Enhanced Consumer Act of the Philippine

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 JIL 14 A10:46 SENATE S. No. _ Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada AN ACT GRANTING ENHANCED PROTECTION TO CONSUMERS, FURTHER AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7394 OR THE "CONSUMER ACT OF THE PHILIPPINES," AS AMENDED EXPLANATORY NOTE Article XVI Section 9 of the Constitution provides that the State shall protect consumers from trade malpractices and from substandard or hazardous products. Moreover, Section 11 states that the advertising industry shall be regulated by law for the protection of consumers and the promotion of the general welfare. Enacted in April 1992, Republic Act No. 7394 or the "Consumer Act of the Philippines" is a comprehensive legislation consisting 173 articles divided into six titles aimed to give life to the aforementioned constitutional mandate. It declared as State policy the protection of interests of the consumers and promotion of their welfare, as well as the establishment of standards of conduct for business and industry. The law was amended over the years to address specific concerns of the consuming public. Republic Act No. 11706 established accessible Timbangan ng Bayan Centers in all public and private markets across the country and penalized fraudulent aiteration and tampering of any scale or similar instruments after the official sealing. Meanwhile, Republic Act No. 11765 or the "Financial Products and Services Consumer

Protection Act" repealed several sections of R.A. 7394 to ensure appropriate mechanisms to protect consumers of financial products such as insurance, pre-need and heaith maintenance organization (HMO) products, investments, remittances and related financial services accessed through digital channels, among others. This measure, primarily reported out by the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship during the 19 Congress, seeks to further strengthen the thirty-year-old legislation in response to a more dynamic and globalized trading landscape. First, this bill institutionalizes the eight basic consumer rights, namely: Right to Basic Needs, Right to Choose, Right to be Heard, Right to Redress, Right to Consumer Education, Right to Safety, Right to a Healthy Environment and Right to Information, as embodied under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Policy Advisory No. 22-01, series of 2022 based on prevailing laws and constitutional provisions. The proposed measure also clarifies and defines pseudo-investments or business structures such as "pyramid sales scheme", "Ponzi scheme", "telemarketing fraud" and "technology fraud" and prohibits the employment of such in the sale of consumer products. Lastly, it enhances the minimum standards in product labels to minimize confusion and to adequately guide consumers in patronizing products or services. Under Section 14 of this bill, for instance, products with foreign characters or language shall only be allowed entry into the country if they have English or Filipino translation. This is to enable the authorities to determine whether the product has complied with the labeling requirements and to allow the consumer to properly understand the contents and origin of the products.

In view of upholding the best interests of the Filipino consumers, the passage of this bill is hereby endorsed. HINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 JUL 14 410:46 SENATE S. No. — Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada AN ACT GRANTING ENHANCED PROTECTION TO CONSUMERS, FURTHER AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7394 OR THE "CONSUMER ACT OF THE PHILIPPINES," AS AMENDED 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 "Enhanced Consumer

Act of the Philippines".

Sec. 2. Article 2 of Republic Act No. 7394, as amended, is hereby amended to

read as follows: "Article 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to protect the interests of [the] consumers, promote [his] THEIR general welfare and [to] establish standards of ETHICAL conduct for OFFLINE AND ONLINE business and industry. "Towards this end, the State shall implement measures to achieve the following objectives: "[a) - protection against hazards to health and safety;] "Eb)protection against deceptive, unfair and unconscionable sales acts and practices;]

