. 
, ,  
:
_
 
,Ug.q1::t ,,p ;. 
:,c:.%,t',,. , 
,"I 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Second Regular Session 
1 
9 FER 24 f t 3  ::o 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The noise level in our cities is rapidly increasing. This is due to heavier traffic and 
more powerful engines. On top of that there is a growing number of vehicles which are 
much louder due to the fact that their owners install or modify mufflers which can be 
heard from a kilometer away. 
The noise produced by these vehicles not only lowers the quality of life and work 
of the majority of people but also can result in permanent hearing loss for vehicle 
operators and people nearby (this includes unborn children, since noise penetrates the 
womb). At high levels this noise can result even in tissue damage (body parts and organs 
resonate and tissues can fracture at some low frequencies) leading to serious health 
problems. 
Vehicles with modified mufflers are highly distracting in traffic and can cause 
accidents since they mask sounds and agitate drivers. Loud sounds can affect hearing, 
vision, reaction time and judgment of drivers and nearby people increasing dangers 
significantly for everyone involved. 
This Bill seeks to regulate the modification of mufflers to increase noise emitted 
€ram a vehicles exhaust system in order to prevent excessive or unusual noise and 
annoying smoke. 
1 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 
32 
33 
e** 
~
.
.
 
. .:. ,, ..? 
.,/ 
OfTI,.,:<,>~. 
z > ~ - < , ’  . , 
.r’, 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Second Regular Session 
) 
9 FEE! 24 I? :lo 
SENATE 
S. No. 
~
~
~
~
~
9Y ’ ,.. / 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
PROHIBITING MODIFICATION OF MUFFLERS TO INCREASE NOISE EMITTED 
FROM EXHAUST SYSTEMS. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act may be known as the “Anti-tnufper 
ModGcation Act”. 
SECTION 2. Muffler Conditions. - Every motor vehicle shall at all times be 
equipped with a muffler in good working order, and in constant operation to prevent 
excessive or unusual noise and annoying smoke. 
The engine and power mechanism of every motor vehicle shall must be so 
equipped and adjusted as to prevent the escape of excessive fumes or smoke. 
SECTION 3. Prohibitions - A person may not operate a motor vehicle with an 
exhaust system that emits a noise in excess of 95 decibels, or modify the exhaust system 
of a motor vehicle in a manner that will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the 
engine of the motor vehicle in excess of the noise emitted by the muffler installed on the 
motor vehicle in the manufacturer’s original design. 
SECTION. 4. Penalties. - Any person who shall violate the provisions of this Act 
shall upon conviction, be subject to a fine of not less than Ten thousand pesos 
(Pl0,OOO.OO) but not more than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,OOO.OO) or imprisonment of 
not less than two (2) monlhs but not more than one (1) year, or both upon the discretion 
of the court. 
SECTION 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part thereof, is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
I 


34 
35 
36 
37 
accordingly. 
38 
39 
40 
41 
42 
Approved. 
SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, 
or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
SECTION 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
2