THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
r 
5 iil:r i i 
3, 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Second Regular Session 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 13 provides that: 
The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall 
promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well- 
being, It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage 
their involvement in public and-civic affairs. 
To ensure that our nation’s youth would hlfill their role in nation-building, the State 
must protect them from factors detrimental to their development and progress as Filipino 
citizens. 
Our Commission on Population, in its State of the Philippine Population Report 2’Id 
Edition, confirmed that almost 70% of our young people (aged 10-24) have tried drinking 
alcohol. The percentage is high among the younger male adolescents (10-19 years old) at 93%; 
for young females, the percentages are increasing - 54% in 1994 and 70% in 2002. The report 
added that out-of-school or “idle” groups are more prone to drinking. 
Apart from being illegal, underage drinking poses a high risk to both the individual and 
society. Adolescent alcohol abuse has also been linked to drunk driving, suicide, sexual assault, 
and unprotected or high-risk sex. 
Adolescents also are vulnerable to alcohol-induced brain damage, which could contribute 
to poor performance at school or work. Medical studies show that exposing the brain to alcohol 
during the period of adolescence may interrupt key processes of brain development, possibly 
leading to mild cognitive impairment as well as to further escalation of drinking. In addition, 
youthful drinking is associated with an increased likelihood of developing alcohol abuse or 
dependence later in life. 


On the other hand, American health authorities declare that a child who reaches age 21 
without smoking, abusing alcohol or using drugs is virtually certain never to do so. Minimum 
drinking age laws in the United States have proven to be effective primarily in bringing down 
fatalities from alcohol-related traffic accidents, saving 21,887 lives since 19’75, according to their 
2002 statistics. 
Although socio-economic factors play a significant role in adolescent alcohol abuse and 
dependence, it is absolutely necessary for the State to initiate policies to curb alcohol 
consumption of minors. This bill seeks to nip this problem in the bud by prohibiting the access 
of minors to alcohol and the establishments that sell them. 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
5 ClCT 13 
” 
’1 
Second Regular Session 
) 
S.B. SEN2T4 
No. 
2 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
REGULATING THE ACCESS OF MINORS TO ALCOHOL 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assenzbled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This act shall be known as the “Anti-Underage Drinking 
Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in 
nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and 
social well-being. Towards this end, the State shall undertake efforts to eliminate alcohol abuse 
and reduce underage drinking by regulating minors’ access to alcohol. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the term: 
(a) “Minors” - shall refer to one who is below 18 years old; 
(b) “Alcohol” - shall refer to ethyl alcohol, ethanol, or spirits of wine including 
all dilutions, purifications and mixtures thereof, from whatever source by whatever 
process produced and shall include whisky, brandy, rum, gin, tequila, and vodka and 
other similar products or mixtures. 
It shall also include malt beverages, mixed or 
fermented liquors, including tuba, basi, tapuy, and lambanog; 
(c) “Alcoholic beverages” - shall refer to liquor or brew containing alcohol as the 
active agent. 
SECTION 4. Prohibited Acts. - The following acts are prohibited: 
(a) Purchase of alcohol by minors from vendors or other sources 
(b) Purchasing or obtaining alcohol for minors. 


(c) Misrepresentation of one’s age by presenting false identification or otherwise 
representing themselves as being of legal purchase age. 
(d) Dispensing by any establishment of alcoholic beverages to permit the 
consumption or possession of any alcoholic beverages by a person under 18 years of age 
on its premises, no matter who purchased the alcoholic beverages or where they were 
purchased. 
(e) Selling, giving, or otherwise providing alcohol to minors by an establishment 
which is licensed to sell alcoholic beverages, or for any employee of that licensee, to sell 
or hrnish any alcoholic beverages at any time to a person under 18 years of age. 
SECTION 5. Penalties. - 
(a) Any minor who has violated any of the provisions of this act shall be required 
to render community service. Community service may consist of such acts as being 
required to appear before school groups to explain the dangers of alcohol abuse. The 
objective is to require the offenders to provide services that benefit society in a more 
constructive way and introduce the idea of ethical action into the value system of the 
perpetrator. Such minor shall then be committed to the care of his father or mother, or 
nearest relative or family friend or the proper rehabilitation facility if so required. 
(b) Suspension of driver’s license for those who permitted unlawful or fraudulent 
use of their license in connection with any of the violations listed above. 
(c) Establishments that have violated any of the provisions of this law are subject 
to a fine of P5,OOO for the first offense and P10,OOO for a repeated offense. Suspension or 
revocation of the license of repeat offenders shall be recommended to the appropriate 
office of the local government unit concerned. 
SECTION 6. Creation of the Anti-Underage Drinking Body. - A body tasked with 
monitoring the enforcement of this law shall be created. It shall be composed of a chair and four 
(4) members, who shall be appointed by the President. 
The body shall have the following 
powers and duties: 
(a) To monitor the enforcement and compliance with this law; 


(b) To recommend the suspension or revocation of permits for erring 
Such recommendatioiis will he submitted to the mayor’s office, at the 
establishments. 
licensing office of the local government unit concerned; 
(c) To refer cases to the Department of Social Welfare so that adequate assistance 
and care may be given to the minor and the minor’s parents; and 
(d) To make an annual report to Congress on the enforcement of the law. 
SECTION 7. Appropriations. - To carry out the provisions of this Act, such amount as 
may be necessary is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National Treasury. 
Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continuous operation of the Anti-Underage Drinking 
Body shall he included in the annual appropriation of the DSWD. 
SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 10. EfSectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,