REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 8257

Introduced by REPS. ENRICO A. PINEDA, MICHAEL ODYLON L. ROMERO, PhD.,
RICARDO “RJ” T. BELMONTE, SABINIANO S. CANAMA, RON P. SALO,
BENHUR B. LOPEZ, JR., TOMASITO S. VILLARIN, ANICETO BERTIZ,
TEODORO G. MONTORO, SALVADOR B. BELARO, JR., BENHUR B. LOPEZ, JR.,
VIRGILIO S. LACSON, MAKMOD D. MENDING, CARLOS ROMAN L. UYBARRETA,
ORESTES T. SALON and MANUEL LUIS T. LOPEZ

Boxing is a sport that holds a distinct spot in the hearts of the Filipino people. History
will tell that Philippines have produced numerous boxers who have brought great pride
to our country, displaying the immensity of the Filipino spirit and skills. Professional
boxing has produced forty-two (42) major world champions - one of the most in the
world. Further, Filipino boxing greats like Pancho Villa, Gabriel “Flash” Elorde and
Ceferino Garcia are members of two highly respected boxing Hall of Fames. Manny
Pacquiao, our “Pambansang Kamao” and known as one of the greatest pound-for-pound
fighter globally, has inspired a new generation of boxers, thereby re-igniting the interest
of our countrymen to boxing and combat sports.

However, while giving honor and glory to our country, these fighters have to train hard,
unknown to many what they have to sacrifice mentally and physically to strengthen their
resolve and body. There are those who doesn’t make it big. Some even succumb due to
unfortunate circumstances. Worse, those who have decided to hang up their gloves do
not receive any support and spent the rest of their lives in desolation.

It is imperative that we begin to give our fighters the appropriate attention and support
that they deserve. This bill aims to establish the Philippine Boxing and Combat Sports
Commission that will focus and steer the skills and talents of our aspiring fighters,
providing support and guidance towards a proper direction, to implement the needed
welfare incentives and assistance to all professional boxers who have been injured or
retired.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

ENRICO A. PINEDA
1-PACMAN 4

MICHAEL ODYLON L. ROMERO, PhD
1-PACMAN



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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

‘Quezon City

Seventeenth Congress
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 8257

Introduced by REPS. ENRICO A. PINEDA, MICHAEL ODYLON L. ROMERO, PhD.,
RICARDO “RJ” T. BELMONTE, SABINIANO S. CANAMA, RON P. SALO,
BENHUR B. LOPEZ, JR., TOMASITO S. VILLARIN, ANICETO BERTIZ,
TEODORO G. MONTORO, SALVADOR B. BELARO, JR., BENHUR B. LOPEZ, JR.,
VIRGILIO S. LACSON, MAKMOD D. MENDING, CARLOS ROMAN L. UYBARRETA,
ORESTES T. SALON and MANUEL LUIS T. LOPEZ

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

AN ACT CREATING THE PHILIPPINE BOXING AND COMBAT SPORTS
COMMISSION
AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

Section 1. Short Title - This Act Shall be known as the Philippine Boxing and Combat
Sports Commission Act of 2018.

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the Policy of the Senate to promote sports to foster
patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote human liberation
and development. The State shall promote excellence in professional boxing and combat
sports by establishing a Commission that will formulate and implement a national policy
for the development and safety of Filipino professional boxers and combatants.

Section 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall be
defined as follows:

(a) Boxer - means an individual who fights another in a boxing match;

(b) Combat sports - means any of the following or a Combination of any of the
following:

(1) Boxing or fistfighting in any of its styles

(2) Kickboxing in any of its styles

@) Any sport, martial art or activity that involves in accordance with the
applicable regulation, striking, kicking, hitting, grappling, throwing
and/or punching opponents;

(c) Combatant - means a person who engages in combat sport as a contestant in
professional combat sport contest;


(d) License - shall refer to a document issued by the Commission authorizing a person
or entity to perform duties as a privilege connected with professional boxing and
combat sports;

(@) Manager ~ means a person who receives compensation for service as an agent or
representatives of a professional boxer or combatant;

(6) Permit - Shall refer to a document issued by the Commission authorizing a person
or entity to hold promote or engage in the conduct or operation of a professional
boxing match;

(g) Professional boxer - shall refer to a boxer who is issued a license by the
Commission to receive a sum of money or other compensation as a salary or prize
money for fighting in a boxing match;

(h) Professional boxing match - shall refer to a boxing match between professional

boxers that shall receive money or other compensation for fighting in said match,

but shall not refer to a boxing contest that is regulated by an amateur sports
organization; and

Promoter ~ shall refer to a person, group of persons, or an entity, licensed as such

by the Commission and primarily responsible for organizing, promoting, and

producing a professional boxing match. The term “promoter” does not include a

hotel, casino, resort, or other commercial establishment hosting or sponsoring a

professional boxing match unless ~ (i) the hotel, casino, resort, or other commercial

establishment is primarily responsible for organizing, promoting and producing
the match; (ii) there is no person or group of persons primarily responsible for
organizing promoting and producing match.

