TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 JUL -7 P1:38 SENATE Ri:: S. No. 226 Introduced by Senator FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN AN ACT PROHIBITING THE SELLING AND/OR BUYING OF ADMISSION TICKETS THROUGH UNAUTHORIZED SALES CHANNELS, PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE According to a study by Visa, a digital payments company, the "Philippines ranks 4h among the top concert spenders in the Asia-Pacific region." Said study, which involved an online survey in the Philippines, found that in the twelve (12) months prior to the survey, 38% of Filipinos have attended concerts (locally or overseas). India (45%), Vietnam (41%), and Indonesia (40%) ranked higher than the Philippines.2 Aside from concerts, Filipinos are also avid enthusiasts of sports and theater plays/musicals. This intense eagerness for live events translates into consistently high ticket demand, from blockbuster concerts that sell out in minutes to highly anticipated basketball and volleyball matches, and popular theatrical productions. This intense demand, unfortunately creates a hotbed for ticket scalping where individuals or 1 GMA News Online, Pinoys rank 4th among top concert spenders in Asia-Pacific. Published on February 17, 2024. Available at https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/hobbiesandactivities/897775/pinoys-rank-4th-among-top-concert-spenders-in- asia-pacific/story/. (Accessed on June 24, 2025). • Inquirer.net, Pinoys spending more on concerts, flying overseas to see fave artists. Published on January 7, 2024. Available at https://business.inauirer.net/43990Q/pinoys-spending-more-on-concerts-flying-overseas-to-see-fave-artists. (Accessed on June 24, 2025).
organized groups purchase tickets at face value and then resell them at exorbitant prices. Due to the eagerness of fans to see their favorite artists, teams, players or performers live, they fall prey to the exploitative practices of these unscrupulous individuals or groups since they are willing to pay a premium to secure these scarce tickets. Currently, the legal framework for ticket scalping is scattered across local ordinances, consumer protection statutes, the Revised Penal Code's fraud provisions, e-commerce, and cybercrime laws, which leads to inconsistent enforcement and unscrupulous practices that undermine the integrity of live events like concerts, basketball or volleyball games and theater performances. This proposed legislation will serve as a comprehensive national law explicitly banning ticket scalping. It aims to define and prohibit ticket scalping, impose stringent penalties to combat this practice, and ensure fair access of Filipinos to live events. In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. FRANCE ANGLIN Sengtor
: First Regular Session 25 JUL -7 P1:38 SENATE S. No. - Introduced by Senator FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN AN ACT PROHIBITING THE SELLING AND/OR BUYING OF ADMISSION TICKETS THROUGH UNAUTHORIZED SALES CHANNELS, PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
Section 1. 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 4 of conduct for business and industry. Towards this end, the State shall implement measures to protect the consumers 6 against deceptive, unfair, and unconscionable sales acts and practices.
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms.- As used in this Act, the following terms are defined
as follows: a) Admission Ticket refers to evidence of a right of entry to an entertainment event, whether printed or digital; b) Entertainment Event refers to any event, occasion, occurrence or activity that provides amusement or recreation organized by persons, which are open to the public and involves the distribution of admission tickets such as sports shows, concerts, stage performances, beauty pageants, festivals, road shows, fan meets or any similar undertakings;
c) Face Value refers to the price of the ticket set by the event producer or organizer or the original purchase price of an admission ticket; d) Resale refers to the act of selling admission tickets previously sold to someone else.
Sec. 4. Prohibition of Ticket Scalping. - The following acts shall constitute ticket
scalping, whether committed online or in person: a) Offering, hoarding, selling, distributing, buying, dealing in, disposing of or otherwise obtaining admission tickets for entertainment events, without the written permission from the authorized event producer, organizer and distributor, for the purpose of reselling for more than ten percent (10%) higher than the face value price of the ticket. Provided, that the ten percent (10%) increase or markup shall be subject to the periodic review and update by the implementing agencies; and b) Financing, managing, or operating ticket scalping activities.
Sec. 5. Other Offenses.- The following shall also constitute as offenses under
this Act: a) Offering or selling admission tickets for entertainment events without providing the face value price on each ticket; b) Selling admission tickets on any platform other than the authorized reselling platform; c) Willfully aiding or abetting in the commission of any of the offenses enumerated under Section 4; d) Willfully attempting to commit any of the offenses enumerated under Section
Sec. 6. Duties and Responsibilities of Entities Engaged in the Business of Event
Ticketing, Event Production, and Event Services.- Within ninety (90) days from the issuance of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of this Act, all entities engaged in the business of event ticketing, event production, and event services that organizes, sells, distributes or resells admission tickets shall post, publish or display digital and/or physical signages on their websites and on conspicuous places within their premises, warning against ticket scalping. In addition, these entities are also mandated to adopt, implement and enforce respective internal policy guidelines, prevention and reporting mechanisms on ticket scalping.
Sec. 7. Institution of Complaint.- The Department of Justice (DO), the
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through its relevant bureaus or attached agencies, and the Department of Interior Local Government (DILG), including all law 4 enforcement agencies, may institute a complaint for violation of this Act before the 5 appropriate court.
Sec. 8. Penalties.-
a) The following penalties shall be imposed upon any person found guilty of any act prohibited in Section 4 hereof: 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 fifty thousand pesos (Php 250,000.00) or imprisonment of one (1) year, or both, at the discretion of the court; 3) For the 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) The following penalties shall be imposed upon any person found guilty of any act prohibited in Sections 5 and 6 hereof: 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; 4) If the offender is a corporation, the penalty may, at the discretion of the court, be imposed upon such corporation and/or upon its directors, trustees, stockholders, members, officers, or employees responsible for the violation or indispensable to its commission.
Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations.- Within ninety (90) days from the
2 effectivity of this Act, the DILG, and DTI, in coordination with other relevant agencies, 3 shall promulgate the rules and regulations necessary for implementing the law.
Sec. 10. Separability Clause.- If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
5 unconstitutional, the remainder thereof not otherwise affected by shall remain in full force and effect.
Sec. 11. 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 10 accordingly.
Sec. 12. 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,