THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES } 
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§ENATE 
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Senate Bill No. 
Introduced by Senator Madrigal 
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NOTE 
In light of current advances and developments in the field of biotechnology, 
the food that we human beings currently consume is atypical due to the fact that such 
is no longer produced the traditional way. 
Through the process of genetic engineering, where the genetic mak over of 
materials are manipulated via biochemical techniques so as to imbue the sa e with 
specific genes producing desired traits - genetically modified organisms (G Os) are 
thus “engineered” so as to produce higher crop yields, reducing crop losses to insects, 
disease and pos-harvest storage problems, and enhancing its nutritional value. 4 
However, in producing such GMOs, it is beyond contestation that some of the 
genes or components introduced to provide the mentioned results are “foreign” in the 
sense that they are talcen or sourced from “non-food” organisms. Typically expressed 
at high levels, is it likewise uncontroverted that unexpected interactions do occur 
between such “foreign genes” and the genes of the host organisms which, as a result, 
creates new toxins or allergens, or modifies the concentration of existing ones inter 
alia. 
In view of the same, more and more evidences are arising which reflects the 
existence of potential risks in consuming such GMOs as food. For as advanced as the 
technology in genetic engineering may seem, it nevertheless admits that it is still 
deficient in accurately predicting the long-term impacts such GMOs has on human 
health. 
Hence, in light of the policy of the State embodied in Article I1 Section 15 of 
the 1987 Philippine Constitution which provides that, “the State shall protect and 
promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among 
them” - it is imperative that the precautionary measure of informing consumers that 
food products they are purchasing contains or is composed of GMOs and likewise, of 
the potential rislcs consuming the same begets be undertaken. 
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In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly’sought: 
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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES } 
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First Regular Session 
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A T E  1763 
Senate Bill No. 
Introduced by Senator Madrigal 
AN ACT 
REQUIRING THE MANDATORY LABELING OF FOOD AND PRODUCTS 
PRODUCED BY GENETIC ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIES, AMENDING 
FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NUMBER THREE THOUSAND 
SEVEN HUNDRED AND TWENTY OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “THE 
FOOD, DRUGS AND COSMETICS ACT” AND REPUBLIC ACT NUMBER 
SEVEN THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED NINETY FOUR OTHERWISE 
KNOWN AS “THE CONSUMERS ACT OF THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES” 
CONTAINING 
GENETICALLY-MODIFIED ORGANISMS OR THOSE 
Be tt enacted by the Senate and House of Representatzves of the Pbzlz znes zn 1 
Congress assem bled. 
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SECTION 1. Declavatzon of P o l q  - It is hereby declared the policy of the 
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State to protect and promote the right to health of the people and to instill health 
consciousness among them. It shall also protect and advance the right of the people to 
a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. 
To this end, the State shall endeavor to provide to the Filipino people safe and 
healthy food and food products that will not put their health at risk and place the 
environment in jeopardy as a result of fast-paced development in food manufacturing 
that utilizes the process and products of genetic engineering technologies. 
SEC. 2. Mandatory Labeling of Food and Food Products Contazning Genetically 
Modified Organisms. - It is hereby declared that food and food products containing 
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genetically modified organisms as well as those produced by genetic engineering 
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technologies shall be labeled in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the 
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existing regulations issued by the concerned department. 
SEC. 3. Minimum Labehg -Article 77 of Republic Act No. 7394, otherwise 
as the Consumers Act of the Philippines, is hereby amended to read as follows: 
“ART. 77. Minimum Labeling Requirements f i r  Consumer 
products. - All consumer products domestically sold whether 
manufactured locally or imported shall indicate the following in their 
respective labels of packaging: 
a) its correct and registered trade name or band name; 
b) its duly registered trademark; 
c) its duly registered business name; 
d) the address of the manufacturer, importer, re-packer of the 
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consumer product in the Philippines. 
e) Its general make or active ingredients, INDICATING 
PARTICULARLY 
WHETHER 
IT 
CONTAINS 
GENETICALLY-MODIFIED ORGANISMS O R  IS 
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PRODUCT 
OF 
GENETIC 
ENGINEERIN 
TECHNOLOGIES; 
f) The net quantity of contents, in terms of weight, measure or 
numerical count rounded to at least the nearest tenths in the 
metric systems; 
g) Country of manufacture, if imported; and 
h) 1s a consumer product is manufactured, refilled or repaclred 
under license from a principal, the label shall SO State the 
fact.” 
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a) whether it is flammable or inflammable; 
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b) directions for use, if necessary; 
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c) warning of toxicity, AND ALLERGICITY ESPECIALLY IF 
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ITS 
CONTAINS 
GENETICALLY-MODIFIED 
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ORGANISMS OR IS A PRODUCT OF GENETIC 
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ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIES; 
“The following may be required by the concerned department 
in accordance with the rules and regulations they will promulgate 
under authority of this Act: 
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e) process of manufacture used, ESPECIALLY IF IT 
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INVOLVES 
GENETIC 
ENGINEERING 
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TECHNOLOGIES. 
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d) wattage, voltage or amperes; or 
“Any-word, statement or other information required by or 
under authority of the preceding paragraph shall appear on the label or 
labeling with such conspicuousness as compared with other words 
statements, designs or devices therein, and in such terms as to render it 
likely to be read and understood by the ordinary individual under 
customary conditions of purchase and use.” 
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“The above requirements shall form an integral part of the lab 1 
without danger of being erased or detached under ordinary handling f 
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the product.” 
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as follows: 
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SEC. 4. Additional Labeling Requirements. - Article 84 of Republic Act NO. 7394, 
otherwise lcnown as the Consumers Act of the Philippines, is hereby amended to read 
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“ART. 84. Additional Labeling requirements for Food AND 
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FOOD 
PRODUCTS - The following 
additional 
labeling 