@

Section 4. Creation of the Philippine Boxing and Combat Sports Commission. - To
carry out the above declared policy, the Philippine Boxing and Combat Sports
Commission, hereinafter referred to as the Commission, is here by created. The
Commission shall be attached to the Office of the President and have the same status as
a national regulatory agency.

Section 5. Objectives. — The Commission shall have the following objectives:

(a) To strengthen professional boxing and combat sports in the Philippines and
promote the development of world-class professional boxers and combatants; and

(b) To establish policies related to professional boxing and combat sports, to regulate
professional boxing and combat sports, and to protect the welfare of professional
boxers and combatants.

Section 6. Composition. - The Commission shall be composed of a Chairman and four
(4) members that shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines: Provided, That
the Chairman and two (2) of the members shall be chosen from nominees of the
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), one (1) member chosen from the nominee of the
Department of Health (DOH), and one (1) member from the private sector.

Nominations by the PSC and the DOH shall be submitted to the Office of the
President thirty (30) days prior to expiration of the term of office of incumbents, or within
thirty (30) days from the occurrence of any vacancy in the Commission. Said nominees
shall have nationally recognized experience and comprehensive knowledge in
professional boxing and combat sports activities and known integrity.

Section 7. Term of Office. - The term of office of the commissioners shall be six (6) years:
Provided, that no vacancy shall be filled except for the unexpired portion of any term.


The Chairman and members of the Commission may be suspended or removed by the
President of the Philippines.

Section 8. Meetings and Quorum. - The Commission shall meet regularly once a
month and as often as the exigencies of the service may demand, upon the call of the
Chairman or upon the request of three (3) members of the Commission. The vote of a
majority of the entire membership shall be necessary for the adoption of any rule,
resolution or decision of the Commission.

Section 9. Allowances and Per Diems. - The members of the Commission shall receive
a per diem for each meeting actually attended by them at the rates set by the Governance
Commission for GOCCs (GCG) in accordance with the rules pursuant to Republic Act
No. 10149.

Section 10. Powers and Duties of the Commission. - The Commission shall have the
following powers and duties:

(a) To formulate, review and update the rules and procedures related to professional
boxing in the Philippines in conformity with international standards in order to
regulate boxing and combat sports for the accomplishment of its objectives;

(b) To establish rules, set requirements, and collect fees for the procurement of a
license by, or issuance and renewal of a license to a professional boxer, combatant,
a coach or trainer of a professional boxer, a promoter for a professional boxing or
combat sports match, or a judge or referee in said match, and the procurement of
and issuance of a permit for a professional boxing or combat sports match; or the
suspension or revocation of such license or permit, in order to limit participation
in professional boxing or combat sports matches and other related activities to
licensed and appropriately fir individuals;

(©) To formulate, initiate, plan and implement a national policy for the development
of professional boxing and combat sports in the country;

(d) To establish a consultative mechanism which shall provide a forum for continuing
dialogues between all stakeholders in the implementation of all laws, policies,
programs and projects relating to boxing and combat sports;

(e) To seek or request the assistance and support of any government agency, office or
instrumentality including government - owned and - controlled corporations,
local government units as well as nongovernmental organizations or institutions
in pursuit of its policies;

( To establish and maintain linkages with international boxing organizations or
institutions and counterpart agencies of foreign governments in order to facilitate
and ensure the participation of Filipino professional boxers and combatants in
international events;

(g) To determine and set a safety standard for and to ensure that emergency medical
personnel and services are available in every professional boxing match and
combat sports in the Philippines;


(h) To establish a system of registration and licensing of boxers, combatants, referees,
trainers, seconds, cut man and other personnel necessary for the for the boxing
and combat sports;

() To maintain an integrated registry of professional boxers, combatants, coaches,
trainers, judges, referees, and promoters who will comprise the registered
stakeholders of the industry;

() Toact asa quasi-judicial board when it shall deem necessary to initiate, undertake,
hear and decide any investigation for any violation of its rules and regulations
concerning professional boxing and combat sports and, in connection therewith,
shall have the power to issue subpoena and subpoena duces tecum;

(k) To allocate resources for the implementation of national policies related to boxers
and combatants;

() To submit an annual report on the implementation of this Act to the President
and to Congress; and

(m) To perform such other functions as may be necessary to effectively and efficiently
carry out the provisions of this Act. The functions of the Games and Amusement
Board (GAB) as well as other entities related to boxing and combat sports are here
by transferred to the Commission.

