MANILA, Philippines — An independent lawmaker has filed a bill banning boxing tournaments and exhibitions in the country “in line with the policy of the State to promote sports for the development of a healthy and alert citizenry.”
Nueva Ecija Representative Eduardo Nonato Joson, whose other bills include those banning gun ownership among civilians and calling for the holding of a snap presidential elections this May, filed his boxing ban measure days after Filipino world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao won over Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez early this month.
If Joson had his way, boxers who participate in a bout for money or any other consideration shall be imprisoned for six months to six years and fined P200 to P6,000. If a boxer dies, the surviving pugilist shall be meted six years to 12 years in prison.
“Banning boxing contests and/or exhibitions as a form of public entertainment can put an end to needless deaths, injuries and most of all, put a death to the culture of violence prevailing in our society,” Joson said in his explanatory note.
Joson filed the bill on March 11. Copies of the bill made their way to the House of Representatives media center on Monday as Pacquiao returned to the country a conquering hero despite a disputed decision that made him the World Boxing Council super featherweight champion over Juan Manuel Marquez.
“The money and fame a few champion boxers get sends a wrong message to young people. Many young boys are thus lured to boxing because of the thought that entering the ring is a way out of poverty,” Joson said.
Joson’s bill also would penalize boxing promoters, event organizers, referees and judges with the same penalty of prision correccional or prision mayor if the boxing match results in a death.
He said the ban on boxing would exempt members of the Armed Forces or the PNP getting training for self-defense.
