SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SENlla26 
S,No.~~~_ 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
'i '5 
JUN --8 P' 4 :36 
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TO PROHIBIT THE IMPORTATION OF PRODUCTS MADE WITH DOG OR 
CAT FUR, TO PROHIBIT THE SALE, MANUFACTURE, OFFER FOR SALE, 
TRANSPORTATION, AND DISTRIBUTION OF PRODUCTS MADE WITH 
DOG OR CAT FUR IN THE PHILIPPINES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
An estimated 2,000,000 dogs and cats are slaughtered and sold annually as part 
of the international fur trade. Internationally, dog and cat fur is used in a wide variety 
of products, including fur coats and jackets, fur-trimmed garments, hats, gloves, 
decorative accessories, stuffed animals, and other toys. 
Dog and cat fur, when dyed, are not easily distinguishable from other furs, such 
as fox, rabbit, coyote, wolf, and mink. Dog and cat fur are generally less expensive 
than other types of fur and may be used as a substitute for more expensive types of 
furs, Foreign fur producers use dogs and cats bred for their fur, and also use strays and 
stolen pets, The methods of housing, transporting, and slaughtering dogs and cats for 
fur production are generally unregulated and inhumane. 
The purposes of this bill are: 
I) to prohibit the sale, manufacture, offer for sale, transportation, and 
distribution in the Philippines of dog and cat fur products; 
2) to require accurate labeling of fur species so that consumers in the 
Philippines can make informed choices; and 
3) to prohibit the trade in, both imports and exports of, dog and cat fur 
1 


products, to ensure that the Philippine market does not encourage the slaughter of dogs 
or cats for their fur, and to ensure that the purposes of this Act are not undermined. l 
1 This bill was originally filed in the Thirteenth Congress, Third Regular Session. 
2 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
'1", 
JUN ,,8 P 4 :36 
SENATE 
___________ 
S_,_N_O_, _2_8_2_6 ________ 
',_' ;'_:'_"_:I_\'_I:_! ,'_in': ---6--' 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
TO PROHIBIT THE IMPORTATION OF PRODUCTS MADE WITH DOG OR CAT 
FUR, TO PROHIBIT THE SALE, MANUFACTURE, OFFER FOR SALE, 
TRANSPORTATION, AND DISTRIBUTION OF PRODUCTS MADE WITH DOG OR 
CAT FUR IN THE PHILIPPINES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of the Representative of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
1 
SECTION I. Short Title, - This Act shall be known as the "Dog and Cat 
2 
Protection Act", 
3 
SECTION 2, Definition of Terms, - "For purposes of this Act, the term: 
4 
1) "Cat fur" refers to the pelt or skin of any animal of the species felis calus; 
5 
2) "Commerce" refers to any transportation for sale, trade, or use on the 
6 
Philippine territory, and any place outside thereof; 
7 
3) "Dog or Cat Fur Product" refers to any item of merchandise which consists, or 
8 
is composed in whole or in part, of any dog fur, cat fur, or both; 
9 
4) "Dog fur" refers to the pelt or skin of any animal of the species canis 
10 
familiaris; 
11 
5) "Duly Authorized Officer" refers to any Customs officer, any agent of the 
12 
National Bureau of Investigation, or any agent or other person authorized by law or 
13 
designated by the Secretary to enforce the provisions of this Act; 
14 
6) "Interested Party" refers to any person having a contractual, financial, 
15 
humane, or other interest; 
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1 
7) "Person" includes any individual, partnership, corporation, association, 
2 
organization, business trust, government entity, or other entity; and 
3 
8) "Secretary" refers to the Secretary of Trade and Industry. 
4 
SECTION 3. Prohibitions.-
5 
(a) Prohibition on Manufacture, Sale, and Other Activities. - No person in the 
6 
Philippines or subject to the jurisdiction of the Philippines may introduce into commerce, 
7 
manufacture for introduction into commerce, sell, trade, or advertise in commerce, offer 
8 
to sell, or transport or distribute in commerce, any dog or cat fur product. 
