FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. B 8 2 
) 
) 
) 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article 13, Section 12 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that: 
"The 
State 
shall 
establish 
and 
maintain 
an 
effective 
food 
and 
drug 
regulatory system and undertake appropriate 
health 
manpower 
development 
and 
research, responsive to the country's health 
needs and problems." 
In the United States and in other countries, a number of privately funded 
voluntary health agencies continue to research on possible treatment of dystonia. 
However, research on dystonia in our country remains minimal, or even 
negligible. 
The fact that it has afflicted hundreds of Filipinos, and that the neurological 
disorder is genetic, is a cause of concem. The govemment must help curb the 
growing cases of dystonia. 
Not a single treatment has been found to be universally effective, and 
doctors would normally resort to therapies to reduce or eliminate the muscle 
spasms and pain that patients suffer. 
This bill seeks to aid and promote research on the causes of dystonia so 
that they can be prevented, and that effective treatment can be found. 
Hence, 
the early passage of this proposed 
measure 
is 
highly 
recommended. 
Senator 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 682 
) 
) 
) 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
PROMOTING RESEARCH ON DYSTONIA 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as the "Dystonia 
Research and Information Act." 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy - The Constitution, Article 13, Section 12 
mandates the State to undertake appropriate health manpower development and 
research responsive to the country's health needs and problems. Taking into 
account this mandate, the State shall promote research for the prevention and 
treatment on dystonia. 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms - For purposes of this Act, the term: 
(a) "Secretary" shall refer to the Secretary of the Department of Health; 
. (b) "Dystonia" shall refer to the movement disorder in which sustained 
muscle contractions cause twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal 
postures. The movements, which are involuntary and sometimes painful, may 
affect a single muscle, a group of muscles such as those in the arms, legs, or 
neck, or the entire body; 
(c) "Committee" refers to the Committee on Dystonia Research. 
SEC. 4. Dystonia Research - The Secretary shall conduct or support 
research to expand the understanding of dystonia. Such research shall: 
(a) 
if determined to be scientifically appropriate, include a 
multidisciplinary, clinical, case-controlled study of dystonia 
patients; 
(b) 
involve families of persons who suffer from dystonia, focus on 
atypical 
disease 
presentation, 
neurological 
dysfunction, 
diminished intelligence and emotional imbalance; 


.. 
(c) 
evaluate to what extent, if any, their health differs from other 
patients with neurological disorders. 
SEC. 5. Committee on Dystonia Research - To assist the Secretary in 
receiving accurate and complete information about dystonia, its symptoms, 
origin, classification, prevention and treatment, there shall be established a 
committee, to be known as the Committee on Dystonia Research, to ensure the 
strategic management, communication, and oversight of the policy formation, 
research, and activities of the government regarding dystonia. 
SEC. 6. Composition -
, 
(1) The Committee shall be composed of nine (9) members: 
(A) Two (2) representatives from the Department; 
(8) One (1) representative of any other agencies necessary to accomplish 
the purpose of the Committee; 
(C) Four (4) physicians or practitioners with established credentials in the 
area of neurological disorders; and 
(D) Two (2) immediate relatives of dystonia patients to be appointed by 
the Secretary. 
(2) The Secretary shall act as the Chair of the Committee. He shall convene 
meetings of the Committee, not less than twice each year, and compile 
information for the consideration of the full Committee at such meetings. 
SEC. 7. Meetings. - The meetings of the Committee shall be open to the 
public and public witnesses shall be given the opportunity to speak and make 
presentations at such meetings. Each member shall make a presentation to the 
full Committee at each meeting concerning the activities conducted by such 
member. 
SEC. 8. Term of Office-. Members shall be appointed by the Secretary for 
a term of three (3) years. Of those first appointed, three (3) members shall serve 
for three (3) years, three (3) members for two (2) years, and the last three (3) 
members for one (1) year. 
Any vacancy in the membership of the Committee shall be filled in the 
same manner as the original appointment. 
Any member of the Committee may be removed for cause in accordance 
with procedures established by the Committee. 
SEC. 9. Functions - The Committee shall have the following functions: 
. (A) Advise the Secretary on appropriate research activities to be 
undertaken by the Office with respect to research on dystonia, its prevention and 
treatment; 


, 
.~ 
(8) Report to the Secretary on such research; 
(C) Provide recommendations to the Secretary regarding activities of the 
Committee; 
(D) Prepare a report regarding the activities of the Committee; and 
(E) Ensure that materials concerning dystonia are available, up to date, 
and responsive to reports of problems with dystonia, and that timely aggregate 
data concerning such reports shall be made available to the public upon request 
and consistent with existing confidentiality standards. 
SEC. 10. Appropriations - To carry out the provisions of this Act, such 
amount as may be necessary is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the 
National Treasury. Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continuous 
operation of the research shall be included in the annual appropriation of the 
Department of Health. 
SEC. 11. Separability Clause - If any provision or part hereof is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
SEC. 12. Repealing Clause - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation 
contrary to or inconsistent with the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, 
modified or amended accordingly . 
. SEC. 13. Effectivity Clause - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,