, , 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.No. 
1850 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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OCT 14 P5 :32 
This Bill seeks to limit the practice of cosmetic dermatology to licensed and qualified 
physicians with residency training in dermatology or plastic surgery. 
Cosmetic dermatological procedure or .plastic surgery is a popular procedure done to. 
individuals by reshaping and refining normal structures of the face and body. This is done to 
improve appearance to boost self-esteem or to repair damaged facial or body structures. 
Cosmetic dermatology or plastic surgery has become so popular that enterprising individuals are 
exploiting the opportunity for a very lucrative business. A number of facial care clinics and 
salons are sprouting like mushrooms to address the,demand for cosmetic or plastic surgery. 
These dermatological clinics and salons usually do not have qualified cosmetic surgeons to 
perform services like facial restructuring and breast augmentation, including serious procedures 
like liposuction and tummy tuck. There has been report that the practice had resulted to death or 
caused facial contusion to the patients. 
Government has to step in to protect possible victims of the practice prevalent in the field 
. 
of cosmetic surgery. Realizing that cosmetic dermatological proc~dure is dangerous and risky if 
performed by unqualified plastic surgeons, this proposed measure is government's response to 
the mandate of the Constitution for the State to protect and promote the right to health of the 
people and instill health consciousness among them.' 
'This bill was originally filed during the 14th Congress, First Regular Session. 
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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'1] 
OCT 14 P5:32 
SEN~T.» 
S. No. 
llS50 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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AN ACT 
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LIMITING THE PRACTICE OF COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY TO LICENSED AND 
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QUALIFIED PHYSICIANS WITH RESIDENCY TRAINING IN DERMATOLOGY 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Cosmetic Dermatology; Limitation. - The practice of cosmetic dermatology 
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shall be limited to licensed and qualified physicians with residency training in dermatology or 
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plastic surgery. 
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Cosmetic dermatology procedures shall include, but shall not be limited to, cutaneous 
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laser surgery, laser hair removal, acne surgery: sclerotheraphy for varicose veins, hair 
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transplantation, electrodessication and curettage, electro surgery, injections with steroids, 
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liposuction, tummy tuck, nose reshaping, face lifting, breast lifts, brow lifting and eyelid surgery. 
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Cosmetic procedures which do not require surgery such as facials, body scrubs, chemical 
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peels, dermabrasion and similar treatments may be done by a trained personnel under the 
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supervision of licensed and qualified physician with residency training in dermatology or plastic 
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surgery. 
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SECTION 2. Penalties. - Any violation of this Act, shall, upon conviction, be subject to 
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a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos (P 50,000.00) but not more than Two Hundred 
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thousand Pesos (P 200,000.00), or imprisonment of not less than six (6) months but not more 
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than five (5) years, or both such fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court. 
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SECTION 3. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of Health shall 
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formulate and issue the rules and regulations necessary to implement ibis Act within sixty (60) 
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days after its approval. 
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SECTION 4. Separability Clause, - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act shall remain valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 5. Repealing Clause, - All laws, decrees, executive orders, and issuances, or 
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portions thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, 
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amended, or modified accordingly. 
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SECTION 6, Effectivity Clause, - This Act, shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation, 
Approved, 
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