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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
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Introduced bv Senator Antonio “Sonnv” F. Trillanes IV 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill is submitted bearing in mind that it is the policy of the State to protect the 
interest of the people for clean, pure, and healthy food. Likewise, the recognition that the 
government must ensure compliance with international standards of good manufacturing 
and hygienic practices by institutionalizing a Halal System for food, non-food products 
and services is one way of fulfilling the commitment with the State policy. Most 
important of all is the fact that this bill is accorded in recognition in respect to the rich 
tradition and way of life of the Filipino Muslims. 
Among the highlights of this legislation are as follows: 
The establishment of a Philippine Halal Accreditation and Regulatory Board 
which will be responsible for the formulation, drafting, management and 
implementation of programs relevant to manufacturing, production, distribution, 
preparation, handling, storage, and verification of halal approved-food, non-food 
merchandise, and services; 
It provides as well as informs the people of the basic culture characterizing the 
Muslims society, which includes 1) that food or products or their ingredients must 
not contain any components of animals and carrion that are prohibited under 
Sharia’h Law or animals that are not slaughtered according to the Sharia’h Law; 
2) that the food or products does not contain ingredients that are considered 
Haram or Najis by Sharia’h Law; 3) that the food or product is not prepared, 
processed, or manufactured using equipment that has been contaminated with 
Haram or Najis; 4) the labeling of products that are certified as Halal or its 
equivalent term and should not be used in ways which could give rise to doubt 
about the safety of similar food or to claims that Halal foods are nutritionally 
superior to or healthier than other foods. 
It institutionalizes a national standard at par with the world accepted Halal 
standards ordained in advanced Muslim societies and the same to be observed in 
all abattoirs, outlets, hotels, restaurants, and other service establishments. 
Early cognizance of this bill and earnest immediate enactment is requested 
AN qi&-+-t4\- 
0 0 “SONNY” F.TRILLANES IV 
Senator 
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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF TBE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
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SENATE 
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Introduced by Senator Antonio “Sonny” F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
CREATING 
THE 
PHIJJPPINE 
HALAL 
ACCREDITATION 
AND 
REGULATORY BOARD AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Philippine Halal Act of 
2008. ” 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect the interest 
for clean and pure food. Towards this end, the State shall ensure compliance with 
international standards of good manufacturing and hygienic practices by institutionalizing 
a Halal system for food, non-food products and services, in response to the growing 
demands for Halal products both in the local and international market. 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. -As used in this Act: 
a. Shariah Law - means the Islamic law based on the Al-Quran, Al-hadith 
(Traditions of the Messenger of Allah), Ijma (Consensus of Islamic Scholars), and 
Qiyas (Legal Deduction or Analogy) according to the Shafei or anyone of the 
Hanafi, Maliki, or Hanbali Schools of Thought which have been practiced by 
countries where these guidelines have been implemented. 
b. Halal - means “lawful,” as pertaining to food and other products for human 
consumption and services permitted under Shariah Law. 
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c. Haram - means “unlawful,” as pertaining to food, beverage, and other products 
not allowed for human consumption such as carrion, najis, intoxicating 
preparations containing alcohol as well as services prohibited under Shariah Law, 
d. Halal system - means the comprehensive systems, standards, and procedures 
providing the mechanism for the development, promotion, monitoring, and 
regulation of halal trade. 
e. Accreditation - the procedure by which an authoritative body grants formal 
recognition, under duly established guidelines and rules, to another body that it is 
competent to carry out specific tasks. 
f. Certification - third party attestation related to products, processes, systems, or 
persons. 
g. Islamic organization - means qualified Muslim organization engaged in the 
inspection, audit, and halal certification of food and non-food products, 
establishments, and services. 
h. Carrion - as defined by Shariah Law, means the flesh of swine, dogs, cats, 
reptiles, amphibians and predatory animals; flesh of dead animals that have been 
sacrificed to idols, blood; flesh partly consumed by beasts and birds of prey; and 
dead or decaying flesh of animals felled by strangulation, beating, or goring. 
i. Najis - as defined by Shariah Law, means things that are themselves filthy and 
cannot be cleaned like: pork, blood, and carrion, as well as lawful food that has 
been contaminated or has come in contact with filth. 
