Anti-ticket Scalping Act

Senate Office of the secrete TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 AUG 19 P3:04 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY: Senate Bill No. 1216 Introduced by Senator Erwin T. Tulfo AN ACT PROHIBITING EXPLOITATIVE AND DECEPTIVE PRACTICES IN THE BUYING AND/OR SELLING OF ADMISSION TICKETS, AND PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE The Philippines has experienced a surge in live entertainment events such as concerts, sporting events, and theatrical productions. Unfortunately, this trend has been accompanied by a rise in exploitative and deceptive practices in the ticketing industry, including the unauthorized resale of tickets at excessive prices, the use of fraudulent means to acquire tickets in bulk, and the proliferation of counterfeit tickets being sold online. Despite the growing public frustration over these practices, there remains no comprehensive national legislation specifically addressing ticket scalping and related abuses. Current legal remedies are fragmented, with a patchwork of local ordinances and general provisions in consumer protection laws failing to adequately deter or penalize these violations. This bill seeks to establish a clear national policy that prohibits exploitative and deceptive practices in the buying and/or selling of admission tickets. It defines and penalizes various forms of ticket scalping and fraud, while also recognizing limited exemptions such as

legitimate sponsorships and occasional resales at face value. In addition, it empowers the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in coordination with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to aid in enforcement, especially in monitoring platforms where these violations commonly occur. By enacting this measure, we aim to protect Filipino consumers, ensure fair access to tickets, and uphold the integrity of our entertainment and events industry. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. ERWINT. TULFO

Senate Ofice of the Scurclare TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 AUG 19 P3:04 First Regular Session RECEIVED BY: SENATE Senate Bill No. 1216 Introduced by Senator Erwin T. Tulfo AN ACT PROHIBITING EXPLOITATIVE AND DECEPTIVE PRACTICES IN THE BUYING AND/OR SELLING OF ADMISSION TICKETS, AND PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR 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 "Anti-

Ticket Scalping Act".

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to

5 protect the interests of consumers, promote general welfare, and uphold 6 fair and ethical standards in commerce and public dealings. The State • recognizes that abusive, exploitative, and deceptive practices distort 8 market integrity and undermine consumer trust. Towards this end, the State shall implement effective measures to safeguard consumers against fraudulent, unfair, and unconscionable practices in the sale and distribution of admission tickets and promote equitable access to entertainment events.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:

a) Admission Ticket refers to any document, item, or other form of access credentials, whether printed or digital, that grants the holder the right to enter or participate in an entertainment event; b) Entertainment Event refers to any activity, event, performance, exhibition, or gathering that provides amusement or recreation to the public. This includes, but is not limited to, concerts, sports competitions, theater performances, fan meets, religious gatherings, beauty pageants, film screenings, festivals, conventions, road shows, expos, and other similar undertakings wherein admission is regulated through the distribution or sale of admission tickets; c) Event organizer refers to any person who produces, coordinates, plans, manages, and executes an entertainment event; d) Face Value refers to the original purchase price of an admission ticket as determined by the event organizer; e) Official Ticketing Platform refers to the online or physical outlet designated or authorized by the event organizer to handle the legitimate sale of admission tickets; f) Purchase Limit refers to the maximum number of admission tickets a single consumer may legally purchase for a particular entertainment event; g) Resale refers to the act of selling or offering for sale any admission ticket that has already been purchased or acquired by another; and h) Scalping refers to any act of acquiring and reselling admission tickets through unauthorized, deceptive, or fraudulent means to derive personal or commercial gain.

