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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 1125 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
There are numerous health impacts and risks associated with tattooing 
and piercing, therefore, they have to be regulated by the govemment. 
The origin and chemical structure of coloring agents used for tattoing are 
hardly known. Pigments are mainly industrial organic pigments with high 
microbiological and impurities and a load of metals such as cobalt and mercury. 
The observed health effects, which are potentially associated with 
tattooing and piercing, include 
• 
Viral infections such as hepatitis, AIDS and cutaneaous infections; 
• 
Bacterial infections such as impetigo, toxic shock sybdrime, tetanus, 
chancroid, tuberculosis and leprosy; 
• 
Fungal infections such as sporotrichosis and zygomycosis; 
• 
Allergic reactions such as cutaneaous irritation and urticaria; 
• 
Granulomateus/lichenoid reactions; 
• 
Pseudo-lymphomas; 
• 
Lymphadenopathy; 
• 
Sarchoidosis; 
• 
Malignant lesions such as melanoma and skin cancer; 
• 
Behavioral changes 
• 
Other skin diseases such as psoriasis, photosensitization, phototoxicity 
and photogenotoxicity 
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly requested. 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 1125 
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INTRODUCED BY SEN. MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT 
PUNISHING THE ACT OF UNDERAGE TATTOOING AND BODY PIERCING 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. 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. 
SECTION 2. 
Definition of terms.- As used herein, the following shall 
mean: 
a) "Body piercing" means the creation of an opening in the body, 
excluding the ear, for the purpose of inserting jewelry or other decoration. 
e) "Tattoo" means to fix an indelible mark or figure upon the body by 
inserting a pigment under the skin or by producing scars. 
b) "Consent of a minor's parent or legal guardian" means the presence of 
a parent or legal guardian during the performance of body piercing or tattooing 
upon the minor after the parent or legal guardian has provided reasonable proof 
of personal identity and familial relationship. 
c) "Minor" means a person younger than 18 years of age. 
d) "Personal identification" means valid driver's license or other picture 
identification card that expressly states that the person is 18 years of age or 
older. 
SECTION 3. A person is guilty of unlawful body piercing or tattooing of a 
minor if he performs or offers to perform a body piercing or tattooing: 
a. upon a minor; 
b. without receiving the consent of the minor's parent or legal guardian; and 
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c. for remuneration or in the course of a business or profession. 
SECTION 4. Exception.- A person is not guilty if the person: 
a) had no actual knowledge of the minor's age; and 
b) reviewed, recorded, and has maintained a personal identification for the 
minor prior to performing an unlawful body piercing or unlawful tattooing. 
SECTION 5. Person Liable-. 
a) The person who performed or offered to perform a body piercing or 
tat~ooing to the minor; and 
b) The owner or operator of a business in which a violation occurs. 
SECTION 6. Penalty.-Any person guilty of violating this Act shall suffer the 
penalty of two (2) years to six (6) years imprisonment and a fine of not less than 
P20,OOO.OO. 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule and regulation 
contrary to or inconsistent with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, 
modified or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of 
general circulation. 
Approved. 
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