SEC. 4. General Guidelines. - For purposes of this Act, the following are established 
General Guidelines for the food, beverage, cosmetics, garments and textile, and other 
concerned industries on the preparation, handling, storage and verification of Halal 
products to serve as basic requirements for certification including Halal abattoirs, outlets, 
and other service establishments: 
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a. The food or product or their ingredient must not contain any components of 
animals and carrion that are prohibited under Shariah Law or animals that are not 
slaughtered according to Shariah Law. 
b. The food or product does not contain ingredients that are considered Haram or 
Hajis by Shariah Law, 
c. The food or product is not prepared, processed, or manufactured using equipment 
that has been contaminated with Haram or Najis. 
d. During its preparation, processing, storage, or transportation, the food or product 
is fully separated from, and does not come in contact with, any other food or 
product that has been decreed Haram or Najis by Shairah Law or does not meet 
the requirements stated in items (a), (b), or (c) above. 
e. Service establishments such as, but not limited to, hotels, restaurants, resorts, and 
similar service facilities purposely established for and catering to the public, 
particularly Muslim patrons; and abattoirs, factories, and similar establishment 
purposely producing Halal goods shall conform to the Philippine National 
Standards for Halal as provided for under Section 12 of this Act. 
f. Labels of products that are certified Halal shall contain the word “Halal” or its 
equivalent term and should not be used in ways which could give rise to doubt 
about safety of similar food or to claims that Halal foods are nutritionally superior 
to, or healthier than, other foods. 
These guidelines shall be used together with the country’s existing provisions of law 
on the preparation, processing, manufacturing of food and non-food and other products in 
accordance with health, hygiene, and sanitation standards and good manufacturing 
practices. 
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SEC. 5. Phillppine Halal Accreditation and Regulatoy Board. - There is hereby 
created a Philippine Halal Accreditation and Regulatory Board, hereinafter referred to as 
the Board. 
The Board shall be primarily responsible for the formulation, management, and 
implementation of the Philippine Halal Accreditation and Regulation Standards in the 
country. It shall be attached to the Office of the President and shall be composed of the 
Governing Council, Accreditation Committee and the Board Secretariat. 
SEC. 6. Governing Council. - The Governing Council shall be composed of the 
following: 
a.. Two (2) Muslim scholars appointed by the President upon the recommendation 
of concerned Islamic organizations; 
b. Secretary of Trade and Industry or his duly authorized representative; 
c. Secretary of Agriculture or his duly authorized representative; and 
d. Executive Director of the Office on Muslim Affairs or his duly authorized 
representative. The two (2) Muslim scholars shall serve for a term of two (2) 
years and may be re-appointed by the President; Provided, That no person may be 
appointed to serve for more than two (2) consecutive terms. 
,The Governing Council shall be headed by the Secretary of Trade and Industry as 
Chairman and a Co-Chairman who shall be appointed by the President from the two (2) 
Muslim scholar members of the Governing Council. 
SEC. 7. Powers and Functions of the Governing Cocmccll. - The Governing 
Council shall have the following powers and functions: 
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a. Promulgate rules and regulations as necessary or proper for the 
accomplishment of its purposes and objectives, including guidelines and 
standards for the board's operation and the success of the Halal voluntary 
accreditation and regulation scheme; 
b. Issue criteria to be used in the assessment and review for the voluntary 
accreditation of applicant Islamic organization. 
c. Supervise, regulate, grant, and deny or cancel Halal accreditation of any 
Islamic organization or order its temporary suspension for failure to comply 
with or violation of the provisions of this Act, or any law, order, rules or 
regulations, whenever such action is necessary to the best interest of the 
public; 
d. Investigate, decide, and settle all complaints, controversies, or disputes arising 
out of or connected with Halal system in accordance with the rules and 
procedures that may be adopted; 
e. Levy, assess and collect, and periodically adjust and/or revise the rates of fees 
and charges for the issuance of accreditation; 
f. Oversee the funds for the operation of the Board, 
g. Establish and prescribe policies on complaints and appeals regarding 
accreditation activities; 
h. Represent the Philippines in regional or international meetings, 
i. Form committee(s) to assist the Board on technical matters; and 
j. Perform such other powers and functions as may be prescribed by law, or as 
may be necessary, incidental, or proper to its mandate. 
In the event that an Islamic organization lodges an appeal against any 
accreditation-related decision of the Board, the Governing Council shall establish a three- 
man panel among its members to act on the appeal. 
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SEC. 8. Accreditation Committee. - The Board shall have an Accreditation 
Committee with five (5) members appointed by the Governing Council. It shall be 
composed of three (3) Muslim scholars and two (2) qualified technical personnel. The 
three (3) Muslim scholars shall come from different Muslim religious organizations. The 
two (2) technical personnel shall come from the National Meat Inspection Service 
(NMIS) of the Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) of 
the Department of Health, and other government agencies as may be required. 
SEC. 9. Functions of the Accreditation Cornmillee. - The Accreditation 
Committee shall have the following functions: 
a. Assist in the formulation of accreditation policies and guidelines; 
b. Ensure strict implementation and compliance with Halal accreditation criteria 
by applicant Islamic organizations; 
c. Conduct technical briefings to applicants for Halal accreditation; 
d. Review assessment reports submitted by the accreditation assessment division; 
e. Recommend to the Executive Director the granting or refusal of accreditation to 
applicant Islamic organizations; and 
f. Assist the Executive Director and the Secretariat of the Board as may be 
required. 