Section 11. Secretariat. - The Commission shall establish a secretariat, which shall be
headed by an executive director and such other technical and administrative staff as may
be needed and as determined by the Commission. The secretariat shall implement the
policies and programs approved by the Commission and administer its day to day
functions. Their salaries, allowances and other emoluments shall be determined by the
Commission in accordance with civil service rules, salary standardization law, and other
relevant and existing laws.

Section 12. Physical and Medical Examination Requirements. - No person may arrange,
promote, organize, produce, or fight in a professional boxing and combat sports match
without a physical and diagnostic examination for each participating professional boxer
or combatant by an accredited and licensed physician of the Commission, certifying
whether or not the boxer or combatant if physically fit to safely compete, pursuant to the
rules and regulations of the Commission.

Section 13. Mandatory Rest Period. - There shall be an interval between boxing contests
and combat sports matches which shall be referred to as mandatory rest period. The
duration for mandatory rest period shall be determined by the Commission

Section 14. Emergency Medical Services. - A professional boxing and combat sports
match may be held only if:

(a) A licensed practicing physician, whose services are paid by the promoter and duly
registered with the Commission, is continuously present at the ringside of the
professional boxing and combat sports match;

(b) Ambulances services, including oxygen tanks and other medical personnel
equipped with appropriate resuscitation equipment continuously present on the
ringside; and


(0) A tertiary hospital is near the vicinity of the event: Provided, that a memorandum
of agreement shall be executed between the promoter of the professional boxing
and combat sports match and said hospital to ensure the injured boxers and
combatants shall be attended to in their facility with dispatch.

Absence of the aforementioned requirements shall be a cause for the cancellation
of the permit to hold the scheduled professional boxing and combat sports match.

Section 15. Social Pension and Health Care Benefits. - All professional boxers and
combatants shall be enrolled in the Social Security System (SSS), National Health
Insurance Program - Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and the Home
Development Mutual Fund or PAG -IBIG, and shall be entitled to all the benefits in
accordance with the pertinent provisions provided by law. The SSS shall develop and
administer a separate and special social security program for boxers and combatants. This
special program may have different contribution, pension and other benefit schemes.
Premium payments or contributions shall be shouldered by the professional boxers and
combatant’s promoter.

Section 16. Boxing and Other Combat Sports Officials. - All the boxing and combat
sports officials involved in any boxing event or combat match shall not receive funds or
compensation, in any form, directly or indirectly, from the promoter or its agents. Such
funds shall be coursed through and collected by the Commission for appropriate
disbursement.

Section 17. Alternative Livelihood Programs for Retired and/ or injured Professional
Boxers and Combatants. - The Commission, in coordination with various stakeholders
in the boxing and combat sports industry, shall establish an alternative livelihood
training program and referral system.

Section 18. Appropriations. - The amount of One Hundred Fifty Million Pesos
(P150,000,000.00) shall be appropriated for the initial implementation of this Act, sourced
from the President's Contingent Fund. Thereafter, the amount needed to implement this
Act shalll be included in the General Appropriations Act.

Section 19, Boxers and Combatants Welfare Development Trust Fund. - There shall be
an independent and separate trust fund established under this Act, to be administered
by the Commission and exclusively used for the welfare benefits of professional boxers
and combatants. The Commission shall be authorized to receive grants, donations,
endowment from various sources, domestic or foreign, for purposes related to their
functions, which shall accrue to the said fund: Provided, That in cases of donations from
foreign governments, acceptance there of shall be subject to the prior clearance and
approval of the President of the Philippines upon recommendation of the Secretary of
Foreign Affairs.

Section 20, Transitory Provision. ~ Pending the Organization of the Commission, the
GAB shall continue to exercise the duties and functions in relation to professional boxing
and combat sports. Such amount under the Boxer’s Welfare Fund, under the GAB shall
then be transferred to the Boxers Welfare Development Trust Fund of the Commission
and will form part of the initial appropriations of the Commission.

Section 21. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - The Commission in
consultation with the DOH, the Department of Education (DEPED), the Commission on
Higher Education (HED), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority


(TESDA), the Department of Finance (DOF), the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), the
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), the PhilHealth, among
others, and other concerned agencies shall promulgate and issue the IRR within sixty (60)
days upon approval of this Act: Provided, That the failure of the Commission to
promulgate the rules and regulations shall not prevent the implementation of this Act
upon its effectivity.

Section 22, Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive
orders, rules or regulations, or parts there of not consistent with the provisions of this Act
are here by repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 23. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act shall be held
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions here of which are not affected there by
shall continue to be in full force and effect.

Section 24. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
publication in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation