FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
7 
JJ[> 18 
i ' 1 
First Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 11, Section 15 mandates the State to protect and promote the 
right to health of the people and to instill consciousness among them. 
Alcohol is by far the substance most widely used and abused by people in the country 
today. Even minors, who are supposedly prohibited from purchasing and drinking alcoholic 
beverages, are found to be alcohol dependents. 
People are not well informed about the hazards of alcohol use. This is understandable, 
owing to the fact that these advertisements of alcoholic beverages merely proclaim the soothing 
taste of these alcoholic drinks, other exhilarating effects on one's virility, but conceal the more 
important information that alcoholic beverages can actually do as much harm as illegal drugs do. 
Apparently, these advertisements are oblivious to medical findings that alcoholic beverages can 
actually produce greater risk of suffering from high blood pressure, liver disease and cancer. 
This bill seeks to infuse consciousness on the ill effects of alcoholic beverages by 
requiring that their advertisements should bear health warnings.' 
' This bill was originally filed during the Thilteenth Congress, First Regular Session. 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
7 
.Il.ii. 18 
Pi$ :* !’ 
First Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
S.B.No. 1291 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
REQUIRING ADVERTISEMENTS OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES 
TO BEAR HEALTH WARNINGS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of representatives in Congress of the Philippines 
assem bled: 
SECTION 
SECTION 
. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Sensible Advertising Act.” 
. Declaration of Policy. - It is a policy of the State to protect and promote 
the right of the people to health and instill consciousness among them. Pursuant to this policy, 
this Act seeks to instill consciousness about the deleterious effects of alcoholic beverages by 
requiring alcohol advertisements include bear health warnings of imbibing alcohol. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the term: 
(A) “Alcoholic beverage” includes any beverage which contains not less than one-half 
percent of alcohol y volume and is intended for human consumption; 
(B) “Secretary” refers to the Secretary of the Department of Health. 
SECTION 4. Health Warnings. - It shall be unfair or deceptive act or practice for any 
person to: 
(A) Advertise or cause to be advertised through magazines, newspaper, brochures, and 
promotional displays any alcoholic beverage unless the advertising bears, in accordance with the 
requirements in this Section, one of the following health warnings: 
GOVERNMENT WARNING: If you are pregnant, don’t drink. Drinking Alcohol during 
pregnancy may cause mental retardation and other birth defects. 
GOVERNMENT WARNING: Alcohol is a drug and may be addictive. 
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GOVERNMENT WARNING: Drive sober. If you don’t, you could lose your driver’s 
license or even your life. Alcohol impairs your ability to drive a car or operate 
machinery. 
GOVERNMENT WARNING: Don’t mix alcohol with over-the-counter, prescription, or 
illicit drugs. 
GOVERNMENT WARNING: If you drink to much alcohol too fast, you can die of 
alcohol poisoning. 
GOVERNMENT WARNING: Drinking increases your risks of high blood pressure, liver 
disease, and cancer. The more you drink, the more likely it i s  that you will have such 
health problems. 
(B) Advertise or cause to be advertised through radio, television broadcasting (including 
cable broadcasting and paid per view or subscription television), or other electronic means any 
alcoholic beverage unless the advertising includes, in accordance with the requirements of this 
Section, one of the following health warnings: 
GOVERNMENT WARNING: If you are pregnant, don’t drink. Drinking Alcohol during 
pregnancy may cause mental retardation and other birth defects. 
GOVERNMENT WARNING: Alcohol is a drug and may be addictive. 
GOVERNMENT WARNING: Drive sober. If you don’t, you could lose your driver’s 
license or even your life. 
GOVERNMENT WARNING: Don’t mix alcohol with over-the-counter, prescription, or 
illicit drugs. 
GOVERNMENT WARNING: If you drink to much alcohol, you can die from alcohol 
poisoning. 
GOVERNMENT WARNING: Drinking increases your risks of high blood pressure, liver 
disease, and cancer. 
SECTION 5. Requirements. - The health warnings required for alcoholic beverage 
advertisements by Section 4 shall be locate in a conspicuous and prominent place on each 
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advertisement, as determined by the Secretary of Health in regulations to take effect not later 
than 6 months after the date of the Effectivity of this Act. 
SECTION 6. Report. - If the Secretary finds than available scientific information would 
justify the change, addition, or deletion of the requirements prescribed in Section 4, he shall 
promptly submit a report to the appropriate committeek o Congress containing: 
(A) The information; and 
(B) Specific recommendations for such amendments to this Act as the Secretary 
detemiines to be appropriate and in the public interest. 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the la or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
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, 
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