PHILIPPINES Law and Practice Contributed by: Ignatius Michael Ingles, The Law Firm of Ingles Laurel Calderon
1. Regulatory 1.1 Anti-Doping
a period of up to six years. The sports govern - ing bodies or NSAs deal with integrity issues through their own internal disciplinary mecha - nisms and sanctions, without any prejudice to criminal prosecution by the state under PD 483. The Games and Amusements Board (the “GAB” ) is also tasked with investigating game-fixing in professional sports and meting out sanctions against erring players and coaches. Recent cases involve alleged game-fixing by players of a collegiate basketball team in 2019 and players in a professional basketball tour - nament in 2021. After investigation, the GAB revoked the professional basketball licences of the players involved in the 2021 incident. 1.3 Betting Sports betting is legal in the Philippines, as long as the sports betting activity or operation is reg - istered with the Philippine Amusement and Gam - ing Corporation (the “PAGCOR” ). Established by Presidential Decree No 1869 (as amended by Republic Act No 9487) the PAGCOR is a government-owned and controlled corporation which regulates gambling and sports betting. Would-be sports betting operators must secure a licence from the PAGCOR before starting their activities. Those who operate without a licence face sanctions and penalties. The sports governing bodies or NSAs typically follow the betting-related rules and guidelines of their respective international federations as regards betting-related offences of athletes. At the time of writing, there have not been any note - worthy betting cases in sports involving athletes
Doping is not a criminal offence in the Philip - pines. However, the use of World Anti-Doping Agency (the “WADA” ) designated substances of abuse is a criminal offence. The possession, use, sale and trafficking of cocaine, heroin, methyl - enedioxymethamphetamine and tetrahydro - cannabinol (cannabis/marijuana) are prohibited under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of the Philippines. On a related matter, doping may be argued to be prohibited under Presi - dential Decree No 483, which criminalises any fraudulent, deceitful, unfair or dishonest means, method or practice employed to influence the result of any sports contest. Doping can be seen as a dishonest means or method employed to influence the result of any sports contest. The national anti-doping organisation in the Phil - ippines is the Philippine National Anti-Doping Organisation (the “PHI-NADO” ). The WADA has accredited the PHI-NADO. The purpose of the PHI-NADO is to implement the WADA Code and spread awareness about anti-doping, which it does through educational programmes and co- ordinating with local national sports associations (NSAs). The Philippine Olympic Committee and NSAs are responsible for implementing anti- doping measures in their respective sports. Some recent noteworthy anti-doping cases involved cyclist Ariana Dormitorio (erythropoi - etin) and basketball player Justin Brownlee (Carboxy-THC) during the Asian Games in 2023. 1.2 Integrity Presidential Decree No 483( “PD 483” ) criminal - ises game-fixing, match-fixing, point-shaving and game machination in the Philippines. These offences are punishable with imprisonment for
and their sports governing body. 1.4 Disciplinary Proceedings
The sports governing bodies or NSAs have their own respective internal mechanisms and proce -
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