Senator Kiko Pangilinan has called for the immediate approval of a proposed measure banning ticket scalping, warning that unchecked resale practices continue to inflate prices and restrict access for Filipino fans to concerts and large-scale events.
Pangilinan, who chairs the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, made the appeal as he sponsored Senate Bill No. 1989, which seeks to implement a nationwide prohibition on ticket scalping.
He described the proposal as a consumer protection measure designed to guarantee fair access to cultural and entertainment events.
“Kaya sa pagpasa ng batas na ito, ipinapakita natin na mahalaga ang patas na laban at may puwang ang bawat Pilipino na makasama, makapanood, at makibahagi sa mga sandaling nagbubuklod-buklod sa atin bilang isang bansa,” Pangilinan said in his sponsorship speech during the Senate plenary session on Tuesday.
The bill defines ticket scalping as the act of purchasing tickets without the consent of event organizers and reselling them at prices exceeding 10 percent above their original cost.
Liability would extend not only to individual resellers but also to groups and networks engaged in such activities.
Pangilinan emphasized that regulating the resale market would safeguard consumers while supporting artists and the events industry by fostering more stable revenues and deeper fan engagement.
“Dahil ang scalping ay hindi simpleng negosyo, ito’y sistematikong pananamantala,” he added.