"[c)provision of information and education to facilitate sound choice and the proper exercise of rights by the consumer; ] "Ed)provision of adequate rights and means of redress; and "[e)involvement of consumer representatives in the formulation of social and economic policies.] "A) DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A STRONG CONSUMER PROTECTION POLICY THAT WILL ENSURE THE ACCESS OF CONSUMERS TO QUALITY, SAFE, AND NON-HAZARDOUS PRODUCTS AND FAIR, EQUITABLE AND SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION; "B) UPHOLD STANDARDS OF ETHICAL CONDUCT FOR INDIVIDUALS ENGAGED IN THE PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF GOODS AND SERVICES TO CONSUMERS, INCLUDING INTERNET TRANSACTIONS; "C) ENCOURAGE SELF-REGULATION IN THE ADVERTISING INDUSTRY TO ENHANCE AND ENSURE CONSUMER PROTECTION THROUGH THE ADOPTION AND OBSERVANCE OF A CODE OF ETHICS CONSISTENT WITH THIS ACT AND ITS IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS; "D) PREVENT ENTERPRISES FROM ENGAGING IN ABUSIVE BUSINESS PRACTICES; "E) FACILITATE THE RECOGNITION OF INDEPENDENT CONSUMER GROUPS; "F) FOSTER INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF CONSUMER PROTECTION; "G) ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT OF MARKET CONDITIONS THAT ARE FREE FROM

HOARDING AND HELP CONSUMERS MAKE WELL- INFORMED CHOICES; AND "H) PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION TO FACILITATE PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION PATTERNS WHICH BALANCE THE RESOURCES AND THE NEEDS OF THE CONSUMERS, THEREBY REDUCING THE RATE OF HOUSEHOLD INSECURITIES."

Sec. 3. A new Article 4 is hereby inserted after Article 3 of Republic Act No.

7394, as amended, and the subsequent articles shall be renumbered accordingly: "ARTICLE 4. CONSUMER RIGHTS. - THE GOVERNMENT, IN MAINTAINING AND STRENGTHENING THE PROMOTION OF CONSUMER INTEREST AND WELFARE IN RELATION TO BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY PRACTICE AS WELL AS THE PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF CONSUMER PRODUCTS, SHALL ADOPT MEASURES AND FORMULATE POLICIES TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE EIGHT (8) BASIC CONSUMER RIGHTS. EVERY CONSUMER SHALL BE ENTITLED TO THE: "A) RIGHT TO BASIC NEEDS - EVERY CONSUMER SHALL HAVE ACCESS TO BASIC AND ESSENTIAL GOODS AND SERVICES, SUCH AS ADEQUATE FOOD, CLOTHING, SHELTER, HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION, PUBLIC UTILITIES, WATER AND SANITATION; "B) RIGHT TO CHOOSE - EVERY CONSUMER SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO SELECT FROM A VARIETY OF GOODS AND SERVICES OFFERED AT COMPETITIVE PRICES, EITHER SOLD IN PERSON OR ONLINE, WITH AN ASSURANCE OF SATISFACTORY QUALITY; "C) RIGHT TO BE HEARD - EVERY CONSUMER SHALL BE ENTITLED TO EXPRESS INTEREST, TO BE

INVOLVED, HEARD, AND CONSIDERED IN THE FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF GOVERNMENT POLICIES; "D) RIGHT TO REDRESS - EVERY CONSUMER SHALL HAVE ACCESS TO APPROPRIATE REMEDIES FOR MISREPRESENTATION, SUBSTANDARD OR DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS OR UNSATISFACTORY SERVICES; "E) RIGHT TO CONSUMER EDUCATION - EVERY CONSUMER SHALL HAVE ACCESS TO KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS NEEDED TO MAKE INFORMED CHOICES AND UNDERSTAND THE ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR DECISIONS THROUGH THE USE OF ALL AVAILABLE AND CONVENIENT MEANS; "F) RIGHT TO SAFETY - EVERY CONSUMER SHALL BE PROTECTED AGAINST HAZARDOUS PRODUCTS, PRODUCTION PROCESSES, AND SERVICES; "G) RIGHT TO A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT - EVERY CONSUMER SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO LIVE AND WORK IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS NEITHER THREATENING NOR DANGEROUS, AND ALLOWS A LIFE OF DIGNITY AND WELL-BEING; AND "H) RIGHT TO INFORMATION - EVERY CONSUMER SHALL BE PROVIDED WITH INFORMATION NECESSARY TO MAKE AN INFORMED CHOICE ON PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AND SHALL BE PROTECTED AGAINST DISHONEST OR MISLEADING ADVERTISING AND LABELING."

