Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Fifteenth Congress
First Regular Session

House Bit no, 0089

Introduced by Rep. Reynaldo V. Umali

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Recently, a photograph of a dog stuffed in a sack, tied to the rear of a
Sports Utility Vehicle, and transported though the city streets spread
virally on the internet. It has since spread like wildfire through social
networking sites like Facebook and Twitter causing outrage online.

Several months ago, another tale of animal cruelty was in the news. It
was reported that a syndicate was producing "crush videos’ and
selling them in the black market. A crush video features animals
being stepped upon and crushed to death. The said videos were
supposed to cater to certain individuals who found such acts
entertaining.

In both cases, citizens unanimously branded the acts as cruel. Animal
welfare groups have been trying-to assist law enforcers in the
prosecution of the perpetrators. Unfortunately, the organizations fear
that their conviction would not deter similar acts in the future
because the current law provides for miniscule penalties. Republic Act
No. 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 states that any person
who violates any of the. provisions of the Act shall be punished by
imprisonment of not less than six (6) months nor more than (2) years
or a fine of not less than One Thousand Pesos (PI ,000.00) or both at
the discretion of the court. The English jurist, William Jones, said that
"Cruelty to animals is one of the distinguishing vices of low and base
minds. Wherever it is found, it is a certain mark of ignorance and
meanness; a mark which all the external advantages of wealth,
splendour, and nobility, cannot obliterate. It is consistent neither with
learning nor true civility.”

The public sentiment in favor of better treatment for animals must be
translated into public policy. Thus, there is a need to put more teeth
into the law against those who engage and trade on animal cruelty.
This bill seeks to provide a higher penalty for those who violate R.A.

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8485, entitled "An Act To Promote Animal Welfare In The Philippines,
Otherwise Known As 'the Animal Welfare Act Of 1998."

Hence, the approval of this bill is earnes}

[ALDO V. UMALI


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _OU89

Introduced by Honorable REYNALDO V. UMALI

AN ACT AMENDING SECTION 8 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8485,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "THE ANIMAL WELFARE ACT OF 1998"
BY INCREASING THE PENALTY PROVIDED

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 8 of Republic Act No. 8485 otherwise known as
the Animal Welfare Act of 1998, is amended to read as follows:

SECTION 8: Any person who violates any of the provisions of this Act
shall, upon conviction by final judgment, be punished by
imprisonment of not less than six (6) months nor more than FIVE
years or a fine of not less than ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS
(P100,000.00) or both at the discretion of the Court. If the violation is
committed by a juridical person, the officer responsible thereof shall
serve the imprisonment when imposed. If the violation is committed
by an alien, he or she shall be immediately deported after the service
of sentence without any further proceedings.

SECTION 2. 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.

SECTION 3. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
days after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,