Anti-ticket Scalping Act

Senate Ollite of the secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ĐEC 17 P6:07 SENATE RECEIVED BY: 1630 S. No. _ Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT PROHIBITING THE SELLING AND/OR BUYING OF ADMISSION TICKETS THROUGH UNAUTHORIZED SALES CHANNELS AND PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE Recently, the Philippines established itself as one of the top concert and event destinations in the world. Hundreds of globally and locally renowned artists and performers would hold concerts in different cities and venues to the delight of their fans and concert goers. In 2024 alone, at least one fifty-four (154) concerts are scheduled to be held in the country, while records show that revenue from music events rose from $27 million in 2017 to $32.8 million in 2018, drawing in a total of 2.13 million audiences. Consumers attend more concerts whether held locally or abroad. Based on the latest survey conducted by VISA, thirty-eight percent (38%) of Filipino respondents have attended concerts over the past twelve (12) months, both locally or overseas, coming in the top five in Asia Pacific after India (45%), Vietnam (41%), and Indonesia (40%). The rising popularity and prevalence of concert scenes reflect the upward trend of the recreational appetite of Filipinos which in turn helps drive the local economy. However, the increase of demand in events or performances and the surge of concert goers have also brought about a number of challenges, including the proliferation of ticket scalping or the practice of reselling admission tickets at an inflated or predatory price - undermining the consumers' right to fair access to entertainment scenes and encouraging price gouging. Currently, the prohibition of

scalping only exists in specific cities like Pasay City and Quezon City through local ordinances, leaving a notable gap at the national level. This bill seeks to impose prohibition on ticket scalping in the country. By providing regulations on purchasing and selling of tickets, this measure aims to protect consumers from exploitation and guarantee fair access to events of their favorite artists or performers. In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. MARK A. VILLAR

Senate difice of the Secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 DEC 17 P6:07 SENATE RECEIVED BY: 1630 S. No. _ Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR AN ACT PROHIBITING THE SELLING AND/OR BUYING OF ADMISSION TICKETS THROUGH UNAUTHORIZED SALES CHANNELS AND PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR Be 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 "Anti-Ticket Scalping

Act".

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State

to protect the interests of consumers, promote general welfare, and establish standards of conduct for business and industry. Towards this end, the State shall implement measures to protect the consumers against deceptive, unfair, and unconscionable sales acts and practices.

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

a. Entertainment Event - refers to any event, occasion, occurrence or activity that involves distribution of admission tickets such as sports contests, concerts, stage performances, beauty pageants, or any similar undertakings; b. Ticket Scalping - refers to the act of selling or disposing of, or buying and selling or in any other manner dealing in tickets for admission to an event without written permission from the rightful owner or authorized organizer and distributor of the event or the property where the event is taking place;

Sec. 4. Prohibition of Ticket Scalping. - The following acts shall constitute

ticket scalping, regardless of modes or manner of commission: a) Offering, hoarding, selling, distributing, buying, disposing of or otherwise acquiring admission tickets, including complimentary tickets, for an entertainment event obtained for the purpose of resale at an unreasonable, excessive, and unconscionable price other than printed or endorsed on the face of the ticket; and b) Financing, managing, or operating ticket scalping activities;

Sec. 5. Other Offenses. -The following shall also constitute as offenses

under this Act: a) Willfully aiding or abetting in the commission of any of the offenses enumerated under Section 4; b) Willfully attempting to commit any of the offenses enumerated under

Section 4.

Sec. 6. Duties and Responsibilities of Entities Engaged in the Business of

Event Ticketing, Event Production, and Event Services. - All entities engaged in the business of event ticketing, event production and event services, whether digital or brick-and-mortar, that organizes, sells, distributes or resells admission tickets shall post, publish or display digital and/or physical signages on conspicuous places within their premises, warning against ticket scalping. In addition, these entities are also mandated to adopt, implement and enforce their respective internal policy guidelines against employees, agents, or contractors engaged in ticket scalping or similar activities.

Sec. 7. Penalties. - The following penalties shall be imposed upon any

person found guilty of any act prohibited in Section 4 hereof: a) For the first offense, a fine of Fifty thousand pesos (Php 50,000.00) or imprisonment of six (6) months, or both, at the discretion of the court. b) For the second offense, a fine of One hundred thousand pesos (Php 100,000.00) or imprisonment of one (1) year, or both, at the discretion of the court.

c) For the third and succeeding offense, a fine of Two hundred fifty thousand pesos (Php 250,000.00) or imprisonment of three (3) years, or both, at the discretion of the court.

Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulation. — Within ninety (90) days from

the effectivity of this Act, the DILG and DTI, in coordination with other relevant agencies, shall promulgate the rules and regulations necessary for implementing the law.

Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid

or unconstitutional, the remainder thereof not otherwise affected by shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,

letters of instruction, proclamations, or administrative regulations that are inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

Sec. 11. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days

following its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,