NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Cyanide poisoning occurs when a living organism is exposed to a compound that 
produces cyanide ions (CN−) when dissolved in water. Cyanide makes the cells of an organism 
unable to use oxygen, primarily through the inhibition of cytochrome c oxidase. Inhalation of 
high concentrations of cyanide causes coma with seizures, apnea, and cardiac arrest, with 
death following in a matter of minutes. At lower doses, loss of consciousness may be preceded 
by general weakness, giddiness, headaches, vertigo, confusion, and perceived difficulty in 
breathing. Exposure to lower levels of cyanide over a long period results in increased blood 
cyanide levels, which can result in weakness and a variety of symptoms, including 
permanent paralysis. 
Recently, according to a study conducted by the University of the Philippines-National 
Poison Management and Control Center, there has been an increasing public health concern 
over cases of poisoning attributed to the use of solutions with cyanide and other toxic 
substances in cleaning silver jewelry. Analysis of samples of silver cleaning solutions showed 
elevated levels of cyanide clearly posing imminent danger or even death to humans, 
particularly when accidentally or deliberately ingested 
It has been shown that silver-jewelry cleaning solution-containing cyanide and other 
toxic substances as threat to health and safety and therefore there is a need for the strict 
prohibition of their sale and use in the market. 
In view foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is immediately requested. 
 RUFUS B. RODRIGUEZ 
March 16, 2023
7:00 PM
7660


NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez 
House Bill No.  _____ 
AN ACT 
BANNING THE PRODUCTION AND SELLING OF SILVER-JEWELRY CLEANING 
SOLUTIONS/AGENTS CONTAINING CYANIDE AND OTHER TOXIC SUBSTANCES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of the Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy – It is the policy of the State to protect and promote the right 
to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. 
SEC. 2. It is hereby prohibited for producers or manufacturers of silver jewelry cleaning 
solutions/agents in the Philippines to use cyanide or other toxic substances in the production 
or formulation of their cleaning products. 
All commercial establishment such as jewelry shops and other retail outlets and 
ambulant vendors are prohibited from selling and/or dispensing unregistered and/or unlabeled 
silver-jewelry cleaning solutions/agents. 
SEC. 3. It is hereby mandated that all silver-jewelry cleaning solutions/agents be tested by the 
Department of Trade and Industry and or Department of Health to ensure that they are cyanide 
free before being sold in the Philippine market. 
SEC. 4. Penal Provisions – Any person, whether juridical or natural, caught producing silver-
jewelry cleaning solutions/agents that contain cyanide or other toxic substances shall be held 
liable to pay a fine of not less than Five hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000) nor more than 
One Million Pesos (P1,000,000) and imprisonment of not less than five (5) years nor more 
than ten (10) years. 
Any person, whether juridical or natural, caught selling unregistered and/or unlabeled 
silver-jewelry cleaning solutions/agents or those that were not tested by the proper authorities 
shall be held liable to pay a fine of not less than Five hundred Thousand Pesos (P500,000) 
nor more than One Million Pesos (P1,000,000) and imprisonment of not less than five (5) years 
nor more than ten (10) years. 
SEC. 5. Implementing Rules – The Department of Health and the Department of Trade and 
Industry shall issue such orders, rules and regulations and other issuances as may be 
necessary to ensure the effective implementation of this Act. 
SEC. 6. Separability Clause – If for any reason, any part of or provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, such parts not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
SEC. 7. Repealing Clause – Any law, executive order, letter of instruction, rules and 
regulations, circulars, issuances or any part thereof inconsistent with any of the provisions of 
this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
SEC. 8. Effectivity – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least 
two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
7660