Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
AN ACT 
CREATING THE PHILIPPINE BOXING AND COMBAT SPORTS COMMISSION 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
This proposed bill seeks to establish the Philippine Boxing and Combat Sports 
Commission to be the single agency that will focus and steer the skills and talents of 
the youth towards its proper direction, to provide and implement the necessary welfare 
incentives and benefits long overdue to all professional boxers and combatants who 
have brought honor and prestige to our country. Among other, the Commission is 
tasked to formulate, initiate, plan, and implement a national policy for the growth of 
professional boxing and combat sports. 
It also seeks to give due attention to the boxing and combat sports and to all our 
professional boxing and combatant champions. All professional boxers and 
combatants shall be enrolled with the Social Security System (SSS), Philippine 
Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and the Home Development Mutual Fund 
(HDMF) or PAG-IBIG, and shall be entitled to all the benefits in accordance with the 
pertinent provisions of law. 
Moreover, the boxers shall be exempt from the payment of travel tax, airport tax and 
any other travel related taxes or fees now under the conditions herein imposed. 
Retired and injured boxers or combatants are also given alternative livelihood 
programs. For all the accolades that our boxers and combatant champions bring, it is 
high time that their welfare is prioritized. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
May 24, 2021
6:30 PM
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
AN ACT 
CREATING THE PHILIPPINE BOXING AND COMBAT SPORTS COMMISSION 
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 "Philippine Boxing and 
Combat Sports Commission Act”. 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to promote sports to 
foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, promote human 
development, and contribute to economic growth and development. 
The State shall provide focus to, and develop excellence in, professional boxing and 
combat sports and ensure the development and safety of Filipino professional boxers 
and combatants. 
It shall also support the growth of professional boxing and combat sports industry, 
and shall promote the country as an international/regional center for professional 
boxing and combat sports competition, training, convention, and tourism. 
It shall also harness the participation, dedication and technical expertise of 
stakeholders of the professional boxing and combat sports industry. 
Towards these ends, the State shall establish a commission that will formulate and 
implement a national policy for the development and growth of professional boxing 
and combat sports. 
SECTION 3. Definitions of Terms. – For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall 
be defined as follows: 
(a) Combat sports refer to any of the following or a combination of any of the 
following:
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(1) Boxing or fist fighting in any of its styles; 
(2) Kickboxing in any of its styles; and 
(3) Any sport, martial art, or activity that involves, in accordance with the 
applicable regulation, striking, kicking, hitting, grappling, throwing and/or 
punching opponents. 
 
(b) Commission refers to the Philippine Boxing and Combat Sports Commission, 
created under Section 4 of this Act; 
 
(c) License refers to a document, issued by the Commission, authorizing a person or 
entity to perform duties connected with professional boxing and combat sports; 
 
(d) Manager refers to a person who acts as an agent or representative of a 
professional boxer or combatant, and receives compensation for such acts; 
 
(e) Permit refers 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 
or combat sports match; 
 
(f) Professional boxer refers to a boxer who is issued a license by the Commission to 
fight in a professional boxing match for a sum of money or other compensation, such 
as a salary or prize money; 
 
(g) Professional boxing match refers to a boxing match between professional boxers 
who shall receive money or other compensation for fighting in said match, but shall 
not refer to a boxing contest that is organized by an amateur sports organization; 
 
(h) Professional combatant refers to a person who is issued a license by the 
Commission to fight in a professional combat sports match for a sum of money or 
other compensation, such as a salary or prize; 
 
(i) Professional combat sports match refers to a sports match between professional 
combatants who shall receive money or other compensation for fighting in said match; 
and 
 
(j) Promoter refers 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 or combat sports match. The term "promoter" does not include a 
hotel, casino, resort, or other commercial establishment hosting or sponsoring a 
professional boxing or combat sports match unless: 
 
(i) the hotel, casino, resort, or other commercial establishment is primarily 
responsible for organizing, promoting, and producing the match; or  
(ii) there is no person, group of persons, or any other entity, who is primarily 
responsible for organizing, promoting, and producing the match. 
 
