The House of Representatives under the leadership of Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez approved on second reading House Bill 4513 or the proposed “Anti-Game Fixing Act.”
It would prohibit and provide penalties for game-fixing, point-shaving, and game machinations in any sports competition.
Under HB 4513, violators, who resort to game fixing such as acts of point-shaving and game machinations, would suffer the penalty of imprisonment of three to six years and a fine of P1 million to P5 million.
The bill also proposes perpetual disqualification from participation in amateur and professional sports.
“The punishment has to be extremely severe as a deterrent, and to show the concerned sector, especially the youth, that this offense is being taken seriously.”
In his sponsorship speech, Committee on Youth and Sports Development Chairperson and Isabela Representative Faustino Michael Carlos Dy III stated that the punishment has to be extremely severe as a deterrent, and to show the concerned sector, especially the youth, that this offense is being taken seriously.
“Sports is about fair play. It is not a matter of winning at all cost by all means. It is about playing the game, or as the Olympic creed states, ‘It is not about winning, but taking part that counts in sports,” Dy said.
Principal authors of the measure are Dy and 1-PACMAN Party-list Representative Michael Romero.
Also passed on second reading was HB 6224, which would grant Philippine citizenship to Justin Donta Brownlee.
“He is an American citizen who, as an import, brought recognition and notable contributions to the Philippines.”
Romero said that he is an American citizen who, as an import, brought recognition and notable contributions to the Philippines, particularly in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
The veteran legislator also noted that since 2018, Brownlee has been consistent with his desire to become a Filipino citizen and make our country his permanent home.
The measure is authored by Romero. Deputy Speakers Aurelio Gonzales Jr. and Duke Frasco presided over the hybrid plenary session.
