SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.NO. 2286 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
'14 
JUN 18 P 2 :39 
MANDATING PERSONS WHO SELL OR RENT VIDEO GAMES TO DISPLAY 
WARNING SIGNS INSIDE VIDEO GAME PREMISES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill aims to mandate persons who sell or rent video games to display warning 
signs inside their video game premises. Seizures caused by the brighuly flashing images 
in video games are more common than most people realize. They can happen even in 
people with no history of seizures. Most individuals with this type of visual sensitivity (a 
condition often called photosensitive epilepsy) have their first seizure before knowing 
they need to be careful around the flash, flicker, on-screen patterns, and intense colors in 
video games. 
As exposure keeps growing to increasingly sophisticated computer 
graphics, more ofthe population is at risk for seizures. 
A seizure is a burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Seizures can 
originate in a single location and involve a relatively small area (partial seizures), or they 
may involve the entire brain (generalized seizures). Some seizures are so subtle that they 
can easily go unnoticed by the person experiencing them or by anyone nearby. While the 
seizures themselves may not be noticed, the after-effects include disabilities that linger 
for days: difficulties with mood, focus, memory, learning, sleep, sensory perception, and 
other functions. 


, , 
Video games and other visual stimuli can trigger both types. Since partial seizures 
often are not recognized, it is important to know what the symptoms might be. 1 Thus, 
there is a need to display warning signs in video game premises to inform the players 
about the harmful effects of video games. 
~~ J~ 
MIRIAM DEF 
~R""'SANTItGO 
nJX' 
1 This bill is patterned after Senate Bill No. A00464 of the New York State Assembly. 
2 


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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
s.No.2286 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
·14 
JUN18 P2:39 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
AN ACT 
2 
3 
MANDATING PERSONS WHO SELL OR RENT VIDEO GAMES TO DISPLAY 
WARNING SIGNS INSIDE VIDEO GAME PREMISES 
4 
SECTION 1. Definition. - The term video game shall include any video game 
5 
system, video game cartridge, video game compact disc, video game digital versatile disc 
6 
or digital video disc, video game component, video game accessory, or video game 
7 
controller of any variety. 
8 
SECTION 2. Epilepsy Warning Sign - Any person who sells, offers for sale, rents 
9 
or offers to rent video games to the public shall display a sign or poster in a prominent or 
10 
conspicuous location within the area where such video games are sold or rented which 
11 
has printed thereon an epilepsy warning. Such warning shall be in letters of not less than 
12 
thirty point type and shall contain the following statement: 
13 
EPILEPSY WARNING 
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READ BEFORE USING YOUR VIDEO GAME SYSTEM 
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Medical research indicates a small percentage of the population may 
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experience epileptic seizures or seizure-like symptoms when exposed to 
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certain stimuli, including, without limitation, light patterns, flashing lights 
18 
or certain patterns of backgrounds on a television screen or video monitor 
19 
exposure to these stimuli while playing video games may induce an 
3 


, .' , 
1 
epileptic seizure or seizure-like symptoms in these individuals. Certain 
2 
conditions may induce undetected epileptic symptoms even in persons who 
3 
have no prior history of seizure or epilepsy. If you experience any of the 
4 
following symptoms while playing a video game ---
5 
1. 
Dizziness, altered vision, eye or muscle twitches, loss of 
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awareness; 
7 
2. 
Disorientation and involuntary movement or convulsions. 
8 
You are advised to immediately discontinue use and consult your 
9 
physician. 
10 
SECTION 3. Penalty. - Any person who violates any provision or any rule or 
11 
regulation promulgated to implement this provision shall be civilly liable for penalty not 
12 
to exceed fifty thousand pesos (P50,000) for each day during which such violation 
13 
continues. 
14 
SECTION 4. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid 
15 
or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
16 
remain valid and subsisting. 
17 
SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
18 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to 
19 
or inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended 
20 
accordingly. 
21 
SECTION 6. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
22 
its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
23 
Approved, 
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25 
26 
/dpm 
4