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THIRTEENTH CONGPSS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
) 
'04 
-3 
2 $3 
First Regular Session 
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1 Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Artic e 2, Section 15, provides: 
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The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and 
instill health consciousness among them. 
The public should be informed about the health hazards that may result from the 
consumption or abuse, of alcoholic beverages. Health warning on all containers of alcoholic 
beverages is appropriate and necessary in view of the substantial role of the government in 
promoting public health and safety 
This bill seeks 'to increase consciousness on the health hazards that may be associated 
with the consumption or abuse of alcoholic beverages by requiring that containers of alcoholic 
beverages should carry health warnings. 
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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
’[?d 
kJS -3 p2.43 
First Regular Session 
1 
REQUIRING THAT 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
THEIR CONTAINERS 
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES CARRY HEALTH WARNINGS ON 
SECTION 1. Short Title. 
~ This Act shall be known as the “Alcoholic Beverage Labeling 
Act.” 
SECTION 2. Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to protect and promote 
the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. 
SECTION 3. DeJnition of terms. -As used in this Act, the terms - 
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(1) “Alcpholic beverage” includes any beverage in liquid form which contains not 
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less than one-half of one percent of alcohol by volume and is intended for human consumption; 
(2) “Bottle” means to fill a container with an alcoholic beverage and to seal such 
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container; 
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(3) “Bottler” means a person who bottles an alcoholic beverage; 
(4) “Container” means the innermost sealed container irrespective of the material 
from which made, in which an alcoholic beverage is placed by the bottler and in which such 
beverage is offered for sale to members of the general public; 
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ea!lth” includes, but is not limited to, the prevention of accidents; 
(5) &“ 
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(6) “Person” means an individual, partnership, joint stock company, business 
trust, association, corporation, or any other business or legal entity, including a receiver, trustee, 
or liquidating agent; 
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(7) “Sale” and “distribution” include sampling or any o ther distribution not for 
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sale; and 
(8) “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Department of Health. 
SECTION 4. Labeling Requirement. - 
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(1) Statement Required to be Labeled on Container - On and after the expiration 
of the 12-month periodi following the enactment of this Act, it shall he unlawful for any person to 
manufacture, import, or bottle for sale or distribution in the Philippines any alcoholic beverage 
unless the container of uch beverage bears the following statement: 
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“GOVERNME T WARNING (1) Women should not drink alcoholic beverages 
during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects. (2) Consumption of 
alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery, and 
may cause health problems.” 
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(2) Conspicuous and Prominent Location of Statement on Container - The 
statement required by subsection (1) shall be located in a conspicuous and prominent place on 
the container of such beverage, shall be in type of a size, as determined by the Secretary, and 
shall appear on a contrasting background. The Secretary shall make such determinations within 
ninety (90) days after the enactment of this Act. 
(3) Subsection (1) shall not apply with respect to alcoholic beverages that are 
manufactured, importe4, bottled, or labeled for export fiom the Philippines, or for delivery to a 
vessel or aircraft, as supplies, for consumption beyond the jurisdiction of the internal revenue 
laws of the Philippines.; 
(4) Powers of the Secretary; rnles and regulations - The Secretary shall have the 
power to - 
(A) ensure the enforcement of the provisions of this Act; and 
(B) issue regulations to carry out this Act. 
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SECTION 5. Penalties. - Any person who shall violate the provisions of this Act, or its 
implementing rules ana regulations, shall be subject to a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand 
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Pesos (P50,OOO.OO) but not more than One Hundred Thousand pesos (PlOO,OOO.OO) 
or 
imprisonment of not less than three (3) months but not more than two (2) years, or both, at the 
discretion of the court. 
together with specific recommendations for such amendments to this Act as the Secretary 
SECTION 7. S parability 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. 
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SECTION 8. 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 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen ( 15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved. 
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