 
SECTION 4. Creation of the Philippine Boxing and Combat Sports Commission. – To 
carry out the above declared policies, the Philippine Boxing and Combat Sports 
Commission is hereby created. The Commission shall be directly under the 
administrative supervision of the Office of the President. 


 
 
 
SECTION 5. Objectives. – The Commission shall have the following objectives: 
 
(a) Support the continued growth of professional boxing and combat sports in the 
country; 
 
(b) Encourage the discovery, training and development of world-class professional 
boxers and combatants; 
 
(c) Protect and enhance the welfare of professional boxers and combatants; and 
 
(d) In collaboration with the private sector, national government agencies, and local 
government units (LGUs), promote and make the country as an international/regional 
center for professional boxing and combat sports competition, training, convention, 
and tourism. 
 
 
SECTION 6. Composition. – The Commission shall be composed of five (5) members, 
as follows: 
 
(a) A nationally-recognized advocate for the development and growth of professional 
boxing and combat sports in the country, as Chairperson; 
 
(b) The Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH) or his/her representative, 
Member; 
 
(c) The Secretary of the Department of Tourism (DOT) or his/her representative, 
Member; 
 
(d) The Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) or 
his/her representative, Member; 
 
(e) A representative of the professional boxing and combat sports industry, Member. 
 
The representatives of the Secretaries of the DOH, DOT and DILG shall have a rank 
not lower than a Bureau Director and must have knowledge, experience or involved in 
sports medicine and/or health emergency management, tourism planning or 
convention management, and boxing and combat sports development, respectively. 
The DILG Secretary may opt to designate the president of the League of Provinces of 
the Philippines, or the League of Cities of the Philippines, or the League of 
Municipalities of the Philippines as his duly authorized representative to the 
Commission, in lieu of an official of the Department. 
 
The Chairperson and the representative of the professional boxing and combat sports 
industry shall be selected and appointed by the President of the Philippines from 
nominees submitted by the professional boxing and combat sports industry. 
 
SECTION 7. Term of office. – The Chairperson and the representative of the 
professional boxing and combat sports industry shall have a term of six (6) years and 
may be reappointed by the President of the Philippines. Any appointment to a 
vacancy in the position of the Chairperson or the representative of the professional 


 
 
boxing and combat sports industry that occurs before the expiration of the term shall 
be for the unexpired portion of the term only. 
 
The Chairperson and the industry representative may be suspended or removed by 
the President of the Philippines for just cause as provided by law.  
 
SECTION 8. Meetings and Quorum. – The Commission shall meet regularly once a 
month or as often as the exigencies of the service may demand, upon the call of the 
Chairperson or upon the request of at least two (2) members of the Commission. The 
vote of a majority of the entire membership of the Commission shall be necessary for 
the adoption of any rule, resolution, or decision. 
 
SECTION 9. Allowances and Per Diems. – The Chairperson and Members of the 
Commission shall be entitled to per diems, allowances and other reimbursable 
expenses as prescribed by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). 
 
SECTION 10. Powers and Duties of the Commission. – The Commission shall have 
the following powers and duties: 
 
(a) Formulate, initiate, plan, and implement a national policy for the growth of 
professional boxing and combat sports, and the discovery, training and development 
of professional boxers and combatants; 
 
(b) Formulate, promulgate, review, and update the rules and procedures in order to 
regulate professional boxing and combat sports, in conformity with international 
standards; 
 
(c) Establish rules, set requirements, and collect fees for the grant or renewal of a 
license to a professional boxer, combatant, coach, trainer, promoter, judge, referee, 
and other ring officials and personnel, and for the issuance of a permit for a 
professional boxing or combat sports match; 
 
(d) For violation of any rule or requirement, including the conditions for the issuance 
of a license or permit, impose administrative fines and penalties, including the 
suspension or revocation of a license or permit; 
 
(e) Act as a quasi-judicial body and, on its own motion or upon complaint of any 
interested party, initiate, hear, and decide any investigation for any violation of its 
rules and regulations and, in connection therewith, issue subpoena ad testificandum 
and subpoena duces tecum; 
 
