REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
QUEZON CITY

"R wal
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. Tee6

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVES ENRICO A. PINEDA and
MICHAEL ODYLON L. ROMERO, PhD.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘As in anywhere in the world, sports, competitive and otherwise, is a popular
pastime for Filipinos, be them as spectators or the players themselves. Next tour wide
menu of primetime telenovelas, professional basketball and volleyball games have been
enticing viands of entertainment for Filipinos. Not a day would pass when a game or
two is broadcasted over national television to the excitement of fans and audiences.

‘The increasing popularity of sports particularly of basketball and volleyball seem
to have opened the opportunity for some enterprising individuals to make extra money
by betting on its results. As one who doesn’t want to be on the losing end, almost always,
people would find means to influence the results most especially if the stakes are high.
When praying to their favored saints and dancing to their colorful lucky charms do not
deliver, game fixing comes into play.

There are many reported cases of game fixing in Philippine Sports. Allegedly, it
was the cause of the supposed hit on an athlete who, according to stories, did not perform
the way he had been arranged he would. One professional basketball player called the
attention of the public that there is game fixing in his sport. Despite circumstances that
would point to game fixing as a reality in sports, legislation has yet to deal severely with
this reprehensible act which most definitely affects adversely the competitive spirit of
Filipino sport. In this regard, this bill seeks to expand the elements and acts constituting
the crime of game fixing and prescribe stiffer penalties, while promoting fair and
competitive conduct of sports in the country.

This proposed bill was filed in the 17 Congress, underwent thorough
deliberations and was subsequently passed on the Third Reading. Hence, immediate
passage of this measure is earnestly prayed for.

ENRICO A. PINEDA
1PACMAN

.EL ODYLON L. ROMERO, PhD
1PACMAN

FIED, cl



REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
QUEZON CITY

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1826

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVES ENRICO A. PINEDA and
MICHAEL ODYLON L. ROMERO, PhD.

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

AN ACT REDEFINING THE CRIME OF GAME FIXING AND PRESCRIBING
STIFFER PENALTIES THEREFOR

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.

Itshall 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 game-fixing.

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, unfair or dishonest
means, method, manner or practice employed for the purpose of influencing the
result of any game, race or sports contest.


Game-Fixing in any of the forms defined in Sections 3 and 4 of this Act is hereby
declared unlawful.

SECTION 5. Proposal, Attempt, and Conspiracy to Commit Game-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 are licensed, accredited and recognized by the Games and
Amusements Board.

b. Amateur sports shall refer to individual or team sports, games, contests, 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
game-fixing as herein described:

a. The penalty of imprisonment from three (3) years to six (6) years or a fine of not
less than One Million pesos (P1,000,000.00) but not more than Five million pesos
(P5,000,000.00), 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 (P1,000,000.00) 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
parinership, 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 criminally liable as a principal:
Provided finally, That if the offender is an alien, the same penalties shall be applied and
the offender shall be deported only after service of sentence.

SECTION 8. Perpetual Disqualification 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 game-fixing for the
second time

The Philippine Sports Commission, Games and Amusements Board, Department
of Education, Commission on Higher Education, and other concerned agencies shall be
served copies of the decision and order disqualifying a person from participation in any
capacity in any sports in the country.

SECTION 9. Roles of Concerned Agencies. - The following agencies and
instrumentalities shall be tasked to do the following in implementing Section 8 of this
Act:

a.) Game and Amusements Board shall revoke the license of professional athletes
and other sports officials;

b,) 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;

c.) Department of Education shall ban primary and secondary student-athletes
including coaches and officiating staff, from participating in Palarong
Pambansa and other DepEd-sponsored, sanctioned or organized sports events
or competitions;

d.) Philippine Olympic Committee / National Sports Associations shall remove
athletes, coaches and other sports officials from their respective rosters;

e.) Athletic associations shall disqualify athletes, coaches and other sports officials
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 strict implementation
of the accessory penalty provided under Section 8.

SECTION 10. Immunity from Prosecution and Punishment. - 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 Benefic Act” as provided under Republic Act
No. 6981.

SECTION 11. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is held invalid
or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force
and effect.

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 are deemed amended, modified or


repealed accordingly

SECTION 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,