Republic of the Philippines 19
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2 MAY 2014
Quezon City Rilo PY

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4378

HOUSE BILL NO,

Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L, Tan, M.D.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The reasons for undergoing a facial plastic surgery are varied. Some patients who
decide to undergo the procedure suffer from birth disfigurements like birthmarks, cleft
palates, and congenital facial deformities. Others are victims of accidents, burns, and
diseases, thus requiring reconstructive surgery.

Many choose to change, for aesthetic purposes, some of the signs of premature aging
or the shape or size of a facial feature that has bothered them for years. Still, there are
those who do it to evade police detection for their crimes. One case in point is Alvin Flores,
a robbery gang leader who had his face changed drastically through plastic surgery to
escape the long arms of the law.

Recently, Abigail Pendulas, the wife and suspected co-conspirator of Manuel
Amalilio in an alleged P12-billion pyramid scam was arrested by the police after
successfully evading the intelligence operatives for almost a year because she underwent a
noselift that radically altered her facial features making it difficult for the authorities to
identify her.

This bill aims to forestall criminals from hiding their identities and evade arrest by
requiring facial plastic surgery patients to present NBI Clearance before undergoing a
procedure.

In view thereof, the early passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

(ty
ANGELINA eae, TAN, M.D.
4 District, Quezon


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4378

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.

AN ACT
REQUIRING THE SUBMISSION OF A VALID NATIONAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
(NBI) CLEARANCE BEFORE ANY FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY PROCEDURE CAN BE
PERFORMED TO ANY PERSON

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. No person shall be allowed to undergo a facial plastic surgery procedure unless
he or she is able to present a valid clearance from the National Bureau of Investigation
(NBI).

For purposes of this Act, facial plastic surgery shall cover both cosmetic and reconstructive
surgery procedures which shall include, but not limited to: blepharoplasty (surgery of the
eyelids), facial scar revision, forehead lifts, hair replacement, mentoplasty (surgery of the
chin), submental lipectomy (surgery beneath the chin), otoplasty (surgery of the ears),
rhinoplasty (surgery of the nose), or rhytidectomy (surgery of the face).

SEC. 2. It shall be the duty of every plastic surgery practitioner to require the submission of
the NBI Clearance prior to any facial plastic surgery procedure which shall form part of the
patient's medical records.

SEC. 3. Penalties. - Any plastic surgery practitioner who shall violate any provision of this
Act shall suffer the penalty graduated hereunder, viz:

@) For the first conviction, he shall suffer the penalty of reprimand,
which shall be officially recorded in the appropriate books of the
professional Regulation Commission and the Philippine Medical

Association;

(b) For the second conviction, the penalty of fine in the amount of not less
than Five Thousand Pesos (P5,000);,

G) For the third conviction, the penalty of fine in the amount of not less

than Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000) but not exceeding Twenty
Thousand Pesos (P20,000) and suspension of his license to practice
his profession for thirty days at the discretion of the Court;

@ If the offense is committed by a corporation, partnership other
juridical entity duly organized in accordance with law, the chief
executive officer, president, general manager, or such other officer in
charge shall be liable for the commission of the offense penalized
under this Act and the cancellation of its business permit and license
to operate.

(©) The Secretary of Health shall have the authority to impose
administrative sanctions such as suspension or cancellation of license
to practice profession to the Professional Regulation Commission, as
the case may be, for the violation of this Act.


SEC. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations, - The Department of Health shall promulgate
and issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of the
provisions of this Act within thirty (30) days after the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations or parts
thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SEC, 6. Separability Clause. - If for any reason, a provision or part thereof is declared
invalid, other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,