SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENA1f203 
S.No. ___ _ 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
'send" 
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'13 AlIi -1 P4:58 
Graffiti vandalism is a serious problem that affects the entire country, and has a 
considerable impact on our public spaces. Research suggests that graffiti vandalism can create 
the perception in the public that "tagged" areas are unsafe, and can contribute to the deterioration 
of the quality of life in certain neighborhoods. 
Tagging and graffiti is not simply a nuisance activity. It is an invasion of private and 
public property that is intimidating and antisocial. The majority of the graffiti in our 
communities cannot be considered art. It is mindless scrawl that causes great financial and 
emotional costs that the perpetrators care nothing about. 
Graffiti vandalism is not only committed by bored individuals. It can have links to gang 
territoriality and other forms of juvenile delinquency that form the basis of future more serious 
offending. 
This bill prohibits any act of vandalism.' 
~\,. 4~ ... "", J~ 
(;Iff' MIRIAM DEFtfSOR S~TIf10 
, This bill was originally filed in the Fourteenth Congress, Second Regular Session. 
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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
"13 
All) -1 P 4:58 
SENATE 
S. No. 
1203 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
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PROHIBITING VANDALISM AND IMPOSING PENAL TIES THERETO 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shal1 be cited as the "Anti-Vandalism Act." 
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SECTION 2. Definition. - For purposes of this Act, "spray can" means a container (made 
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of any material or materials that-
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(a) contains paint, dye, ink, or some other pigment; and 
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(b) is so designed that the pigment it contains can be propel1ed from it (whether by a 
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compressed or liquefied gas, or by mechanical means). 
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SECTION 3. Graffiti Vandalism, Tagging, Defacing. -
A person is liable to 
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imprisonment of not less than one (1) year or a fine of not less than Ten Thousand Pesos 
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(PlO,OOO.OO), if he or she damages or defaces any building, structure, road, tree, property, or 
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other thing by writing, drawing, painting, spraying, or etching on it, or otherwise marking it-
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(a) without lawful authority; and 
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(b) without the consent of the occupier or owner or other person in lawful control. 
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SECTION 4. Sale of Spray Cans to People Under 18 Years of Age Prohibited - A person 
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who sells a spray can to a person under the age of 18 years is liable to a fine not exceeding Ten 
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Thousand Pesos (PlO,OOO.OO). 
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In any proceedings for an offence under this section, it is a defense if the defendant 
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proves that at the time when the spray can was sold to the minor, the buyer was enrolled at a 
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school or institution and the spray can was sold to the buyer to enable him or her to undertake the 
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work of his or her course at the school or institution, or to complete an assignment or project for 
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the school or institution. 
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SECTION 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part thereof is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
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valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
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with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 7. 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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