(f) Determine and set safety standards, including the presence and availability of 
emergency medical personnel and services, in all professional boxing and combat 
sports matches in the country; 
 
(g) Establish a system of registration and licensing of boxers, combatants, referees, 
trainers, seconds, cut man and other ring officials and personnel; 
 
(h) Maintain an integrated registry of professional boxers, combatants, coaches, 
trainers, judges, referees, promoters and other ring officials and personnel; 


 
 
 
(i) Seek or request the assistance and support of any government agency, office or 
instrumentality, including government-owned or controlled corporations, LGUs as well 
as nongovernmental organizations or institutions in pursuit of its policies and 
programs; 
 
(j) Establish a consultative mechanism, which shall provide a forum for continuing 
dialogue between and among all stakeholders, in the implementation of all laws, 
policies, programs, and projects relating to professional boxing and combat sports; 
 
(k) Establish and maintain linkages with international boxing and combat sports 
organizations or institutions and counterpart agencies of foreign governments, 
including the hosting of international conventions and conferences, for the 
enhancement of standards and regulations on the conduct of professional boxing and 
combat sports matches, on facilities and equipment used therein, and the 
participation of professional boxers and combatants, particularly of Filipino 
professional boxers and combatants in international events; 
 
(l) Allocate resources for the implementation of national policies and programs related 
to professional boxers and combatants; 
 
(m) Submit an annual report on the implementation of this Act to the President and to 
Congress; and 
 
(n) Perform such other powers and functions as may be necessary to effectively and 
efficiently carry out the provisions of this Act. 
 
SECTION 11. Organizational Structure. – Subject to the approval of the DBM, the 
Commission shall determine its organizational structure and staffing pattern, create 
offices, divisions, or units as it may deem necessary, and appoint its officers and 
employees in accordance with civil service laws, rules and regulations. The 
remuneration structure for the positions in the staffing pattern shall strictly conform to 
Republic Act No. 6758, otherwise known as the "Compensation and Position 
Classification Act of 1989", as amended. 
 
SECTION 12. Executive Director. – The Commission shall have a full-time Executive 
Director who shall be responsible for implementing the policies, rules, regulations and 
directives of the Commission; the management of the Commission’s daily operations; 
and for coordinating and supervising the activities of the different offices, divisions, 
and units of the Commission. 
 
The Executive Director shall have a term of six (6) years and may be reappointed. He 
shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines upon the nomination of the 
Commission. 
 
The nominee to the Executive Director position must be of known probity and integrity 
and shall have nationally recognized experience and comprehensive knowledge in 
professional boxing and combat sports, and preferably has relevant experience in the 
management of a government regulatory agency, policy formulation, adjudication, 
and program and project delivery and management. 


 
 
 
SECTION 13. Physical, Medical and Neurologic Examination Requirements. – No 
person or entity can arrange, promote, organize, or produce a professional boxing 
and combat sports match without a physical, medical, neurologic and other diagnostic 
examinations being conducted on each participating professional boxer or combatant 
by a licensed physician, who is recognized by the Commission. The recognized 
licensed physician shall likewise certify that the professional boxer or combatant is 
physically fit to safely compete, in compliance with the requirements of the 
Commission. 
 
SECTION 14. Mandatory Rest Period. – There shall be an interval in which 
professional boxers and combatants can compete in boxing contests and combat 
sports matches, which shall be referred to as mandatory rest period. The duration of 
the mandatory rest period shall be determined by the Commission. 
 
SECTION 15. 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) Ambulance services, with appropriate equipment and competent personnel, shall 
be made available within the immediate vicinity of the ring by DOH-accredited 
ambulance service providers; and 
 
(c) A tertiary hospital is near the vicinity of the event. The absence of any of the 
aforementioned requirements shall be a cause for the non-issuance or the immediate 
cancellation of the permit to hold the professional boxing and combat sports match. 
 
