A scalper who sold Olivia Rodrigo concert tickets for P23,000 each was apprehended by local police on Saturday outside the Philippine Arena.
According to Jonathan Andal’s report on “24 Oras,” Monday, the scalper is from Singapore and has previously sold admission tickets for shows.
The scalper has not been arrested, however, due to the lack of an ordinance against scalping in Bocaue, Bulacan.
“Lahat ng concert, pinupuntahan niya para kumita,” said Bocaue Chief of Police P/Lt. Col. Manuel De Vera. “Allegedly businessman.”
Killa Kush, an Olivia fan who bought two tickets from the scalper for P46,000, had to go to the police station first to pick them up before heading to the venue.
“Pagdating ko doon, andun siya kasama ‘yung mga police. Naka-off pa ‘yung cellphone niya. Tapos sabi ng police, sige, i-on mo na ‘yung cellphone. Tsaka ibalik mo ‘yung pera. So, binank-transfer niya ako ulit tapos binigay ‘yung tickets,” she said.
“Sobrang apologetic ng scalper na sabi ko, ‘sige, bayaran kita P1,500 for each ticket.’ So, P3,000. Pero sabi ng police, ‘Hindi, masama talaga ‘yung ginawa niya. Kasi binibenta ‘yung ticket na binili mo na to other people for 15,000 pa,'” she added.
She said the police advised her to get a full refund.
“Ang sinabi niya agad is willing naman daw siyang ibalik ‘yung payment para lang matapos na ‘yung issue. At hindi naman daw niya pinilit na bilhan o ibenta ‘yung kanyang tickets doon po sa kay madam,” De Vera said.
So far, only Quezon City, Pasay City, and San Juan City have ordinances against scalping.
Atty. Sherwin Tugna, the vice mayor of Bocaue, said they are planning to pass a similar ordinance in their municipality.
“Bukas pag-uusapan namin ito sa sangguniang bayan ng Bocaue to protect the consumers, to protect the Bukawennyos kahit na may risk na ma-question ang constitutionality nito,” he said.
“‘Yung State kasi hindi pwedeng mag-intervene between a buyer and a seller basta pareho silang nag-agree,” he added.
The concert, which is a part of Olivia’s “Guts” world tour, is a Silver Show with a flat rate of P1,500 for tickets. Net sales will go to Jhpiego, an organization providing healthcare to underprivileged women and girls in the Philippines.
Over 700,000 Filipino fans queued online when ticket selling opened last month.
—MGP, GMA Integrated News
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