Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Cremation is gaining popularity in the Philippines as an alternative to burying a body 
in a casket. The reasons vary from practicality to health restrictions to a wide array of 
personal reasons.  
However, cremation can also be used to remove traces of committed crimes. This is 
precisely what happened to a South Korean businessman who has kidnapped and 
killed in October 2016. His ashes were flushed down by a person who misrepresented 
herself as a representative of the victim’s family. This incident highlights the 
importance of taking necessary steps to ensure that cremation will not be a hindrance 
to the delivery of justice. 
Among others, this proposed measure ensures that the managers of each crematory 
shall keep books of record, which shall be open at reasonable times for inspection, in 
which shall be entered the name, age, sex, and residence of each person whose body 
is cremated together with digital photos, tissue samples collected for purposes of DNA 
analysis or storage, fingerprints and/or thumbprints and the authority for such 
cremation and the disposition of the ashes. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
May 22, 2023
11:39 am
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
AN ACT 
REQUIRING CREMATORIES TO COLLECT FROM THE DECEDENT'S REMAINS 
TISSUE SAMPLES FOR DNA SAMPLING AND/OR STORAGE, FINGERPRINTS 
OR THUMBPRINTS, AND DIGITAL PHOTOS, PROVIDING PENALTIES 
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
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 "Mandatory Collection of 
Biological Specimen and Identification Samples Act." 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of the State to ensure 
the efficient administration of justice and guarantee that criminal elements will not be 
able to obstruct investigations. Toward this end, the collection of biological specimen 
and identification samples shall be made mandatory prior to the cremation of dead 
bodies. 
Sec. 3. Records and Certificates. – The managers of each crematory shall keep 
books of record, which shall be open at reasonable times for inspection, in which shall 
be entered the name, age, sex, and residence of each person whose body is cremated 
together with digital photos, tissue samples collected for purposes of DNA analysis or 
storage, fingerprints and/or thumbprints and the authority for such cremation and the 
disposition of the ashes. 
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The owner or superintendent shall complete the required cremation permit, retain a 
copy for its records and immediately forward the original permit to the local registrar 
of the town or city in which the death occurred. 
 
The local registrar shall keep the cremation permit on file and record it with other vital 
statistics. When any body is removed from a town or city where the death occurred for 
the purpose of cremation, the person having the legal custody and control of such 
body shall cause a certificate to be procured from the person in charge of the 
crematory in which such body is incinerated, stating the facts called for in this section, 
and cause such certificate to be filed for record with the registrar of the town or city in 
which the death occurred. 
 
Each crematory shall retain on its premises, for not less than five (5) years after final 
disposition of cremated remains, books of record, digital photos, tissue samples 
collected for purposes of DNA analysis or storage, fingerprints and/or thumbprints, 
copies of cremation permits, cremation authorization documentation, and 
documentation of receipt of cremated remains.  
 
Sec. 4. Cremation Requirements. – The body of any deceased person may be 
disposed of by incineration or cremation in the town or city where the death occurred 
or may be removed from such town or city for such purpose; Provided, the following 
requirements are met: 
a)  
at least forty-eight (48) hours transpired since the death occurred; 
b) 
the civil and medical authorities have issued the required permits; 
c) 
all necessary authorizations have been obtained and no objections have been 
raised; and 
d) 
decedent's remains have been identified by the legal next of kin or authorized 
agent. 
 
Sec. 5. Filing of Death Certificate. – The death certificate required by law shall be 
filed with the local registrar of the town or city in which such person died, if known, or, 
if not known, of the town in which the body was found. 
 


 
Sec. 6. Cremation Certificate. – The chief medical examiner, deputy chief medical 
examiner, associate medical examiner, or an authorized assistant medical examiner 
shall complete the cremation certificate, stating the following; 
a)  
He has made an inquiry into the cause and manner of death; and 
b) 
He is of the opinion that no further examination is necessary 
 
The cremation certificate shall be submitted to the local registrar of the town or city in 
which such person died, if known, or, if not known, of the town or city in which the body 
was found, or with the local registrar of the town or city in which the nearest kin or the 
person having lawful authority over the body is located. 
 
Sec. 7. Cremation Permit. – The local civil registrar shall issue a cremation permit 
upon receipt of the cremation certificate which he/she shall keep on permanent record. 
If the cremation certificate is submitted to the registrar of the town or city where the 
nearest kin or the person having lawful authority over the body is located, such 
certificate shall be forwarded to the registrar of the town or city where the person died 
to be kept on permanent record. 
 
When the cremation certificate is submitted to a town or city other than that where the 
person died, the local registrar of such other town or city shall ascertain from the 
original removal, transit, and burial permit that the certificates required by the laws, 
rules, and regulations have been received and recorded, that the body has been 
prepared in accordance with laws, rules, and regulations, and that the entry regarding 
the place of disposal is correct. 
 
Sec. 8. Penalty. – Any person who makes any false statement in procuring any permit 
required by this Act, or who violates any provision of this Act, shall be fined not less 
than One Million Pesos (P1,000,000.00) or imprisoned for not less than five (5) years, 
or both.  
 
 
Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Secretary of Health shall issue 
the necessary rules and regulations to carry out the objectives of this Act. 
 


 
Sec. 10. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act or part thereof, is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
 
Sec. 11. 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 are hereby repealed, modified, or amended 
accordingly. 
 
Sec. 12. 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,