SECTION 16. Social Pension and Health Care Benefits. – All professional boxers and 
combatants shall be enrolled with the Social Security System (SSS), Philippine 
Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), and the Home Development Mutual Fund 
(HDMF) or PAG-IBIG, and shall be entitled to all the benefits in accordance with the 
pertinent provisions of law. The enrollment of professional boxers and combatants 
with, and the remittance of mandatory contributions to, these government agencies 
shall be done by the manager of the professional boxer or combatant: Provided, That 
in case the professional boxer or combatant is not represented by a manager, it is the 
professional boxer or combatant who shall register and remit his or her mandatory 
contributions. 
 
The SSS shall develop and administer a separate social security program for 
professional boxers and combatants. This program, subject to actuarial studies, may 
have different contribution, pension, and other benefit schemes. 
 
SECTION 17. Exemption from Travel Taxes and Fees. – A three-man professional 
boxing or combat sports delegation, composed of the professional boxer or 
combatant, the promoter or manager, and the trainer, to any international competition 
shall be exempt from the payment of travel tax, airport tax and any other travel related 
taxes or fees now or hereafter imposed by law or regulation. 


 
 
 
SECTION 18. Alternative Livelihood Programs for Retired and/or injured Professional 
Boxers and Combatants. – The Commission, in coordination with various 
stakeholders in the professional boxing and combat sports industry, with the 
assistance of other government agencies and LCDs, shall establish or spearhead an 
alternative livelihood training program for retired and/or injured professional boxers 
and combatants. 
 
SECTION 19. Compensation of Professional Boxing and Combat Sports Officials. – 
All professional boxing and combat sports officials involved in any match shall not 
receive funds or compensation in any form, directly or indirectly, from the promoter or 
its agents. Such funds or compensation shall be coursed through and collected by the 
Commission for appropriate disbursement. 
 
SECTION 20. Professional Boxers and Combatants Welfare Development Trust Fund. 
– A Professional Boxers and Combatants Welfare Development Trust Fund is hereby 
established to complement the budget for welfare benefits and enhance and uplift the 
social and economic opportunities and conditions of present and former professional 
boxers and combatants, including, but not limited to, medical and health services; 
housing and livelihood assistance; and financial assistance for education and 
capability building/training. The Commission shall set the qualifications and 
requirements in the disbursement of the Trust Fund. 
 
It shall be administered by the Commission as a special account in any government 
bank. It shall be funded from administrative fines imposed by the Commission, and 
contributions in the form of endowments, grants and donations to the Trust Fund, 
which shall be exempted from donor and other taxes, charges or fees imposed by the 
government: Provided, that in cases of donations from foreign governments or other 
foreign institutions, acceptance thereof shall be subject to the approval of the 
President of the Philippines upon recommendation of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. 
 
SECTION 21. Transitory Provisions – Upon the organization of the Commission, the 
Boxing and Contact Sports Division of the GAB shall be abolished: Provided, That its 
powers and functions shall be absorbed by the Commission: Provided, further. That 
the officers and employees thereof shall continue in a holdover capacity until such 
time as the new officers and employees of the Commission shall have been duly 
appointed pursuant to the provisions of this Act. All qualified regular or permanent 
employees who may be transferred to the Commission shall not suffer any loss in 
seniority or rank or decrease in emoluments. Any employee who cannot be absorbed 
by the Commission shall be entitled to a separation pay under existing retirement 
laws. 
 
All other functions, appropriations, funds, records, equipment, facilities, and other 
assets of the GAB that are pertaining to the development and regulation of 
professional boxing and combat sports shall be transferred to the Commission. 
 
SECTION 22. Appropriations. – The amount necessary to fund the implementation of 
this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
 
SECTION 23. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within ninety (90) days from 


 
 
the start of the effectivity of this Act, the Commission shall, upon consultation with 
national government agencies, LGUs, and the different stakeholders in the 
professional boxing and combat sports industry, promulgate the implementing rules 
and regulations of this Act. 
 
SECTION 24. Repealing Clause. – All laws, presidential decrees or issuances, 
executive orders, rules or regulations, or parts thereof that are inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 25. Separability Clause. – If any part or provision of this Act shall be 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions hereof which are not affected 
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
 
SECTION 26. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
following its publication in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation  
 
Approved,