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b) whether the consumer product is NATURAL OR 
UNPROCESSED, WITH GENETICALLY-MODIFIED 
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NATURALLY-GROWNIFRESH FOOD OR FOOD 


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PRODUCT 
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WHEN IT IS IN FACT CONTAINING 
GENETICALLY-MODIFIED ORGANISMS OR IS A 
PRODUCT 
OF 
GENETIC 
ENGINEERING 
TECHNOLOGIES; 
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d) if its container is so made, formed or filled as to be 
misleading; 
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e) if in package form unless it bears a label containing (1) th 
name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, 
distributor; and (2) an accurate statement of the quantiry of 
the contents in terms of weight, measure, numerical count: 
Provided, That under clause (2) of this paragraph reasonable 
variations shall be permitted, and exemptions as to small 
packages shall be established, by regulations to be prescribed 
by the Secretary BUT NOT IN CASE OF FOOD OR 
FFOR PRODUCTS CONTAINING GENETICALLY- 
MODIFIED ORGANISMS 0 THOSE PRODUCED 
FROM GENETIC ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIES; 
f) if any word, statement, or other information required by or 
under authority of this Act to appear on the label or labeling 
is 
not 
prominently 
placed 
thereon 
with 
such 
conspicuousness (as compared with other words, statements, 
designs, or devices in the labeling), and in such terms as to 
render it likely to be read and understood by the ordinary 
individual under customary conditions or purchase and use 
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definition and standard of identity has been prescribe 
unless (1) it conforms to such definitions and standard, and 1 
g) If it purports to be or is represented as a food for which a 


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(2) its label bears the name of the food specific in the 
definition and standard, in so far as may be required by such 
regulations, the common names of optional ingredients 
(other than spices, flavoring, and coloring) present in such 
food; 
h) If it supports to be or is represented as - 
1. a food for which a standard of quality has been 
prescribed by regulations as provided by Section 
thirteen (SEC 13), and its quality falls below suc 
standard, unless its label bears, in such manner an 
form as such regulations specify, a statement, that it falls 
below such standard; or 
a food for which a standard of fill of container have 
been prescribed by regulations as provided by Section 
thirteen (SEC 13) and it falls below standard of fill of 
container applicable thereto, unless the label bears, in 
such manner and form as such regulations specify, 
statement that it falls below such standard. 
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2. 
i) if is not subject to the provisions of paragraph (g) if this 
section unless its label bears (1) the common or usual name 
of the food, if there be any, and (2) in case it is fabricated 
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from two or more ingredients, the common or usual name 
of the ingredients; except that spices, flavorings and 
colorings, other than those sold as such, may be designated 
as spices, flavorings and colorings without naming each; 
Provided That to the extend that compliance with the 
requirements of clause (2) of this paragraph is impracticab e 
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or deception or unfair competition, exemptions shall be 
established by regulations promulgated by the Secretary; 
If it is not subject to the provisions of paragraph (g) of this 
section unless its label bears the common or usual name of 
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the food, if there be any, and (2) in case it is fabricated from 
two or more ingredients, the common or usual name of each 
such ingredient; except that spices, flavorings and colorings, 
other than those sold as such, may be designated as spices, 
flavorings or colorings without naming each: Provided, That 
to the extent that compliance with the requirements of 
clause (2) of this paragraph is impracticable or deception o 
unfair competition, exemptions shall be established b 
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IC) If it bears or contains any artificial flavoring, artificial 
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coloring, or chemical preservatives, unless it bears labeling 
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stating that fact: Provided, That to the extent that 
regulations promulgated by the Secretary; 
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compliance with the requirements of this paragraph or 
paragraphs (g) and (I) with respect to artificial coloring shall 
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not apply in the case of butter, cheese or ice cream. 
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1) 
IF IT BEARS OR CONTAINS ANY GENETICALLY- 
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MODIFIED ORGANISM (S) OR IS PRODUCED 
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FROM GENETIC ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIES, 
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UNLESS IT BEARS LABELING STATING THAT 
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FACT.” 
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-SEC. 6. Iniippplicability ofRegulation-Making Exemptions. - Due to the urgent 
and extreme public necessity of this Act and the need to keep the public adequately 
and to preserve the right of the consumers to choose, the power of the Secretary to 


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make exemptions to the regulations as specified in the Consumer Act of the 
Philippines and the Food, Drugs and Cosmetic Act is hereby rendered inapplicable 
unless it can be shown that public order, public health and public safety is not placed 
in jeopardy with its actual application and implementation. 
SEC. 7. Penalties. -Any person who shall violate any provision of this Act or 
its implementing rules and regulations shall upon conviction, be subject to a fine of 
not less than one hundred thousand pesos (P100,OOO.OO) and imprisonment ranging 
from six years and one day to twelve years, or both, subject to the discretion of the 
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SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary, in consultation 
with the concerned business and industry representatives, government agencies, civil 
society organizations and peoples organizations, shall promulgate the necessary 
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. 
SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and reg lations, 
policies, programs or parts thereof, that are inconsistent with any of the prov sions of 
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this Act, are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
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SEC. 10. Separability Clause. - If for any reason, any section or provisions of 
this Act is declared to be unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions 
hereof, which are not affected hereby, shall continue in full force and effect. 
SEC. 11. Effectivity. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
publication in the Oficial Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,