Sec. 4. A new Article 5 is hereby inserted after the new Article 4 of Republic Act

No. 7394, as amended, and the subsequent articles shall be renumbered accordingly:

"ARTICLE 5. CONSUMER RESPONSIBILITIES. - IN RELATION TO THE BASIC RIGHTS GRANTED IN THE PRECEDING ARTICLE, EVERY CONSUMER SHALL EXERCISE THE FOLLOWING RESPONSIBILITIES: "A) CRITICAL AWARENESS - EVERY CONSUMER SHALL BE VIGILANT AND INFORMED ABOUT THE USE, PRICE, SOURCE, AND QUALITY OF GOODS AND SERVICES; "B) ACTION - EVERY CONSUMER SHALL ASSERT THE RIGHT TO TAKE ACTION TO ENSURE THAT ONE'S RIGHTS AS A CONSUMER ARE AMPLY PROTECTED; "C) SOCIAL CONCERN - EVERY CONSUMER SHALL BE AWARE OF THE IMPACT OF ONE'S CONSUMPTION ON OTHER CITIZENS ESPECIALLY THE MARGINALIZED GROUPS; "D) ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS - EVERY CONSUMER SHALL BE CONSTANTLY AWARE OF THE IMPACT OF HUMAN ACTIVITY TO THE ENVIRONMENT. THE CONSUMER SHOULD RECOGNIZE THE OBLIGATION OF INDIVIDUALS AND OF SOCIETY IN GENERAL TO UTILIZE NATURAL RESOURCES SUSTAINABLY AND RESPONSIBLY, AND TO SECURE AND PROTECT THE EARTH FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS; AND "E) SOLIDARITY - CONSUMERS SHALL ORGANIZE THEMSELVES INTO GROUPS OR ASSOCIATIONS TO STRENGTHEN THEIR POSITION IN THE FORMULATION OF POLICIES AIMED AT ADVANCING AND PROTECTING THEIR INTERESTS."

Sec. 5. Article 4 (k) of Republic Act No. 7394, as amended, is hereby amended

to read as follows:

"Article [4.] 6. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the term: "k) "Chain distribution plans" [or "pyramid sales schemes" means sales devices whereby a person, upon condition that he makes an investment, is granted by the manufacturer or his representative a right to recruit for profit one or more additional persons who will also be granted such right to recruit upon condition of making similar investments: Provided, That, the profits of the person employing such a plan are derived primarily from the recruitment of other persons into the plan rather than from the sale of consumer products, services and credit: Provided, further, That the limitation on the number of participants does not change the nature of the plan.] OR "PSEUDO-INVESTMENTS" REFER TO ANY BUSINESS STRUCTURE, SALES OR MARKETING PLAN OR SCHEME SUCH AS: "1) "PYRAMID SALES SCHEME" REFERS TO A SALE DEVICE OR PLAN WHEREBY, UPON CONDITION THAT AN INVESTMENT IS MADE BY WAY OF PURCHASING GOODS OR PAYING A FEE, A PERSON IS GRANTED BY A MANUFACTURER OR THE MANUFACTURER'S REPRESENTATIVE THE RIGHT TO SELL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AS WELL AS RECRUIT ONE OR MORE ADDITIONAL PERSONS WHO WILL BE GRANTED SUCH RIGHT TO RECRUIT, UPON CONDITION OF MAKING SIMILAR INVESTMENTS; "2) "PONZI SCHEME" REFERS TO A BUSINESS STRUCTURE OPERATED BY A PERSON OR GROUP, NATURAL OR JURIDICAL, WHERE THERE IS NO TRUE PRODUCT OR SERVICE BEING OFFERED IN EXCHANGE FOR THE INVESTMENT AND WHERE THE MONEY

