SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATj: 
S. No. 
1~44 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
:.s~ttilh' 
(~Hl(f uf tip! ~(n1M¥ 
'13 
I\U6 22 P5:1 0 
Republic Act No. 9147, also known as the "Wildlife Resources Conservation and 
Protection Act," provides that it shall be the policy of the State to conserve the country's wildlife 
resources and their habitats for sustainability. 
According to a study conducted in the United States, the ethics of hunting involves the 
consideration of fair chase, which allows the animal the opportunity to avoid the hunter. The 
study also showed that since exotic animals are clustered in a captive setting at unusually high 
densities, these animals attract disease more readily than more widely dispersed native species 
who roam freely. Thus, the transportation of captive exotic animals to commercial hunt 
operations can facilitate the spread of diseases across great distances. 
This bill seeks to prohibit the transfer, transport, or possession of a confined exotic 
animal, for the purposes of allowing the killing or injuring of that animal for entertainment or for 
the collection of a trophy.' 
~\w ~~,~ 
__ J~ 
.r;JIY' MIRIAM DEF~'1S0R S~TI~O 
• This bill was originally filed in the FOUlteenth Congress, Second Regular Session. 
1 


, 
, 
1 
2 
.$rlwtl' 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
{!i}ih;r tlf tile- ~~'rrtpbf'4 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
"13 
AUG 22 P5 :10 
SENi~44 
S.No. ___ _ 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
PROHIBITING CERTAIN CONDUCT RELATING TO EXOTIC ANIMALS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
3 
SECTION I. Short Title. - This Act may be cited as the "Exotic Animal Protection Act." 
4 
SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the term: 
5 
(A) 
"Confined exotic animal" shall refer to "exotic species," as defined under 
6 
Republic Act No. 9147 or the "Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act," that has 
7 
been held in captivity, whether or not the defendant knows the length of the captivity, for the 
8 
shorter of the majority of the animal's life, or a period of one (l) year, whicheveris lesser; 
9 
(B) 
"Captivity" does not include any period during which an animal lives as it would 
lOin the wild surviving primarily by foraging for naturally occurring food; roaming at will over an 
11 
open area of not less than 400 hectares; and having the opportunity to avoid hunters; and 
12 
(C) 
"Secretary" shall refer to the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources. 
13 
SECTION 3. Transport or Possession of Exotic Animals for Purpose of Killing or 
14 
Injuring Them. - Whoever knowingly transfers, transports, or possesses a confined exotic 
15 
animal, for the purpose of allowing the killing or injuring of that animal for entertainment or for 
16 
the collection of a trophy, shall be punished by a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos 
17 
(P50,000.00), and imprisonment of not more than two (2) years. This provision shall not apply to 
18 
the killing or injuring of an exotic animal in a government natural area reserve undeliaking 
19 
habitat restoration. 
1 


, 
I 
SECTION 4. Enforcement. - Any person authorized by the Secretary of Environment and 
2 
Natural Resources (DENR) may: 
3 
(A) 
Without a warrant, arrest auy person that violates this Act (including regulations 
4 
promulgated pursuaut to this Act) in the presence or view of the arresting person; 
5 
(B) 
Execute any warrant or other process issued by an officer or court of competent 
6 
jurisdiction to enforce this Act; and 
7 
(C) 
With a search warrant, search for and seize any animal taken or possessed in 
8 
violation of this Act. 
9 
SECTION 5. Forfeiture. - Any auimal seized with or without a search warrant shall be 
-
10 
--
held by the Secretary, and upon conviction of the defendant, shall be forfeited in favor of the 
---
'-
11 
c 
government and disposed of by the Secretary, in accordauce with law. 
~ 
c c 
12 
SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days after the 
13 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to 
14 
implement this Act. 
15 
16 
SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or 
17 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
18 
valid aud subsisting. 
19 
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
20 
order, letter of instruction, administrative cirder, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
21 
with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
22 
SECTION 9. 
~lrectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
23 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
2