Ticket scalping concerns were raised ahead of the do-or-die Game 3 of the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball finals between the De La Salle University Green Archers and the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons last 15 December 2024, which the latter eventually won 66-62.
Social media comments indicated that fans might face difficulties securing tickets for Game 3 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, as many tickets were reportedly taken by scalpers in Game 1.
This has prompted Senator Mark Villar has filed Senate Bill No. 2873, or the Anti-Ticket Scalping Act, which seeks to address the issue of reselling event tickets at inflated prices.
"Inihain po natin ang panukalang batas na ito upang matigil na o masugpo ang lumalalang scalping sa bansa na sumasamantala ng ating mga kababayang concert goers o avid fans," said Villar in a statement.
"Hindi na po makatuwiran ang pagpapatong ng di makataong halaga sa mga concert at events ticket ng mga scalper na ito."
The bill aims to target scalpers who resell tickets for more than 10 percent above their original face value without authorization. Senator Villar has proposed penalties, including fines ranging from PhP 100,000 to PhP 500,000 and imprisonment of up to three years for repeat offenders.
Even corporate entities are not exempt, as company officers and employees involved in scalping could also face charges.
In addition to regulating resale prices, the bill mandates that sellers display the ticket’s face value price during the sale process, whether online or in person. Failure to do so could result in fines of up to PhP 250,000.
Ticket scalping has become a rampant issue, particularly in UAAP games, where scalpers sell Patron tickets for PhP 7,500, Lower Box tickets for PhP 5,000, and Upper Box tickets for PhP 1,500. In contrast, the official prices listed on the MOA Arena website were PhP 400 for Patron, PhP 300 for Lower Box, and PhP 200 for Upper Box.
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