Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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. 
August 3, 2023
2:05 pm
8762


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH 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 the 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”. 
Sec. 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. 
8762


 
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. 
 
Sec. 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: 
(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. 
 
 
Sec. 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 shalll be directly under the 
administrative supervision of the Office of the President. 
 
Sec. 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. 
 
 
Sec. 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 shalll 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. 
 
Sec. 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.  
 
Sec. 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. 
 
Sec. 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). 
 
Sec. 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. 
 
Sec. 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. 
 
Sec. 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. 
 
Sec. 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. 
 
Sec. 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. 
 
Sec. 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. 
 
Sec. 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. 
 
Sec. 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. 
 
Sec. 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. 


 
 
Sec. 19. Compensation of Professionall 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. 
 
Sec. 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. 
 
Sec. 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. 
 
Sec. 22. Appropriations. – The amount necessary to fund the implementation of this 
Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
 
Sec. 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. 
 
Sec. 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. 
 
Sec. 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. 
 
Sec. 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,