Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

5798

Introduced by HON. AMADO S. BAGATSING

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘This bill seeks to establish and provide a welfare mechanism for Philippine
boxers in acknowledgement and gratitude for all the efforts they have made in giving
honor to the country. No less than the 1987 Constitution, particularly Article 2,
Section 17, provides that:

“The State shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts,
culture and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social
progress, and promote total human liberation and development.”

In giving due recognition to these boxers, this Act seeks to institute a system
of welfare protection for professional boxers including athletes in the Olympics
participating in boxing sports.

Recently, a young Filipino boxer, Karlo Maquinto, was brought to the
medical center in West Fairview in an ambulance after figuring in an eight round
majority draw, when he suddenly collapsed on the mat after the fight, and was
declared dead after a few days in comatose. This was not the first time the country has
experienced such tragedy. Few years back, the Mandaue City government has
extended a nce to boxing champion Z Gorres who was in coma at a hospital in
Las Vegas after he collapsed in the ring after winning the bantam weight di
fight.

‘These two boxers, who suffered injury during and after the fight, have brought
miseries not only to themselves but to their families as well. Though their promoters
have extended assistance to their medical needs, yet these were not enough in as much
as these boxers were the bread winners of their families and therefore a welfare
mechanism is in imperious need.

In view thereof , approval of this bill is urgently requested.

won ING


Republic of the Phili
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 5793

Introduced by REP. AMADO S. BAGATSING

AN ACT
TO PROVIDE A WELFARE MECHANISM FOR PHILIPPINE BOXERS,
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE 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 “Boxer’s Welfare
Act of 2012.”

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
promote and encourage sport boxing programs to attain excellence and competitiveness.
To this end , it shall promote and establish welfare mechanism to our boxers in
acknowledgement and gratitude they have made in giving honor to the country.

Sec. 3. Compulsory Insurance Coverage. ~ Upon the passage of this Act,
Filipino international boxers shall be automatically enrolled and may thereafter avail the
health services under National Health Insurance Act: In case of professional boxers they
shall become members of Social Security System (SSS) and Pag-Ibig Fund, subject to
existing laws.

Likewise, promoters of professional boxers shall also insure their boxers against
accidents or other risks before any bout or event shall take place.

Sec. 4. Scholarship grants. — The scholarship grants shall be extended to
children of international boxing champions or medalist in the Olympic bout. Provided,
that the grant shall extend to tertiary level of education but not to post graduate studies. It
shall extend until the completion of the entitled child even if he reaches the age of
majority;



See. 5. Establishment of Databank and Registry. — There is hereby established
a databank and registry of all Filipino international boxing champions and medalist in
Olympic bout which shall be administered by the Games and Amusement Board (GAB).
It shall include basic identification to include their immediate families, financial status,
medical and boxing record information;

See. 6, Donations, Grants and Contributions. — In order to obtain the objectives
of this Act, any donations, grants, contributions in cash or in kind coming from domestic
or foreign source, the GAB is hereby authorized to accept as such and shall be exempt
from any taxes subject to existing laws on donations and contributions,

ns. — The sum of Fifty Million Pesos (PS0,000,000.00)
necessary for the initial implementation of this Act is hereby charged to the
appropriations and thereafter such amount needed for its implementation shall be
included in the annual budget of the GAB.

Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Games and Amusement
Board in consultation with the various stakeholders in the boxing industry, shall within
ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the necessary rules and
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

See. 9. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act or any part hereof be
declared, unconstitutional or invalid the remainder of this Act or any provision not
affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

See. 10. Repealing Clause. ~ All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations,
rules and regulations or part thereof, which are inconsistent with any provision of this Act
are hereby repeled or modified accordingly.

See. 11. Effectivity. ~ This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two newspapers of general
circulation).

Approved.