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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPrNES 
1 
First Reguler Session 
1 
S E N A T E  
S B No 
, 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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EXPLLANATORY NOTR 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section I5 maildates the State to protect and promote 
the right to henltli of the people mtl to instill Iiealtll consciousniss among them. 
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Alcohol is by h r  Ihe substance niost widely tised and abiised by people in the 
coiintiy today. Even minors, who are sripposedlp proliibitecl froin ~iiirchnssing and drinking 
nlcoholic beverages, are found to be alcohol tlepenclents. 
People we ndt well informed about the hazarc!s 
of alcohol use. This. is 
understmdnble, owing to tlie fact that these advertisetnetlts of nlcoholic beverages merely 
proclaim the soothing taste of these dcoholic drinks, or their exhilarating effects on one's 
virility, but conceal tlie more iniportant infonnation th& alcoholic beverages can actually 
do such harm a8 other tlnigs do. Apparently, Ihese atlvertisemeilts are oblivious to inetlical 
fiiicliiigs that alcoholic beverages C ~ R  
achmlly prorl~rce greater risk of'mrfering .torn lligll 
blood pressiire, liber tlise;ise;arld cancer. 
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This bill seeks to infiise consviousness on the ill eEects oi'alcollolic beverages by 
requiring that their atlvertisements dioultl bear health warnings. 
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MIRLAM DEFENSOR SANTIAG 


c 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
:*I 
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BY : 
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1 
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S E N A T E  
S. B. No. 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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AiV ACT 
REQUIRING ADVJ32TIS-S 
OF ALCOHOLIC BETWGES 
TO BEAR HEALTH WARNINGS 
Be It enacted b-v the Senate and House ofRepueseztative in Co.f?gress of rhe Philipines 
asskmhled: 
SECTICIN 1. Short Title.- This Act shall be known as the “Sensible Advertising 
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.Act? 
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SECTION 2. Dcclnmtion o.fPolicy.- 
The State shall protect. mcl promote the 
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.right offlie people to health and instill health consciousness among them. 
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SECTION 3. Dejnition ofTerPns.- For purposes of this Act, the term: 
(A) “Alcoholic beverage’’ inclndes any beverage which pontains not less than one- 
half of one percent o f  alcohol by volnme and is intended for himan oonsiiniption; 
(B) “Secretary“ refer8 to the Secretary of the Departnient ofHealt11. 
SECTION4. Health Warnings.- It shdl be an unfair or deceptive act or practice 
for any person to: 
(A) Advertise or c a w  to be advertised throrlgh magazines, newspapers. brochures, 
any alcoholic beverage unless the advertising bews, in 
md promotional displays 
accordance with reqoirements this Section, one of the following health warnings: 


GO~R~JMJZNT 
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If you are pregnant, don't drink. Drinking 
alcohol during pregnancy may cause mental retardation and other birth 
defects. 
G O V E R W  W A R " G :  Alcohol is a CIIXI~ and may be addictive. 
GOVERNMmUT WARNING: Drive sober. If you don't, you coiild lose 
pour driver's license or even your life. Alcohol iiiipzirs your ability to drive 
a car or operate machinery. 
G O V E R " T  " I N G :  Don't mix alcohol with over-the-counter, 
prescription, or illicit drugs. 
GOWRNME4T VJ.AR"G: If you drink too much alcohol, yon can die 
5om dcohol poisoning. 
GovEmmr \VARN&=Ki: Drinking increases pour risks of hi& blood 
presawe, liver disease, and cancer. The inore you drink, the more likely it 
is that yo11 will have siich health problems. 
(B) Advertise or cmse to be advertised thou@ radio, te\evision broadcasting 
(including cable broaclcastiiis and paid per view or subscription television), or other 
electronic means any nlcoholic beverage unless the arlvertis.ing includes, in nccorrtance 
with the requirernents of this Section, one ofthe following health warnings: 
G O f ~ ~ ~ M E N T  
WAIWING: If you are pregnant, don't drink alcohol. 
Alcohol tnay caiise ruetital retardation and other birth defects. 
G O V X "  r W.kK"G: Alcohol is a drug and may be addictive. 
G O \ E R " T  
WARNING: Drive sober. If ~ G U  
don't, you cnuld lose 
your driver's license or even ydur life. 
GOVERNMENT WARNING: Don't mix alcohol with over-Uie-counter, 
prescription, or illicit dnigs. 
G0Z-r 
WAKNLNG: If yort drink too much alcohol too fast, you 
cm die of :ilcohol poisoning. 


G O V E R m  WAXNLNG: Drinking too iwch alcohol increases your 
risk ofhigh blood pressire, liver disease, and cancer. 
SECTION 5. Repimwnfs. - The health warnings required for alcoholic beverage 
advertisements by Section 4 shall be locafed in B conspicuous and prominent place on each 
advettiseinenl, as determined by the Secretary of Health in regulations to take eftect not 
later than 6 months aiter the date of the effectivity of this Act. 
SECTION 6. Report.- If the Secretq finds that available scientific infoiiiiation 
would justifj the change, addition, or deletion of the requirements prescribed in Section 4, 
lie shall 
promptly submit a. report to the appropriate coinmitteels of Congress 
contining: 
(A) Ttie infortnation; and 
(A) Specific recommendations for swli amendments to this Act as the Secretary 
deteimineu to be a1q)ropriate arid in the public interest. 
SECTION 7. Sepruhifirj, Clause.- ffmiy provision, or part hereof, is held invalid 
or unconstitutiorial, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
rt?maiin valid and siibsistkg. 
SECTION 8. Repeuling Cluuse.- Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
execiitive order, letter of instruction, admiriistratiz,e order, rnle or regolation contrary to or 
inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
mxordingly. 


SECTION 9. E$&ctivit?, C!ause.- This Act shall talie effect fifteen (15) days aAer its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general cit-culcltion. 
Approved. 
DT 
21 Auiguist 1998