TENDERED BY NEW INVESTORS ARE PAID TO EARLIER INVESTORS; "3) "TELEMARKETING FRAUD" REFERS TO A SCHEME WHERE HIGH PRESSURE SALES TACTICS ARE MADE OVER THE PHONE WITH THE INTENT TO MAKE THE INVESTOR BUY INTO A FRAUDULENT OR NON- EXISTENT INVESTMENT OFFERING; AND "4) "TECHNOLOGY FRAUD" REFERS TO A SCHEME WHEREIN INVESTORS ARE DECEIVED INTO MAKING PURCHASES OF OR INVESTMENTS ON NON- EXISTENT PRODUCTS, THROUGH THE INTERNET OR DIGITAL PLATFORMS." "xxX."

Sec. 6. A new Article 54 is hereby inserted after the renumbered Article 53 of

Republic Act No. 7394, as amended, and the subsequent articles shall be renumbered accordingly: "ARTICLE 54. BILLING STATEMENTS AND OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS. - BILLING STATEMENTS AND OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS MAY BE SENT IN PRINTED OR ELECTRONIC FORM AT THE OPTION OF AND WITHOUT ANY ADDITIONAL COST TO CONSUMERS. THE CONSUMERS' RIGHT TO SELECT THE MODE IN WHICH THEY RECEIVE THEIR BILLING STATEMENTS AND OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS MAY NOT BE CONDITIONED ON THE VALUE OF THE PRODUCTS OR SERVICES PROVIDED IN THE TRANSACTION."

Sec. 7. Article 53 of Republic Act No. 7394, as amended, is hereby amended to

read as follows: "Article [53.] 56. Chain Distribution Plans or [Pyramid Sales Schemes.] PSEUDO-INVESTMENTS. - Chain distribution plans or [pyramid sales schemes] PSEUDO-

INVESTMENTS shall not be employed in the sale of consumer products."

Sec. 8. Article 64 of Republic Act No. 7394, as amended, is hereby amended to

read as follows: "Article [64.] 67. Fraudulent Practices Relative to Weights and Measures, - The following acts relating to weights and measures are prohibited: "xXX "L) FOR ANY PERSON TO CONCEAL OR DESTROY (1) A FALSE OR COUNTERFEIT SEAL, STICKER, BRAND, STAMP, TAG, CERTIFICATE, LICENSE OR DYE, OR (2) AN ALTERED, TAMPERED, VANDALIZED SCALE, BALANCE, WEIGHT, OR MEASURE TO PREVENT DISCOVERY AND SEIZURE; OR "Il] M) for any person to procure, OR COOPERATE IN, OR PROFIT FROM THE commission of any such offense abovementioned by another. "Instruments officially sealed at some previous time which have remained unaltered and accurate and the seal or tag officially affixed thereto remains intact and in the same position and condition in which it was placed by the official sealer or his duly authorized representative shall, if presented for sealing, be sealed promptly on demand by the official sealer or his authorized representative without penalty except a surcharge fixed by law or regulation."

Sec. 9. Article 76 of Republic Act No. 7394, as amended, is hereby amended to

read as follows: "Article [76.] 79. Prohibited Act on Labeling and Packaging. - It shall be unlawful for any person, either as principal or agent, engaged in the [labeling or packaging] SALE, DISTRIBUTION, MANUFACTURING of any consumer product, to display, SELL, or distribute, or to cause

to be displayed, SOLD, or distributed in commerce any consumer product whose package or label does not conform to the provisions of this chapter. "CONSUMER PRODUCTS THAT DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE DATE LABEL REQUIREMENT SHALL NOT BE SOLD OR DISTRIBUTED IN THE MARKET ONE (1) YEAR UPON THE ENACTMENT OF THIS ACT. "The prohibition in this chapter shall not apply to persons engaged in the business of wholesale or retail distributors of consumer products OR CONSUMER PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY AND DIRECTLY SHIPPED FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO CONSUMER BY MAIL OR OTHER DELIVERY SERVICES except to the extent that such persons: "a) are engaged in the packaging or labeling of such products; "b) prescribe or specify by any means the manner in which such products are packaged or labeled; or "c) having knowledge, refuse to disclose the source of the mislabeled or mispackaged products."