SEC. 4. Prohibited Acts. - The following shall be prohibited,

whether committed in person or through online platforms: a) Unauthorized Resale at Excessive Prices. - Unauthorized reselling or offering for resale any admission ticket at a price exceeding its face value; b) Use of Fraudulent Means to Acquire Admission Tickets. - Using software, automated programming, bots, fake accounts, or false identities to gain unauthorized access to ticket inventories, bypass security measures, or circumvent purchase limits set by the event organizer or official ticketing platform; c) Misrepresentation of Authority. - Falsely representing oneself as an authorized ticket seller, agent, or representative of the event organizer or venue for the purpose of buying and/or selling admission tickets; d) Sale of Fraudulent or Invalid Tickets. - Selling or offering for sale fake, tampered, duplicated, expired, canceled, or otherwise invalid or unusable admission tickets; e) Bulk Purchases. - Acquiring admission tickets in large quantities exceeding the allowable purchase limit, whether personally or through coordination with others, for the purpose of hoarding, manipulating supply, and reselling for profit; or f) Obstruction of Legitimate Access. - Engaging in any act, scheme, or device that prevents the general public from obtaining admission tickets at standard or published prices through legitimate means.

SEC. 5. Other Prohibited Acts. - The following shall also be

unlawful: a) Selling or offering for sale admission tickets without indicating the corresponding face value on each ticket;

b) Knowingly aiding or abetting in the commission of any of the prohibited acts under Section 4 of this Act; or c) Attempting to commit any of the offenses enumerated under

Section 4, even if the prohibited act was not consummated.

SEC. 6. Exemptions. - The following shall not be considered

violations under this Act: a) The occasional resale of admission tickets by private individuals at or below the face value: Provided, that the number of tickets being sold does not exceed the set purchase limit, and such resale is not conducted in the ordinary course of trade or business; b) Distribution of tickets as part of legitimate sponsorship agreements, marketing promotions, or other legitimate activities authorized by the event organizer; or c) The organization of block ticket purchases for religious, charitable, or educational purposes.

SEC. 7. Duties and Responsibilities of Entities Engaged in the

Business of Ticketing, Event Production and Event Services - All entities engaged in the business of event ticketing, event production, or event-related services shall: a) Post visible notices against ticket scalping on all ticketing platforms, including websites, physical outlets, or other conspicuous places within their premises; b) Adopt and implement internal policies and safeguards to prevent ticket scalping and other fraudulent practices, including but not limited to verification of purchaser identity, imposition of purchase limits, detection and blocking of automated bots, and authentication of tickets;

c) Promptly report to law enforcement agencies any suspected violation of this Act committed through or in connection with their official platforms; and d) Cooperate with relevant government agencies in investigations or enforcement of actions related to violations of this Act.

SEC. 8. Enforcement and Implementation. - The Department of

Trade and Industry (DTI) shall serve as the primary implementing agency, in coordination with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). They shall be responsible for investigating, monitoring, and enforcing compliance with the provisions of this Act. They shall be authorized to receive complaints, conduct inspections or investigations, and file the appropriate charges before the proper court or tribunal.

SEC. 9. Penalties - The following penalties shall be imposed as

follows: a) For violations under Section 4: 1) For the first offense, a fine of One Hundred Thousand Pesos (PHP 100,000.00) or imprisonment of six (6) months, or both, at the discretion of the court. 2) For the second offense, a fine of Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (PHP 200,000.00) or imprisonment of one (1) year, or both, at the discretion of the court. 3) For third and subsequent offenses, a fine of Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (PHP 500,000.00), or imprisonment of three (3) years, or both, at the discretion of the court. b) For violations under Section 5: 1) For the first offense, a fine of Fifty Thousand Pesos (PHP 50,000.00).

2) For the second offense, a fine of One Hundred Thousand Pesos (PHP 100,000.00) or imprisonment of six (6) months, or both, at the discretion of the court. 3) For the third and subsequent offenses, a fine of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos (PHP 250,000.00) or imprisonment of one (1) year, or both, at the discretion of the court. c) If the offender is a corporation, partnership or any juridical person, the penalty shall be imposed upon the officers responsible for the violation.

SEC. 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety

(90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DTI, in consultation with the DICT, NBI, and PNP, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 11. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this

Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, the other parts or provisions thereof not so declared shall remain valid and effective.

SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, orders,

issuances, rules, and regulations or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect within fifteen

27 (15) days following its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,