THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
'01 JIB 251 P 4 :'> t 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
This bill seeks 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
to aid and promote research on the causes of dystonia so that they can be 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 13, Section 12, provides: 
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 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. 
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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE FU3PuBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILiPPMES 
1 
First Regular Session 1 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
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PROMOTING RESEARCH ON DYSTONIA 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short TttZe. - This Act shall be known as the “Dystonia Research and 
Information Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declavation of Policy. - The Constitution, Article 13, Section 12, 
mandates the State io 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 reskarch for the prevention and treatment on dystonia. 
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SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. -For purposes of this Act, the terms - 
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(1) “Secretary” shall refer to the Secretary of the Department of Health; 
(2) “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 
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s, legs, or neck, or the entire body; and 
refers to the Committee on Dystonia Research. 
SECTION4. 4ystonia Research. - The Secretary shall conduct or support research to 
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expand the understanding of dystonia. Such research shall: 
(1) if determined to be scientifically appropriate, include a multidisciplinary, 
clinical, and case-controlled study of dystonia patients; 


(2) invdlve families of persons who suffer from dystonia, focus on atypical 
disease presentation,i j neurological dysfunction, diminished intelligence, and eniotional 
imbalance; and 
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(3) evaluate to what extent, if any, their health differs from other patients with 
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neurological disorders/ 
Secretary. 
SECTION 5. Committee on Dystonia Research. - To assist the Secretary in receiving 
accurate and complete information about dystonia, its symptoms, origin, classification, 
prevention, and treat ent, 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 
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policy formation, research, and activities of the goveiimient regarding dystonia 
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SECTION 7. Meetings. - The meetings of the Committee shall be open to the public and 
public witnesses shall be given opportunity to speak and make presentations at such meetings. 
Each member shall m e a presentation to the full Committee at each meeting concerning the 
activities conducted b such member. 
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SECTION 8. Term. - 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. 
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(1) Advise 
Any vacancy in the membership of the Committee shall be filled in the same manner as 
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the original appointment. 
Any member of the Committee may be removed for cause in accordance with procedures 
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established by the Committee. 
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the Secretary on appropriate research activities to be undertaken by the 
SECTION 10. .kppropriation. - To carry out the provisions of this Act, such amount as 
may be necessary is hereby authorized to be appropriated fiom the National Treasuy. 
Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continuous operation of the research shall be included 
in the annual appropriation of the Department of Health. 
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SECTION 11. 
unconstitutional, the r 
valid and subsisting. 
‘eparabi1ity Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or 
nainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 


SECTION 12. 'Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, or rule or regulation contrruy to or inconsistent 
SECTION 13 
with the provisions o4this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
EffectiviQ Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at leas 
Approved. 
FN: 1516CMH 
wo (2) newspapers of general circulation.