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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE @PUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
One sport where Filipinos have shown a good chance of excelling and attaining 
world prominence is in boxing. Many of OUT counhpen have made the nation proud by 
becoming world champions. Considering that it is a physically challenging sport, one that 
exposes them to physical injuries, there is a need to safeguard their health and safety. 
This bill seeks to establish &d provide for the implementation of health and 
safety.standards 
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relating to the conduct of professional boxing matches. 
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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
First Regular Session 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
S.B. No. 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
TO PROVIDE FOR HEALTH AND WORK SAFETY STANDARDS 
FOR PROFESSIONAL BOXERS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House ofRepresentatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled. 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be cited as the “Professional Boxing 
Safety Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration ofPolicy. - 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? 
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SECTION 3. DeJinitions of Terms-For the purpose of this Act, the term: 
(1) “Boxer” means a person who participates in a professional boxing match. 
(2) “Licensee” means an individual who serves as trainer, second, or cut 
(3) “Manager” means a person or business that helps arrange 
a professional boxer. 
matches for a boxer, and that serves as an advisor or 
professional capacity. 
(4) “Matchmaker” means a person or business that proposes,, selects, and 
arranges the boxers to participate in a professional boxing match. 
(5) “Professional boxing match‘- 


(A) means a boxing contest held between individuals for compensation or 
a prize; and 
(B) does not include any amateur boxing match. 
(6) “Promoter” means a person or business that organizes, holds, advertises, or 
(7) “Games and Amusement Board” means a government agency that 
authority to regulate professional boxing. It shall hereinafter be referred to 
otherwise conducts a professional boxing match. 
“Board.” 
SECTION 4. Professional Boxing Matches - 
(1) 
In General-A 
professional boxing match may be held only if- 
(A) 
a licensed practicing physician, whose services are paid by the 
promoter, is continuously present at the ringside of the professional boxing 
match; 
(8) the promoter has, in accordance with this subsection, provided-- 
(i) 
for a physical examination of each boxer who participate in the 
professional boxing match by a licensed practicing physician, to 
ensure that each boxer is physically fit to compete in the boxing 
match; and 
for an ambulance to be continuously present at the site of the 
boxing match; or 
(iii) if applicable, notice in accordance with paragraph (2); and 
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(ii) 
(C) the Board has established procedures to carry out sections 5 through 8. 
(A) In General-If 
the promoter for that boxing match does not cho se to 
provide for such ambulance, the promoter shall, not later than 24 hours befo ethat 
boxing match, notify the nearest available ambulance service (including any 
appropriate emergency medical service) of that boxing match. 
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(2) 
Ambulance Service- 


(B) 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. 
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(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 rivate 
organization if the Board or its appointed officials determines that-- 
(A) the private pr.ofessiona1 boxing organization is not performi g the 
obligations of that organization that are specified in the contract in a manner that 
is satisfactory to the chairman of the Board; or 
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(B) the cancellation of the professional boxing match is necessary to 
protect public health, safety, or welfare. 
SECTION 5. Registratim- 
(1) Requirements-Each 
professional boxer shall register with the Board. 
(2) Identification Card- 
(A) Issuance-The 
Board shall issue to each professional boxer who 
registers in accordance with subsection (a), an identification card that contains-- 
(i) 
(ii) 
A recent photograph of the boxer; and 
Each personal identification number assigned to the 
boxer by the Board. 
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(B) Renewal-Each 
professional boxer shall renew his o r ,  her 
identification card every two (2) years. 
(3) Relation to Government Rules and Regulations-Nothing 
in this section shall 
be construed as preventing the government from applying additional registration 
requirements. 


identification cards or documents. 
SECTION 7. Insurance.- The Board, in carrying out the regulation of 
professional boxing match that the promoter involved is conducting, to cover an iAjury 
sustained while engaged in that match. 
profe:sional 
SECTION 8. Reporting. - 
(1) 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. 
(2) Suspension-Not 
later than 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 %professional boxing in the Philippines. 
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SECTION 9. Enforcement. 
(1) Injunctions-Whenever 
the Chairman of the Board has reasonable 
cause to believe that a person or entity is engaged in a violation of this A 


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 Chairmai 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. 
(2) Criminal Penalties- 
(A) Managers, Promoters, Matchmakers and Licensees-Each 
manager, 
promoter, m@shmaker, or licensee who lcnowingly 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 (PlOO,OOO.OO), or both. 
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(B) Boxers-Any 
professional boxer who knowingly and willfully 
violates any provision of this Act shall, upon conviction, be fined not mo e than 
Five Thousand Pesos (P5,OOO.OO). 
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SECTION 9. 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- 
(1) the appropriate officials of the government; and 
(2) private organizations that assist in the regulation of professional boxing 
matches. 
SECTION 10. Pension Study. - 
(1) In General-The 
Secretary of Labor shall conduct a study on the feasibility 
and cost of a national pension system €or professional boxers, including potential funding 
sources. 
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(b) Report-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 paragraph (1). 
SECTION 11. 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 12. Repealing Clause.- Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary 
 to^ orjnconsistent-with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or 
amended accordingly. 
SECTION 13. EfSectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved. 
Fn: 1637