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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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SENATE 
S.No. *-> a 9 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 11, Section 15 provides: 
The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and 
instill health consciousness among them. 
Prenatal exposure to alcohol can cause a range of disorders, known as fetal alcohol 
spectrum disorders (FASDs). One of the most severe effects of drinking during pregnancy is 
fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). FAS is one of the leading known preventable causes of mental 
retardation and birth defects. If a woman drinks alcohol during her pregnancy, her baby can be 
born with FAS, a lifelong condition that causes physical and mental disabilities. FAS is 
characterized by abnormal facial features, growth deficiencies, and central nervous system 
(CNS) problems. People with FAS might have problems with learning, memory, attention span, 
communication, vision, hearing, or a combination of these. These problems often lead to 
difficulties in school and problems getting along with others. 
FAS is a permanent condition. It affects every aspect of an individual's life and the lives 
of his or her family. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) is an umbrella term describing the 
range of effects that can occur in an individual whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. 
These effects include physical, mental, behavioral, andor learning disabilities with possible 
lifelong implications. 
In February 2005, the US. Surgeon General issued an Advisory on Alcohol Use in 
Pregnancy to raise public awareness about this important health concern. To reduce prenatal 
alcohol exposure, prevention efforts should target not only pregnant women who are currently 
drinking, but also women who could become pregnant, are drinking at high-risk levels, and are 


having unprotected sex. This bill aims to increase awareness of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and 
lessen its incidence. 
NIRIAM 
DEFE&OR SANTIA~O 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUSLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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SENATE 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
PREVENTING THE DANGERS OF ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION 
IN CAUSING FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME IN MOTHERS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Fetal Alcohol Syndrome 
Warning Act of 2008.” 
SECTION 2. Definition ofterms. -As used in this Act, the term- 
(A) “Fetal Alcohol Syndrome” or FAS is a disorder of permanent birth defects that 
occurs in the offspring of women who drink alcohol during pregnancy. The main effect of FAS 
is permanent central nervous system damage, especially the brain. Developing brain cells and 
structures are underdeveloped or malformed by prenatal alcohol exposure, often creating an 
array of primary cognitive and functional disabilities (including poor memory, attention deficits, 
impulsive behavior, and poor cause-effect reasoning) as well as secondary disabilities; 
(B) “Alcoholic beverage” is any drink containing ethanol, commonly known as alcohol, 
which is a psychoactive drug, with a depressant effect; and 
(C) “Depaxtment” means the Department of Health; 
SECTION 3. Packnging Requirement. - Any person who offers any alcoholic beverage 
for sale shall include a clear, conspicuous, and easily readable label on the packaging or warning 
in the business establishment stating: 
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WARNING: Consumption of alcohol, spirits, wine or beer shortly 
before conception or during pregnancy can cause birth defects, including 
fetal alcohol syndrome and alcohol related neurological disorders. 
SECTION 4. Penalties. - The Department is empowered to establish and assess penalties 
or fines against an employer for violations of this Act or regulations adopted under this Act. In 
no circumstance will any penalties or fines exceed Ten Thousand Pesos (Pl0,OOO.OO) for each 
day the permit holder remains in violation. 
SECTION 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision, or part hereof is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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