SHJi>.Tt: 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) i':'" OFfiCE OF iM\;; SEGRf.·[ Am' 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. No. 33 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
For decades, boxers have sacrificed greally their physical well being for the love 
of the sport and to entertain boxing fans all over the world. International boxing 
champions risk their lives and limbs to give honor and glory to our country. 
Yet all too often these fighters wind up living in poverty, a mere shadow of their 
former greatness. These stories are all too familiar and bespeak the need to eradicate 
this blemish on the sport of boxing. While our country is proud of the accomplishments 
of our international boxing champions, many struggle financially' as they retire or 
experience boxing related injuries. 
Great many world fighters who have thrilled us over the years, fighting for a 
championship belt, face retirement without any kind of financial assistance or access to 
medical care. Many suffer from depression, alcohol and substance abuse, rage 
disorders, homelessness or indigency and a total lack of financial awareness. Many 
boxers suffer from the terrible effects of boxer's syndrome (pugilistic dementia) and 
injuries in the ring, that can occur in a split second. Many of the causes of death involve 
profuse swelling on the brain due to fight related injuries. Often, many of our boxing 
fighters do not have proper health care and pension benefits. Filipino boxer Z Gorres 
comes to mind. 
This proposed measure seeks to correct such issue by creating a mandatory 
boxer insurance and pension fund. It seeks to grant retirement incentives to future and 
former international boxing champions who have garnered world titles or world 
championship title. As such, a monthly pension benefit in the amount of at least 
Php20,OOO.OO shall be awarded to international boxing champions upon reaching the 
age of 45 years. Boxers who are incapacitated or injured while pursuing their boxing 
careers are also covered by this measure. 
In the event of death, this measure proposes that the surviving spouse, if any, 
shall receive the pension benefits due to the boxer. Children of international boxing 
champions shall be awarded a full scholarship grant by the Government up to the 
collegiate level. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
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a 
........ . 
MANUEL "LITO" M. LAPI,1'lJ 
Senator 
[V 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. :33 
) 
) 
) 
",-
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE INTERNATIONAL BOXER WELFARE, INSURANCE 
AND PENSION SYSTEM, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. 
Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Boxer 
Welfare, Insurance and Pension Act of 2010." 
SEC. 2. 
Declaration of Policy. -
It is hereby declared the policy of the 
State to promote sports excellence and develop Filipino athletes into international 
caliber competitors and to make available to them the safety net mechanisms to protect 
their welfare and wellbeing. 
As such, the State shall promote policies that seek to provide welfare, insurance 
and pension system to our boxers in recognition of the honor and glory they have given 
our country. 
SEC. 3. 
Establishment of a Boxer Beneficiary Registry. -
There is 
hereby established a Boxer Beneficiary Registry which shall be administered by the 
Games and Amusement Board (GAB). 
The Games and Amusement Board shall be responsible for establishing a 
databank and registry of all Filipino international boxing champions in order to identify 
and monitor the beneficiaries under this Act. 
The information contained in the Boxer Beneficiary Registry shall include basic 
identification, financial, medical and boxing record information. 
SEC. 4. 
Monthly Pension Benefits for International Boxing Champions. 
- Subject to the provisions of existing laws, Filipino boxers who have won international 
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boxing titles shall be awarded a monthly pension in the amount of Twenty thousand 
pesos (Php20,000.00) upon reaching the age of 45 years. 
SEC. 5. 
Compulsory Health Insurance Coverage. -
All professional 
boxers shall be enrolled in the National Health Insurance Program of the Government to 
enable them to receive and avail of a adequate package of personal health services 
including, but not limited to in-patient hospital care, out-patient care, emergency and 
transfer services, and other supplementary health benefits, as may be provided in the 
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC). The cost of premium contribution and 
the standard monthly contributions shall be shouldered by the State. 
Upon the passage of this Act, all professional boxers shall be automatically 
entitled to the full enjoyment and availment of essential health services, as contained in 
Republic Act No. 7875 or the National Health Insurance Act. 
Professional boxers shall not be required to pay monthly contributions and all 
other fees or charges for them to be entitled to these benefits. 
In the event of an international title bout held outside the country, the promoter of 
the boxer is hereby mandated to enroll the fighter in a comprehensive health insurance 
package; Provided, That the promoter shall shoulder the premium contribution and the 
standard monthly contributions; Provided further, That the National Government shall 
subsidize fifty percent (50%) of said contributions. 
SEC. 6. 
Alternative Livelihood Programs for Retired and/or Injured 
International Boxing Champions. -
The Games and Amusement Board, in 
coordination with the various stakeholders in the boxing industry, shall establish an 
alternative livelihood training program and referral system for retired and/or injured 
international boxing champions. 
The amount necessary to implement the provisions of this Act shall be included 
in the annual appropriations of the Games and Amusement Board. 
SEC. 7. 
Pension Benefits to Surviving Spouse of International Boxing 
Champions. - In the event of death of the international boxing champion, the legally 
surviving spouse of the international boxing champion shall receive the monthly pension 
due to the international boxer, as provided under Section 4 of this Act. 
SEC. 8. 
Educational Benefits to Children of International Boxing 
Champions. -
In recognition of the honor and glory given by international boxing 
champions to our country, at most two (2) children of each international boxing 
champions shall be awarded a full scholarship grant and be admitted to any 
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government-owned school, college, university or institution and all school fees, including 
tuition, library, laboratory, medical, physical education, diploma and graduation fees 
shall be at the expense of the Government. 
The children who shall avail of these educational benefits shall be chosen by the 
boxer, in consultation with his/her spouse. If the boxer is deceased, the surviving 
spouse shall choose. If both the boxer and his spouse are deceased, the two eldest 
children who have not acquired a college degree shall be awarded the scholarship grant 
provided under this Section. 
SEC. 9. 
Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - Within Ninety (90) 
days from the date of effectivity of this Act, the Games and Amusement Board, in 
consultation with the various stakeholders in the boxing industry, shall prescribe the 
implementing rules and regulations (IRR) necessary to effectively implement of the 
provisions of this measure. 
SEC. 10. 
Funding. - There is hereby authorized to be appropriated for the 
initial implementation of this Act the amount of Fifty Million Pesos (Php 50,000,000.00) 
for the establishment of the International Boxer Pension Fund which shall be 
administered by the Games and Amusement Board. 
Thereafter, such amount needed to implement this Act shall be included in the 
Annual Appropriations of the GAB. 
SEC. 11. 
Authority to Accept Donations. - The GAB is hereby authorized 
to accept donations, contributions, grants in cash or in kind, from various sources, 
domestic or foreign to augment the International Boxer Pension Fund, in order to attain 
the objectives of this Act; Provided, That any donation, contribution or financial aid 
which may be made to the GAB shall be exempt from taxes and shall constitute 
allowable deductions in full from the income of the donors or contributors. 
SEC. 12. 
Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act or the application 
of such provision to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the remainder of this 
Act or the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be 
affected thereby. 
SEC. 13. 
Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, letters of 
instructions or proclamations inconsistent with this Act shall be deemed modified, 
amended or repealed accordingly. 
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SEC. 14. 
Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
following its complete publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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