Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan called for the swift passage of his proposed anti-ticket scalping measure, warning that unregulated ticket reselling continues to exploit Filipino consumers and deny genuine fans fair access to major events. 

The senator and chair of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, which tackled the proposed measure, delivered a sponsorship speech for Senate Bill No. 1989 under Committee Report No. 51, on Tuesday, March 17. 

The bill aims to serve as a comprehensive national law explicitly banning ticket scalping. 

“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,” he said. “We urge our colleagues to support this measure and for its swift passage,” he added. 

Pangilinan explained that the bill will define scalping as buying tickets without the organizer’s permission and reselling them for more than 10% of the original price.

He also said that individuals and groups—not only the scalpers themselves—behind the scalping activities will be made accountable. 

“Dahil ang scalping ay hindi simpleng negosyo, ito’y sistematikong pananamantala,” he stressed.

Aside from protecting consumers’ rights, the senator said that an anti-scalping law will also protect artists and the government as they will benefit from “healthier direct revenues,” “stronger fan bases,” and “a more stable, revenue-generating events industry.”

Earlier, Pangilinan lamented how ticket prices for Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS World Tour were inflated from the flat rate of P1,500 to as much as P10,000 to P20,000 during resale.The country will host several local and international acts, including P-pop boy group SB19’s “Wakas at Simula” concert on April 18 and Korean sensation BTS’ comeback concert tour in March next year.