, .,, L 
OFF&,;: ; , 
I
,
 , . i:, ’ # ’  
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 
3259. 
i’. ..*, . , . ? V i  
(*.:, 
$$:,,J 
>V>.. 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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 as Filipino citizens such 
as alcohol abuse and dependence. 
In United States, recent research revealed that three out of five American teenagers have 
consumed alcohol on at least one day during the past month. 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”. Approximately 20 percent of 8th graders and almost 50 
percent of 12th graders have consumed alcohol within the past 30 days. 
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. 
1 


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 by minors. This bill seeks to nip this problem in the bud by prohibiting young 
Filipinos access to alcohol, penalize establishments that sell to them and those who aid minors 
gain access to such drinks. 
2 


11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Second Regular Session 
1 
f$E<y<\/fq"> 
pv 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
TO PROHBIT THE ACCESS OF MINORS TO ALCOHOL AND PENALIZING 
ESTABLISHMENTS THAT FURNISH ALCOHOL TO MINORS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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. Dejnitions. - - 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 a liquor or brew containing alcohol 
as the active agent. 
SECTION 4. Prohibited Acts - The following acts are prohibited: 
1 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
21 
A. The 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 
represent themselves as being of legal purchase age. 
SECTION 5. . Penalties. - 
A. Community Service - 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 fines up to P 5,000 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 
local government unit. 
SECTION 6. Creation of the Anti-Underage Drinking Body. - A body tasked with 
Its chair and members shall be 
monitoring the enforcement of this law shall be created. 
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 €or erring establishments. 
Such recommendations will be submitted to the mayor’s office. 
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 
2 


1 
D. To make an annual report to Congress on the enforcement of the law. 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
SECTION 7. Appropriations. -The amount necessary for the initial implementation of 
this Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the Department of Justice under the 
current General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for its full 
implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act as a distinct and 
separate item. 
SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or 
unconslitutional, the remainder of the law 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 order, rule or regulation contrary to or is inconsistent 
with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
lacs 
3