing in the Philippines safer 
and more entertaining for everyone involved. 
On behalf of the people of Parañaque City’s Second District, and for the common good 
of the Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought. 
REP. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
2nd District, Parañaque City 
May 3, 2023
8:16 am
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
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 shall be cited as the “Professional Boxing Safety 
Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – One 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 Terms. – For the purpose of this Act, the term: 
(A) “Boxer” means a person who participates in a professional boxing match;
(B) “Licensee” means an individual who serves as trainer, second, or cut man for a
professional boxer;
(C) “Manager” means a person or business that helps arrange professional boxing
matches for a boxer, and that serves as an advisor or representative of a boxer in a
professional capacity;
(D) “Matchmaker” means a person or business that proposes, selects, and arranges the
boxers to participate in a professional boxing match;
(E) “Professional boxing” match means a boxing contest held between individuals for
compensation or a prize, except amateur boxing contests;
(F) “Promoter” means a person or business that organizes, holds, advertises, or
otherwise conducts a professional boxing match; and
(G) “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. — 
(A) In General. – A professional boxing match may be held only if—
(1) A licensed practicing physician, whose services are paid by the promoter, is
continuously present at the ringside of the professional boxing match;
(2) The promoter has, in accordance with this subsection, provided—
(a) For a physical examination of each boxer who participates in the
professional boxing match by a licensed practicing physician, to ensure
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that each boxer is physically fit to compete in the boxing match; and 
 
(b) For an ambulance to be continuously present at the site of the boxing 
match; 
 
(3) The Board has established procedures to carry out Sections 5 through 8 of this Act. 
 
(B) Ambulance Service. – 
 
(1) 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. 
 
(2) 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 health, safety, or welfare. 
 
SECTION 5. Registration. – 
(A) Registration. – 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 Paragraph (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 from applying additional registration 
requirements. 
 
SECTION 6. Review. – The Board shall establish procedures— 
(A) To evaluate the professional records of each boxer participating in a boxing match; 
 
(B) To ensure that no boxer is permitted to box while under suspension as meted by the 
Board due to injury or other medical reasons, including— 
 
(1) A recent knockout, injury, or requirement for a medical procedure; 
 
(2) Failure of a drug test; 
 
(3) Poor boxing skills, or the inability to safely compete; or 
 
(4) The use of false aliases, or falsifying, or attempting to falsify, official 
identification cards or documents. 


 
 
SECTION 7. Insurance. – The Board, in carrying out the regulation of professional 
boxing matches, shall require that a promoter provide insurance coverage, in an amount 
determined by the appropriate government office, for each boxer who participates in a 
professional boxing match that the promoter involved is 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 the conclusion of a professional boxing match, the results of such boxing 
match shall be reported to the Board. 
 
(B) Suspension. – Not later than forty-eight (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 person or entity is engaged in a violation of this Act, the Chairman or its 
representative may bring a civil action in the appropriate court requesting such relief, 
including a permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order, or other order, against 
the person or entity, as the Chairman 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 and Licensees. – Each manager, promoter, 
matchmaker, or licensee who knowingly and willfully violates any provision of this Act 
shall, upon 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 (P100,000.00), or 
both. 
 
(2) Boxers. – Any professional boxer who knowingly and willfully violates any 
provision of this Act shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than Five 
Thousand Pesos (P5,000.00). 
 
SECTION 10. 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 the safety and integrity of 
professional boxing as a sport, the Board shall consult with — 
 
(A) The appropriate officials of the government; and 
 
(B) Private organizations that assist in the regulation of professional boxing matches. 
 
SECTION 11. Pension Study. – 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. 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 this Section. 
 
SECTION 12. 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 13. 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 14. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved