b. 
I 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
1 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
. .+. 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 
Introduced by SENATOR LUISA “LOI” P. EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution Article 13, Section 12 mandates the State to undertake 
appropriate health manpower development and research, responsive to the country’s 
health needs and problems. 
Breast implants have been widely suspected to increase the risk of a range of 
problems, including cancer, connective tissue disease, implant rupture and hematoma. 
Despite reports and conjectures showing adverse health impacts of breast implants, there 
are still women who consider having breast implants. 
Women need complete and accurate information about the potential health risks 
and advantages of breast implants, in order to Imow what to expect if they choose implant 
surgery. 
This bill seeks to promote research to identify and evaluate the health effects of 
breast implants, and to ensure that women and their doctors receive accurate information 
about such implants. 
In consideration thereof, early approval of this bill is highly recommended. 
LUISA “LOI” 
ESTRADA 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
First Regular Session 
1 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 
Introduced by SENATOR LUISA "LOI" P. EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
IDENTIFYING AND PROMOTING RESEARCH ON HEALTH IMPLICATIONS OF 
BREAST IMPLANTS 
Re it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assent bled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be lcnown as the "Breast Implant 
Research and Information Act." 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. -The Constitution Article 13, Section 12 mandates 
the State to undertake appropriate health manpower development and research, 
responsive to the country's health needs and problems. Taking into account this mandate, 
the State shall promote research to identify and evaluate the health effects of breast 
implants and to ensure that women and their doctors receive accurate information about 
such implants. 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms.- For purposes of this Act, the term: 
(a) 
(b) 
''Secretarytt shall refer to the Secretary of the Department of Health; 
"Breast implants" refer to implants filled with silicone gel saline or a 
combination of the two; 
'tConzmitteett refers to the Committee on Breast Implant Research. 
(c) 
SEC. 4. Breast Implant Research.- The Secretary shall conduct or support 
research to expand the understanding of the health implications of breast implants. Such 
research shall: 
a. 
if determined to be scientifically appropriate, include a multidisciplinary, 
clinical, case-controlled study of women with breast implants; 
iiivolve women who have had such implants in place for at least 8 years, 
focus on atypical disease presentation, neurological dysfunction and 
immune system irregularities; and 
b. 


c. 
evaluate to what extent if any, their health differs from a woman who has 
or has not had breast implant. 
SEC. 5. Committee On Breast Implant Researc . - To assist the Secretary in 
receiving accurate and complete information about the risks of breast implants, there 
shall be established a committee to be known as the Committee on Breast Implants, to 
ensure the strategic management, communication, and oversight of the policy formation, 
research and activities of the government regarding breast implants. 
SEC. 6. The Committee shall be composed of nine (9) members: - 
a. 
b. 
Two (2) representatives from the Department of Health; 
One (1) representative of any other agencies necessary to accomplish the 
purpose of the Committee; 
Four (4) physicians or practitioners with established credentials in the area 
of breast implants; and 
Two (2) women who have or have had breast implants to be appointed by 
the President of the Philippines. 
c. 
d. 
The Secretary shall act as the chair of the Committee. He shall convene meetings 
of the Committee, not less than twice each year, and compile information for the 
consideration of the fLill Committee at such meetings. 
SEC. 7. Meetings.- The meetings of the Committee shall be open to the public 
and public witnesses shall be given the opportunity to speak and make presentations at 
such meetings. Each member shall make a presentation to the full Committee at each 
meeting concerning the activities conducted by such member. 
SEC. 8. Term of Office. - Members shall be appointed by the Secretary for a term 
of three (3) years. Of those first appointed, three (3) members shall serve for three (3) 
years, three (3) members for two (2) years, and the last three (3) members for one (1) 
year. 
Any vacancy in the membership of the Committee shall be filled in the same 
manlier as the original appointment. 
Any member of the Comrriittee may be removed for cause in accordance with 
procedures established by the Committee. 


SEC. 9. Functions. - The Committee shall have the following ftmctions: 
a. 
advise the Secretary on appropriate research activities to be undertaken by 
the Office with respect to research on the health impacts of breast 
implants; 
report to the Secretary on such research; 
provide recommendations to the Secretary regarding activities of the 
Committee; 
prepare a report regarding the activities of the Committee; 
b. 
c. 
d. 
e. 
ensure that materials concerning breast implants provided by the 
Department are available, up to date, and responsive to reports of 
problems with breast implants, and that timely aggregate data concerning 
such reports shall be made available to the public upon request and 
consistent with existing confidentiality standards. 
SEC. 10. 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 research shall be 
included in the annual appropriation of the Department of Health. 
SEC. 11. Separability Clause.- If any provision, or part hereof is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
remain valid and subsisting. 
SEC. 12. 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. 
SEC.13. 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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