SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
) 
) 
) 
________ 
S_. _NO_. _2_5_9_1 ______ 
:_' __ 
'i".O· . 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE PROPER USE, HANDLING, AND STORAGE OF PEPPER 
SPRAYS IN SCHOOLS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article, Section 5 states: 
The maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty, and property, 
and promotion of the general welfare are essential for the enjoyment by all the people of 
the blessings of democracy. 
The Philippine National Police Directorate for Investigation and Detective 
Management (DIDM) reported an increase in crime rate from January to May 2014. 
According to the DIDM, the total number of crime reported was at 289,198 compared to 
245,347 last year. It was also recently reported by various media that there has been an 
increasing trend in reported rape cases. In 2013, the DIDM data tallied as much as 7,409 
reported rape incidents, or one every 72 minutes. With the increase in number of reported 
crime in the country, it is imperative for people, especially those who are most 
vulnerable, such as women and children, to protect themselves from criminal predators. 
The use of pepper spray is considered a reasonable precaution against 
apprehended danger. There are no laws against the possession or use of pepper spray in 
the Philippines. However, some universities and schools prohibit students from bringing 
pepper spray as means to defend themselves. In fact, these universities consider pepper 
spray as a weapon that could merit a disciplinary sanction for its possession on school 
grounds. 


This bill intends to provide for the regulation and storage of pepper sprays in 
schools. 
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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.No. 
2591 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
) 
JIIN 2R P 4 :18 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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AN ACT 
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PROVIDING FOR THE PROPER USE, HANDLING, AND STORAGE OF PEPPER 
3 
SPRA YS IN SCHOOLS 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Pepper Spray In 
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Schools Regulation Act." 
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SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the term: 
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(A) "Pepper spray" shall mean a pocket-sized spray device which contains and 
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releases a chemical or organic substance which is intended to produce temporary physical 
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discomfort or disability through being vaporized or otherwise dispensed in the air or any 
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like device containing tear gas, pepper spray or similar disabling lachrymatory agent as 
II 
oleoresin capsicum spray (OC), OC gas, and capsicum spray. 
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(B) "School" shall mean secondary and tertiary educational institutions. 
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SECTION 3. Requirement for bringing pepper spray to school. -
Schools shall 
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allow students to bring pepper spray to school upon a written request from the parent or 
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guardian. 
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SECTION 4. Storage. The school, together with the Department of Education 
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(DepEd) or the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Philippine National 
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Police (PNP) shall create guidelines for the proper storage and handling of pepper sprays 
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brought by students. 


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SECTION 5. Information Campaign. It shall be mandatory for the school to have 
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an information campaign on the proper use, handling, and disposal of pepper spray. The 
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DepEd or CHED, in consultation with the PNP, shall create and issue guidelines to 
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schools with regard to the responsible use of pepper spray as a means of self-defense, and 
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other necessary information. 
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SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid 
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or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
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remain valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
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executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to 
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or inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended 
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accordingly. 
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SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
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its pUblication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
Imam! 14January20 15 
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