SEC. 10. Board Secretariat. - The Board shall have a Secretariat which shall 
furnish the necessary administrative, secretariat, and other support services shall be under 
the direction and supervision of the Executive Director appointed by the President upon 
the recommendation of the Governing Council. The personnel of the Secretariat shall be 
appointed, and their compensation fixed by the Governing Council upon the 
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recommendation of the Executive Director in accordance with Civil Service laws, rules, 
and regulations. 
The Secretariat shall consist of the Assessment Division and the Operations 
Division. 
The Assessment Division shall be composed of qualified assessors to be 
employed by the Board or may be contracted from other non-governmental organization 
or government agencies, depending upon the availability of qualified personnel within the 
Board to perform such fbnction. 
The Operations Division shall be responsible for the administrative and financial 
functions of the Board as may be assigned by the Executive Director. 
SEC. 11. Executive Director; Duties and Responsibilities. - The Executive 
Director shall have the following duties and responsibilities: 
a. Execute, direct, and implement the policies, regulations, and resolutions issued 
by the Board; 
b. Sign under authority of the Governing Council accreditation certificates issued 
to Islamic Organization. 
c. Supervise the Board Secretariat and maintain official records, files, and 
proceedings of the Board; and 
d. Perform other duties as may be required by the Board. 
SEC. 12. PhilZppine National Standards for Halal. - The system guidelines 
established by the Board shall be called the Philippine National Standards for Halal 
hereinafter referred to as the PNS for Halal. 
The PNS for Halal shall provide the specific guidelines for a comprehensive and 
integrated Philippine HalaI system that will govern the extraction, preparation, 
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processing, manufacture and production, packaging, labeling, transportation, storage, 
marketing, and distribution of Halal foods and products as well as the certification of 
Halal abattoirs, outlets, hotels, restaurants, and other service establishments. 
The PSN for Halal shall conform to existing international Halal standards, where 
applicable, and guidelines on Halal shall be the basis for a voluntary accreditation 
system: Provided, That the Board shall submit the Standards to the Bureau of Product 
Standards of the Department of Trade and Industry for promulgation as the official 
Philippine National Standards for Halal. 
Provided, further, That the Board shall submit a final copy of the Philippine 
National Standards for Halal to the Official Gazette for publication. 
SEC. 13. Sanctions. - The Board shall be empowered to formulate rules and 
regulations and impose sanctions to ensure compliance to the Philippine Halal System: 
Provided, That the Board shall take into consideration the pertinent provisions of 
Republic Act No. 4109 otherwise known as the Bureau of Standards Law in the 
formulation and eventual implementation of said rules and regulations. 
Provided, jirther, that the Board, in the formulation of said rules and regulations 
and imposition of sanctions, shall maintain the voluntary character of the Halal 
accreditation system. 
SEC. 14. Transition Perlod - There shall be a transition period of two (2) years 
wherein personnel from the Department of Trade and Industry shall be utilized to 
exercise the functions of the Secretariat. The amount necessary shall be charged against 
the current of the concerned appropriation agencies: Provided, That after such period, the 
amount necessary for its continued implementation shall be appropriated and charged 
against the General Appropriations Act. 
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SEC. 15. Offlee. - The Board shall hold office at the Department of Trade and 
Industry during the transition period or until such time that a permanent office for the 
Board is established. 
SEC. 16. Congressional Oversight Cornminee. - Two (2) years from the 
effectivity of this Act, a Congressional Oversight Committee composed of the Senate 
Committees on Trade and Commerce, Agriculture and Food, Cultural Communities, and 
Finance, and the House of Representatives’ Committees on Trade and Industry, 
Agriculture and Food, Muslim Affairs, and Appropriations shall be constituted for the 
purpose of evaluating the implementation of the Philippine Halal system under the 
supervision of the Board and if warranted, recommend the appropriate legislative 
measures to support, complement, supplement, or amend this Act. 
SEC. 17. Implementing Rules. - The Department of Trade and Industry, in 
coordination with the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) and the Bureau of Food 
and Drugs (BFAD) and other concerned government and nongovernment organizations, 
shall, within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the necessary 
rules and regulations for the enforcement of the provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 18. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act be subsequently 
declared unconstitutional, the other provisions not so declared shall remain in full force 
and effect. 
SEC. 19. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or 
any part thereof, which are inconsistent herewith, are hereby repealed or amended 
accordingly. 
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Philippines. 
SEC. 20. Effectivi@. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in newspaper of general circulation in the 
Approved, 
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