FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
10 Jut 21 
All :11 
SEN1727 
~.No. ___ _ 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
i, 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 16 provides: 
The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced 
and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. 
Our recent experience with theA(HIN1) virus spotlights how the quarantine orders of 
the Department of Health (DOH) were considered as mere "suggestions", to be followed only 
when it is convenient for one to do so. The DOH's advice for people who went on foreign trips 
to undergo self-quarantine was largely ignored. It is a good thing that the virus turned out to be 
not lethal in most cases. We may not be as unfortunate the next time a global pandemic occurs. 
With this bill, we will put teeth in our medical and public health authorities' orders and 
issuances. Quarantine orders spell the difference between life and death of millions of people. 
We must not make this public health mistake twice" 
• This bill was originally filed in the 14th Congress. 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
PENALIZING VIOLATIONS OF QUARANTINE ORDERS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Quarantine Violations. The following are considered acts constituting 
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violation of quarantine orders: 
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A.) Any person or persons who shall leave any pesthouse, or isolation hospital, or 
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quarantined house or place without the consent of the health officer having jurisdiction; 
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B.) Any person or persons who evades or breaks quarantine orders of the proper health 
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authorities; 
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C.) Any person or persons who knowingly conceals a case of contagious, infectious, or 
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communicable disease; 
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D.) Any person or persons who removes, destroys, obstructs from view, or tears down any 
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quarantine card, cloth or notice posted by the attending physician or by the health officer, 
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or by direction of a proper health officer. 
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SECTION 2. Penalty. Any violation of section 1 of this Act shall be punishable by a 
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fine of PI, 000, 000.00 and imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than 3 years. If 
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the violation of quarantine orders results in the infection of other persons, the penalty shall be P5, 
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000,000.00 and imprisonment of not less than 3 years but not more than 10 years. If the violation 
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of quarantine orders results in the death of one of those infected, the penalty shall be PI0, 
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000,000.00 and imprisonment of not less than 10 years but not more than 20 years. 
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SECTION 3. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or 
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parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or 
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modified accordingly. 
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SECTION 4. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
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following its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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