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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 13 states 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 fulfil their role in nation-building, the State must 
protect them from factors detrimental to their development and progress. 
The Commission on Population, in its State of the Philippine Population Report 2nd 
Edition, confirmed that almost 70% of our young people (ages 10-24 years old) have tried 
drinking alcof1ol. The percentage is high among the younger male adolescents (ages 10-19 years 
old) at 93%; for young females, the percentages are increasing from 54% in 1994 to 70% in 
2002. The report added that out-of-school or "idle" groups are more prone to drinking. 
In the United States, recent research revealed that by the time they reach the eighth grade, 
nearly 50 percent of adolescents in America have had at least one drink, and over 20 percent 
report having been "drunk". 
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 are also 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, 
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underage drinking is associated with an increased likelihood of developing alcohol abuse or 
dependence later in life. 
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. 2002 U.S. statistics show that 
minimum drinking age laws in the United States have proven to be effective in bringing down 
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fatalities from alcohol-related traffic accidents. 
Although socio-economic factors playa significant role in adolescent alcohol abuse and 
dependence, it is absolutely necessary for the State to initiate policies to curb alcohol 
consumption by minors. This bill seeks to nip this problem in the bud by prohibiting the access 
of minors to alcohol, penalizing establishments that sell alohol to them, and penalizing those who 
aid minors to gain access to such drinks. 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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AN ACT 
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PROHIBITING THE ACCESS OF MINORS TO ALCOHOL AND PENALIZING 
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ESTABLISHMENTS THAT FURNISH ALCOHOL TO MINORS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION I. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Anti-Underage Drinking 
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Act." 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy - The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in 
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nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and 
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social wellcbeing. Towards this end, the State shall uudertake efforts to eliminate alcohol abuse 
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and reduce uuderage drinking by prohibiting minors' access to alcohol. 
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SECTION 3. Definitions. -
For purposes of this Act, the term-
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(a) 
(b) 
(c) 
(d) 
"minors" - shall refer to one who is below 21 years old; 
"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; 
"alcoholic beverages" - shaH refer to liquor or brew containing alcohol as the 
active agent; and 
"establishment" - shaH refer to a place used for commercial purposes, such as 
bars, restaurants, dance clubs, hotels, retail stores, supermarkets, and other places 
with common business areas. 
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SECTION 4. Prohibited Acts - The following acts are prohibited: 
(1) 
The purchase of alcohol by minors from vendors or other sources. 
(2) 
'Purchasing or obtaining alcohol for minors. 
(3). 
Misrepresentation of one's age by presenting false identification or otherwise 
represent themselves as being ofIegal purchase age. 
(4) 
(5) 
Allowing the consumption or possession of any alcoholic beverages by a person 
under 21 years of age on an establishment's premises, no matter who purchased 
the alcoholic beverages or where they were purchased. 
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 furnish any alcoholic beverages at any time to a person under 21 years of 
age. 
SECTION 5. Penalties.-
(1) 
(2) 
(3) 
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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. 
Suspension of driver's license for those who pennitted unlawful or fraudulent use 
. of their license in connection with any of the violations listed above. 
Establishments that have violated any of the provisions of this law are subject to 
fines often thousand pesos (PlO,OOO) for the first offense and fifty thousand pesos 
(P50,000) for a repeated offense. Suspension or revocation of the license of repeat 
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offenders shall be recommended to the 'appropriate local government unit. 
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SECTION 6. Creation of the Anti-Underage Drinking Body. - A body tasked with 
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monitoring the enforcement of this law shall be created. It shall be composed of a chair and four 
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(4) members, who shall be appointed by the President. The body shall have the following powers 
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and duties: 
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(1) 
To monitor the enforcement and compliance with this law; 
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(2) 
To recommend the suspension or revocation of permits for erring establishments. 
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Such recommendations will be submitted to the mayor's office, at the licensing 
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office of the local government unit concerned; 
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(3) 
To refer cases to the Department of Social Welfare so that adequate assistance 
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and care may be given to the minor and the minor's parents; and 
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(4) 
To make an annual report to Congress on the enforcement ofthe law. 
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SECTION 7. Appropriations. - The amonnt necessary for the initial implementation of 
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this Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the Department of Social Work and 
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Development (DSWD). Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for its full implementation 
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shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act as a distinct and separate item. 
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SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision, or part hereof, 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 9. 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 is inconsistent 
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with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 10. 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, 
lacs 
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