FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.No. 1873 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 11, Section 15 mandates the State to protect and promote the 
right to health of the people and to instil consciousness among them. 
, 
Alcohol is by far the substance most widely used and abused by people in the country 
today. Even minors, who are supposedly prohibited from purchasing and drinking alcoholic 
beverages, are found to be alcohol dependents. People are not well informed about the hazards of 
alcohol use. This is understandable, owing to the fact that these advertisements of alcoholic 
beverages merely proclaim the soothing taste of these alcoholic drinks, other exhilarating effects 
on one's virility, but conceal the more important information that alcoholic beverages can 
actually do as much harm as illegal drugs do. 
Apparently, these advertisements are oblivious to medical findings that alcoholic 
beverages can actually produce greater risk of suffering from high blood pressure, liver disease 
and cancer. 
This bill seeks to infuse conSCIOusness on the ill effects of alcoholic beverages by 
requiring that their advertisements should bear health warnings. 1 
1 This bill was originally filed during the Thirteenth Congress, First Regular Session 
1 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENi'lr73 
S. No. ___ -=--
, l".. 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
1 
AN ACT 
2 
REQUIRING ADVERTISEMENTS OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES TO BEAR HEALTH 
3 
WARNINGS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
4 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Sensible Advertising Act." 
5 
SECTION 2 .. Declaration of Policy. - It is a policy of the State to protect and promote 
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the right of the people to health and instill consciousness among them. Pursuant to this policy, 
7 
this Act seeks to instill consciousness about the deleterious effects of alcoholic beverages by 
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requiring alcohol advertisements include bear health warnings of imbibing alcohol. 
9 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the term: 
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(A) "Alcoholic beverage" includes any beverage which contains not less than one-half 
11 
percent of alcohol y volume and is intended for human consumption; 
12 
(B) "Secretary" refers to the Secretary of the Department of Health. 
13 
SECTION 4. Health Warnings. - It shall be unfair or deceptive act or practice for any 
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person to: 
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(A) Advertise or cause to be advertised through magazines, newspaper, brochures, and 
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promotional displays any alcoholic beverage unless the advertising bears, in accordance with the 
17 
requirements in this Section, one of the following health warnings: 
1 


1 
GOVERNMENT WARNING: If you are pregnant, don't drink. Drinking Alcohol 
2 
during pregnancy may cause mental retardation and other birth defects. 
3 
GOVERNMENT WARNING: Alcohol is a drug and may be addictive. 
4 
GOVERNMENT WARNING: Drive sober. If you don't, you could lose your 
5 
driver's license or even your life. Alcohol impairs your ability to drive a car or 
6 
operate machinery. 
7 
GOVERNMENT WARNING: Don't mix alcohol with over-the-counter, 
8 
prescription, or illicit drugs. 
9 . 
GOVERNMENT WARNING: If you drink to much alcohol too fast, you can die 
10 
of alcohol poisoning. 
11 
GOVERNMENT WARNING: Drinking increases your risks of high blood 
12 
pressure, liver disease, and cancer. The more you drink, the more likely it is that 
13 
yO\! will have such health problems. 
14 
(B) Advertise or cause to be advertised through radio, television broadcasting (including 
15 
cable broadcasting and paid per view or subscription television), or other electronic means any 
16 
alcoholic beverage unless the advertising includes, in accordance with the requirements of this 
17 
Section, one of the following health warnings: 
18 
GOVERNMENT WARNING: If you are pregnant, don't drink. Drinking Alcohol 
19 
during pregnancy may cause mental retardation and other birth defects. 
20 
GOVERNMENT WARNING: Alcohol is a drug and may be addictive. 
21 
GOVERNMENT WARNING: Drive sober. If you don't, you could lose your 
22 
driver's license or even your life. 
23 
GOVERNMENT WARNING: Don't mix alcohol with over-the-counter, 
24 
prescription, or illicit drugs. 
25 
GOVERNMENT WARNING: If you drink to much alcohol, you can die from 
26 
alcohol poisoning. 
27 
GOVERNMENT WARNING: Drinking 111creases your risks of high blood 
28 
pressure, liver disease, and cancer. 
2 


1 
SECTION 5. Requirements. - The health warnings required for alcoholic beverage 
2 
advertisements by Section 4 shall be locate in a conspicuous and prominent place on each 
3 
advertisement, as determined by the Secretary of Health in regulations to take effect not later 
4 
than 6 months after the date of the Effectivity of this Act. 
5 
SECTION 6. Report. - If the Secretary finds than available scientific information would 
6 
justify the change, addition, or deletion of the requirements prescribed in Section 4, he shall 
7 
promptly submit a report to the appropriate committee 0 Congress containing: 
8 
(A) The information; and 
9 
(B) Specific recommendations for such amendments to this Act as the Secretary 
10 
determines to be appropriate and in the public interest. 
11 
SECTION' 7. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
12 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
13 
with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
14 
SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or 
15 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the la or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
16 
valid and sUbsisting. 
17 
SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
18 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
3