Bill to establish boxing commission clears Senate after lengthy debate
MANILA, Philippines — After years of debate, the Senate on Monday unanimously approved on third and final reading Sen. Manny Pacquiao's first pet measure, which seeks to create a boxing and combat sports commission.
A five-year struggle
Senators voted to approve Senate Bill No. 2077, or the Philippine Boxing Combat Sports Commission Act of 2021, following lengthy interpellations earlier this year and even lengthier interpellations of an earlier version of the bill in 2017.
INTERAKSYON: Proposed new P150-M boxing commission faces uphill battle at Senate
Sen. Pia Cayetano, in particular, questioned the proposal's P150-million price tag, noting that the funds might be of better use allocated towards the government's pandemic response.
Cayetano, a triathlete herself and a vocal advocate of athletes in the legislature, also questioned creating a separate agency for boxers and other combat athletes when the Games and Amusements Board already performs similar functions.
She also noted that the P150 million sought by boxing icon Pacquiao was equivalent to the GAB's entire budget.
Before Cayetano, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon in 2017 grilled Pacquiao over the bill, which was filed as early as 2016. Drilon's interpellation of Pacquiao also saw the veteran lawmaker schooling the boxer-turned-politician on the basics of legislation.
READ: Drilon vs Pacquiao: Senators spar over proposed boxing commission
The bill passed in 2018 but did not become law and Pacquiao had to refile it in the 18th Congress.
What's in the bill?
The bill stipulates that the GAB's boxing and contact sports division will be abolished when the commission is formed, with its powers absorbed by the newly-formed agency.
Despite senators' prior concerns, funding for the new agency will be included in the yearly national budget. Pacquiao last week, however, accepted a proposed amendment from Cayetano that would allow the commission to accept donations from the private sector for the agency's welfare development trust fund.
The proposed measure lists the following objectives:
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Support the continued growth of professional boxing and combat sports in the country
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Encourage the discovery, training and development of world-class professional boxers and combatants
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Protect and enhance the welfare of professional boxers and combatants
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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
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