FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Section 15 provides that: 
“The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill 
health consciousness among them.” 
Acupuncture first became popular in the Philippines in the 197Os, after former US 
President Richard Nixon’s China visit sparked a new openness to all things Chinese, 
Since then, the study of acupuncture and interest in the art has grown steadily. Today, 
although orthodox Western medicine remains cautious about it, it is one of the most 
widely accepted among the “alternative” health systems, and numerous acupuncture 
clinics have emerged in recent years. 
This alternative medicine is favored because of the following reasons: it has fewer 
side effects; it entails a simple procedure; it cures a wide range of diseases; and is known 
to have good curative effects compared with other mode of treatments. However, if the 
procedure is not performed accurately, it could be harmful for the patient. Hence, there is 
a need to regulate the practice of acupuncture in order to ensure that only licensed 
acupuncturists can perform the treatment. 
This bill seeks to regulate the practice of acupuncture for the purpose of 
protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens while malting this healing art 
available to those who seek it.’ 
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’ This bill was originally filed in the Thirteenth Congress, Third Regular Session 


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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT TO REGULATE THE PRACTICE OF ACUPUNCTURE, 
CREATING FOR THIS PURPOSE AN ACUPUNCTURE BOARD 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. This act may be cited as the "Acupuncture Act of 2007". 
SECTION 2. Declaration ofpolicy. The State shall protect and promote the right 
to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. As used in this Act unless the context indicates 
otherwise, the following definition of terms shall be adopted: 
(1) "Acupuncture" means a form of primary health care, based on traditional 
Chinese medical concepts and modern oriental medical techniques, that employs 
acupuncture diagnosis and treatment, as well as adjunctive therapies and 
diagnostic techniques, for the promotion, maintenance, and restoration of health 
and the prevention of disease. Acupuncture shall include, but not be limited to, the 
insertion of acupuucture needles and the application of moxibustion to specific 
areas of the human body and the use of electroacupuncture, Qi Gong, oriental 
massage, herbal therapy, dietary guidelines, and other adjunctive therapies, as 
defined by board rule; 
(2) "Acupuncturist" means any person licensed to practice acupuncture as a 
primary health care provider; 
(3) "Board" means the Board of Acupuncture; 
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(4) "License" means the document of authorization issued by the Department for 
a person to engage in the practice of acupuncture. 
(5) "Department" means the Department of Health. 
(6) "Oriental medicine" means the use of acupuncture, electroacupuncture, Qi 
Gong, oriental massage, herbal therapy, dietary guidelines, and other adjunctive 
therapies. 
(7) "Prescriptive rights" means the prescription, administration, and use of 
needles and devices, restricted devices, and prescription devices that are used in 
the practice of acupuncture and oriental medicine. 
SECTION 4. Cveation of the Board of Acupunctuve. - The Board of Acupuncture 
is hereby created within the Department and shall consist of seven members, to be 
appointed by the Secretary. Five members of the board must be licensed acupuncturists. 
Two members must be laypersons who are not and who have never been acupuncturists 
or members of any closely related profession. Members shall be appointed for 4-year 
terms or for the remainder of the unexpired term of a vacancy. 
The board has the authority to adopt rules in order to implement the pertinent 
provisions of this Act. 
The board shall adopt rules relating to application procedures for inactive status, 
renewal of inactive licenses, and reactivation of licenses. The board shall prescribe by 
rule an application fee for inactive status, a renewal fee for inactive status, a delinquency 
fee, and a fee for the reactivation of a license. 
SECTION 5. Licensure requirements and fees. - It is unlawhl for any person to 
practice acupuncture unless such person has been licensed by the board. A person may 
become licensed to practice acupuncture if the person applies to the department and: 
(a) Is 21 years of age or older and has good moral character; 
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(b) Has completed 60 hours of training and study in acupuncture and oriental 
medicine from an accredited institution which meets standards established by the 
Board; 
(c) Has successfully completed a board-approved national certification process, 
passes an examination administered by the department, which tests the applicant's 
competency and knowledge of the practice of acupuncture and oriental medicine. 
The examination shall include a practical examination of the knowledge and skills 
required to practice modem and traditional acupuncture and oriental medicine, 
covering diagnostic and treatment techniques and procedures; and 
(d) Pays the required fees set by the board by rule not to exceed the following 
amounts: 
1. Examination fee: Php 500 per applicant. 
2. Licensure fee: Php 1,000 per qualified applicant. 
SECTION 6. Prohibited acts. -No person shall: 
(a) Practice acupuncture unless the person is licensed by the Board pursuant to 
this Act; 
(b) Present as his or her own the license of another: 
(c) Knowingly give false or forged evidence to the board or a member thereof; 
(d) Use or attempt to use a license that has been suspended, revoked, or placed on 
inactive or delinquent status; 
SECTION 7. Penalties. - Any person who violates any provision of this Act shall 
be punished with imprisonment of not less than three (3) years or more than eight (8) 
years, or a fine of not less than Ten thousand pesos (F'hp 
lO,OOO.OO), but not more than 
Fifteen thousand pesos (Php 15,000.00), or both, at the discretion of the Court. 
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SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is 
declared unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other 
provisions not affected thereby. 
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are 
hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 10. Effectiviv. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following 
its publication in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
dpd5-28-07 
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