Kiko Pangilinan calls for probe of scalpers at 2NE1’s PH concert

2NE1 members (from left) Dara, CL, Bom, and Minzy. Image: Instagram/@chaelincl

Ticket scalpers of K-pop group 2NE1‘s upcoming two-day Manila concert in November has caught the attention of returning senatorial aspirant Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, who said the rampant unlawful ticket resale should be investigated.

2NE1 will hold their “Welcome Back” reunion concert at the Mall of Asia Arena on November 16 and 17. Tickets were sold to the public earlier this month, with both dates being declared as sold out.

The happy reunion with the “Pambansang Krung-Krung” Sandara Park, who is now known in Korea as Dara, as well as her bandmates, was marred by reports of scalpers reselling tickets at exorbitant prices, which Pangilinan wanted to have investigated, saying such acts are tantamount to “swindling.”

“Many Filipino concertgoers have been duped by scalpers and this upcoming concert of the 2NE1 is another chance for scalpers to swindle our countrymen. And because ticket selling is now online, the use of AI or bot scalpers needs to be investigated too,” he said.

Nanawagan tayo na imbestigahan ang mga scalper sa nalalapit na concert ng KPop girl group na 2NE1. pic.twitter.com/pd5k0hjlnH

— Kiko Pangilinan (@kikopangilinan) October 21, 2024

According to Pangilinan’s camp, tickets to 2NE1’s reunion show are sold by scalpers for an average of P38,000 to P40,000, even though the VIP soundcheck and send-off sections cost only P16,500.

The former senator also cited the recent “Silver Star” show of singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo at the Philippine Arena, wherein scalpers allegedly sold tickets for P10,000 to P23,000. Rodrigo previously announced that tickets for her show in the Philippines will have a flat rate of P1,500.

“Scalping is essentially fraud. Fans queue up for tickets in real life or online only to find out that there are no more tickets or that the tickets are sold at much higher prices. It’s a disservice to fans,” he said.

Aside from concertgoers, Pangilinan said ticket scalpers are a disservice to the artists themselves, as many fans are willing to shell out money and travel far distances to see their favorite acts.

“Scalping also put artists at a disadvantage if their fans are either unable to watch them, or have been victimized by scalpers. That’s why some go abroad to watch concerts, foregoing revenues that the Philippines should have earned,” he further said.

The Philippines has yet to implement an anti-scalping law nationwide although the cities of Pasay, Quezon, and San Juan have ordinances against scalping.

While concert promoters would urge fans to buy concert tickets from official sites, the lack of an anti-scalping law increases the risk of scalpers on multiple platforms across the country.

With this in mind, Pangilinan stressed that the proposal of an anti-scalping law would help them “maintain control over the distribution of tickets” and maintain a “better reputation.”

2NE1 is composed of CL, Bom, Dara, and Minzy, and they debuted in May 2009. Eight years after their disbandment, the group returned to YG Entertainment, and are currently holding their “Welcome Back” tour.

The female quartet is best known for their hit songs “I Am The Best,” “Fire,” “Can’t Nobody,” “I Don’t Care,” “Come Back Home,” “Go Away,” and “Can’t Nobody,” among many others.