9 
(b) Imports and Exports. - No dog or cat fur product may be imported into, or 
10 
exported from, the Philippines. 
11 
SECTION 4. Labeling. - This Act shall not apply to articles exempt by reason of 
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the relatively small quantity or value of the fur or used fur contained therein. 
13 
SECTION 5. En/orcement. -
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(a) In General. - The Secretary, either independently or in cooperation with local 
15 
government units, and interested parties, is authorized to carry out operations and 
16 
measures to eradicate and prevent the activities prohibited by Section 3. 
17 
(b) Inspections. - A duly authorized officer may, upon his own initiative or upon 
18 
the request of any interested party, detain for inspection and inspect any product, 
19 
package, crate, or other container, including its contents, and all accompanying 
20 
documents to determine compliance with this Act. 
21 
(c) Seizures and Arrests. - If a duly authorized officer has reasonable cause to 
22 
believe that there has been a violation of this Act or any regulation issued under this Act, 
23 
such officer may search and seize, with or without a warrant, the item suspected of being 
24 
the subject of the violation, and may arrest the owner of the item. An item so seized shall 
25 
be held by any person authorized by the Secretary pending disposition of civil or criminal 
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1 
proceedings. 
2 
(d) Burden of Proof. - The burden of proof shall lie with the owner to establish 
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that the item seized is not a dog or cat fur product subject to forfeiture and civil penalty 
4 
under Section 6. 
5 
(e) Action by National Bureau of Investigation. - Upon presentation by a duly 
6 
authorized officer or any interested party of credible evidence that a violation of this Act 
7 
or any regulation issued under this Act has occurred, the National Bureau ofInvestigation 
8 
with jurisdiction shall investigate the matter and shall take appropriate action under this 
9 
Act. 
10 
(f) Citizen Suits. - Any person may commence a civil suit to compel the Secretary 
II 
to implement and enforce this Act, or to enjoin any person from taking action in violation 
12 
of any provision of this Act or any regulation issued under this Act. 
13 
(g) Reward. - The Secretary may pay a reward to any person who furnishes 
14 
information which leads to an arrest, criminal conviction, civil penalty assessment, or 
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forfeiture of property for any violation of this Act or any regulation issued wIder this 
16 
Act. 
17 
(h) Regulations. -
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(1) In General. - The Secretary shall issue final regulations, after notice and 
19 
opportunity for public comment, to implement this Act within 180 days after the 
20 
date of enactment of this Act. 
21 
(2) Fees. - The Secretary may charge reasonable fees for expenses to the 
22 
Government connected with permits or certificates authorized by this Act, 
23 
including expenses for--processing applications; reasonable inspections; and the 
24 
transfer, handling, or storage of evidentiary items seized and forfeited under 
25 
this Act. 
26 
All fees collected pursuant to this paragraph shall be deposited III the 
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1 
National Treasury in an account specifically designated for enforcement of this 
2 
Act and available only for that purpose. 
3 
SECTION 6. Penalties.-
4 
(a) Civil Penalty. - Any person who violates any provision of this Act or 
5 
any regulation issued under this Act may be assessed a civil penalty of not more than 
6 
P20,OOO for each violation. 
7 
(b) Criminal Penalty. - Any person who knowingly violates any provision of this 
8 
Act or any regulation issued under this Act shall be subject to imprisonment of one year 
9 
but not more than three years. 
10 
(c) Forfeiture. - Any dog or cat fur product that is the subject of a violation of this 
]] 
Act or any regulation issued under this Act shall be subject to seizure and forfeiture to the 
12 
same extent as any merchandise imported in violation of the customs laws. 
13 
Cd) Injunction. - Any person who violates any provision of this Act or any 
14 
regulation issued under this Act may be enjoined from further sales of any fur products. 
]5 
(e) Applicability. - The penalties in this section apply to violations occurring on or 
]6 
after the date of enactment of this Act. 
17 
SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or 
18 
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other 
19 
provisions hereof. 
20 
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, and issuances, or 
21 
portions thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby 
22 
repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
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1 
SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
2 
its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
/mat4June20 15 
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