FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENtfBs 
S.No. ___ _ 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article II, Section 13 provides that: 
SEC. 13. The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-
building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, 
spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the 
youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement 
in public and civic affairs. 
,- "') 
All over the world, thousands of children die each year in motor vehicle accidents, the 
leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 14 and younger. Current 
law requires children younger than six years of age to be properly secured in a child passenger 
safety seat system during the operation of a motor vehicle and not to be seated in the front 
passenger's seat. This bill increases the age and introduces a height requirement relating to the 
restraint of children during the operation of a motor vehicle to younger than eight years of age, 
unless the child is taller than four feet and nine inches in height. ' 
• This bill was originally filed during the Thirteenth Congress, First Regular Session. 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENtfas 
S.No. ___ _ 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
\) 
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AN ACT 
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AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8750, ALSO KNOWN AS THE SEAT BELTS 
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USE ACT OF 1999, SECTIONS THREE AND FIVE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION I. Section 5 of Republic Act No. 8750, as amended, otherwise known as the 
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Seat Belts Use Act of 1999, is hereby amended to read as follows: 
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"SECTION 5. [Children Prohibited to Sit in Front Seat] Special 
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Protection for Child Passengers. - Infants and/or children with ages [six (6)] 
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EIGHT (8) years and below shall be prohibited to sit in the front seat of any 
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running motor vehicle UNLESS THE CHILD IS T AI;LER THAN FOUR FEET 
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NINE INCHES. THE USE OF SPECIAL CAR SEATS OR CHILD RESTRAINT 
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SYSTEMS FOR INF ANTS/ CHILDREN LESS THAN EIGHT (8) YEARS 
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SHALL BE MANDATORY IF THE CHILD IS NOT ACCOMPANIED BY AN 
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ADULT IN THE BACKSEAT. IN THE CASE OF MOTOR VEHICLES 
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WITHOUT BACKROW SEATS, CHILDREN AGES EIGHT (8) YEARS AND 
IS 
BELOW MAY BE SEATED IN THE FRONT SEAT, PROVIDED THAT, THE 
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VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM THAT IS 
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MANUFACTURED AND CRAFTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE 
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INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTABLE INDUSTRY STANDARDS. IN ALL 
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CASES, THE PROVISION FOR AND INSTALLATION OF THE CHILD 
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RESTRAINT SYSTEM SHALL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE 
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VEHICLE OWNER." 
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SECTION 2. Section 3 paragraph (h) is hereby added to read as follows: 
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"SECTION 3. (h). "CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM' SHALL REFER TO 
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BEDS FOR BABIES, SEATS FOR INFANTS AND SEATS FOR SCHOOL 
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CHILDREN." 
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SECTION 3. Repealing Clause. - Section 5 of Republic Act No. 8750, otherwise known 
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as the Seat Belts Use Act of 1999, and all laws, acts, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
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administrative orders, rules and regulations inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this 
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Act are deemed amended, modified or repealed accordingly. 
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SECTION 4. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
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valid and SUbsisting. 
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SECTloN 5. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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