Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

‘Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
HB.No 5892 _

Introduced by Representative H. Harry L. Roque Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE
Republic Act No. 9147, also known as the “Wildlife Resources Conservation and
Protection Act,” provides that it shall be the policy of the State to conserve the country's wildlife
resources and their habitats for sustainability
According to a study conducted in the United States, the ethics of hunting involves the
consideration of fair chase, which allows the animal the opportunity to avoid the hunter. ‘The
study also showed that since exotic animals are clustered in a captive setting at unusually high
densities, these animals attract disease more readily than more widely dispersed native species
who roam freely. Thus, the transportation of captive exotic animals to commercial hunt
‘operations can facilitate the spread of diseases across great distances


This bill seeks to prohibit the transfer, transport, or possession of a confined exotic
animal, for the purposes of allowing the killing or injuring of that animal for entertainment or for

the collection of a trophy.”

H. HARRY L. GH y

"This bill was originally filed by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago in the Sixteenth Congress, Second Regular
Session.

2


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City
Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
HB.No._9892

Introduced by Representative H. Harry L. Roque Jr.

AN ACT
PROHIBITING CERTAIN CONDUCT RELATING TO EXOTIC ANIMALS

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION |. Short Title. — This Act may be cited as the “Exotic Animal Protection Act.”

SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act, the term:

(A) “Confined exotic animal” shall refer to “exotic species,” as defined under
Republic Act No. 9147 or the “Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act,” that has
been held in captivity, whether or not the defendant knows the length of the captivity, for the
shorter of the majority of the animal's life, or a period of one (1) year, whichever is lesser,

(B) “Captivity” does not include any period during which an animal lives as it would
in the wild surviving primarily by foraging for naturally occurring food: roaming at will over an
open area of not less than 400 hectares; and having the opportunity to avoid hunters; and

(C) “Secretary” shall refer to the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources.


SECTION 3. Transport or Possession of Exotic Animals for Purpose of Killing or
Injuring Them. — Whoever knowingly transfers, transports, or possesses a confined exotic
animal, for the purpose of allowing the killing or injuring of that animal for entertainment or for
the collection of a trophy, shall be punished by a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos
(P50,000.00), and imprisonment of not more than two (2) years. This provision shall not apply to
the killing or injuring of an exotic animal in a government natural area reserve undertaking

habitat restoration.

SECTION 4. Enforcement. ~ Any person authorized by the Secretary of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR) may:

(A) Without a warrant, arrest any person that violates this Act (including regulations
promulgated pursuant to this Act) in the presence or view of the arresting person;

(B) Execute any warrant or other process issued by an officer or court of competent
jurisdiction to enforce this Act; and

(C) With a search warrant, search for and seize any animal taken or possessed in

violation of this Act.

SECTION 5S. Forfeiture. - Any animal seized with or without a search warrant shall be
held by the Secretary, and upon conviction of the defendant, shall be forfeited in favor of the
government and disposed of by the Secretary, in accordance with law.


SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ Within sixty (60) days after the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to

implement this Act.

SECTION 7. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain

valid and subsisting.
SECTION 8. 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 accordingly.

SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause, - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,