Sec. 10. Article 77 of Republic Act No. 7394, as amended, is hereby amended

to read as follows: "Article [77.] 80. Minimum Labeling Requirements for Consumer Products. - All consumer products domestically sold whether manufactured locally or imported shall indicate the following in their respective labels of packaging: "XXX "g) country of manufacture, if imported; [and] "h) if a consumer product is manufactured, refilled or repacked under license from a principal, the label shall so state the fact; AND

"I) ITS "MANUFACTURING DATE", "EXPIRATION DATE", AND IF APPLICABLE, THE "BEST BEFORE DATE". THE UNIFORM DATE LABEL MUST BE PRINTED CLEARLY AND LEGIBLY ON THE LABEL IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER: MONTH, DAY, AND YEAR. THE DAY AND THE YEAR MUST BE WRITTEN IN FIGURES, WHILE THE MONTH MUST BE WRITTEN IN WORDS. THE TEXT MUST BE IN A SINGLE EASY-TO- READ TYPE STYLE USING UPPER- AND LOWER-CASE LETTERS IN THE STANDARD FORM. THE USE OF "USE- BY", "CONSUMER BEFORE", "BEST IF USED BY" AND OTHER SIMILAR PHRASES SHALL NOT BE USED AS DATE LABELS ON THE PACKAGING OF CONSUMER PRODUCTS. "FOR PURPOSES OF THIS ACT, "MANUFACTURING DATE" REFERS TO THE DATE WHEN THE PRODUCT WAS PRODUCED OR MADE BY THE MANUFACTURER; "BEST BEFORE DATE" REFERS TO THE DATE WHEN THE QUALITY OF THE PRODUCT BEGINS TO DETERIORATE, BUT STILL ACCEPTABLE FOR CONSUMPTION BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE; AND "EXPIRATION DATE" REFERS TO THE DATE STATED ON THE LABEL OF FOOD, DRUG, COSMETIC, OR SIMILAR CONSUMER PRODUCT AFTER THE SAFETY, EFFICACY, QUALITY OR POTENCY MUST HAVE RUN ITS COURSE." "The following may be required by the concerned department in accordance with the rules and regulations they will promulgate under authority of this Act: "XXX."

Sec. 11. Article 84 of Republic Act No. 7394, as amended, is hereby amended

to read as follows:

"Article [84.] 87. Additional Labeling Requirement for Food. - The following additional labeling requirements shall be imposed by the concerned department for food: "a) [expiry or] MANUFACTURING DATE, expiration date, [where] and WHENEVER applicable, THE BEST BEFORE DATE; "xxx."

Sec. 12. Article 86 of Republic Act No. 7394, as amended, is hereby amended

to read as follows: "Article [86.] 89. Labeling of Drugs. - The Generics Act, AND OTHER LAWS AMENDATORY THERETO, shall apply in the labeling of drugs. THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION SHALL ENSURE THAT ALL DRUGS MANUFACTURED AND DISTRIBUTED LOCALLY SHALL HAVE "MANUFACTURING DATE" AND "EXPIRATION DATE" ON THEIR LABELS. THE UNIFORM DATE LABELS REQUIRED MUST BE PRINTED CLEARLY AND LEGIBLY ON THE LABEL IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER: MONTH, DAY AND YEAR. THE DAY AND THE YEAR MUST BE WRITTEN IN FIGURES WHILE THE MONTH MUST BE WRITTEN IN WORDS. THE TEXT MUST BE IN A SINGLE EASY-TO-READ TYPE STYLE USING UPPER- AND LOWER-CASE LETTERS IN THE STANDARD FORM. "FOR PRODUCTS RECONSTITUTED PRIOR TO USE, AND THOSE WHICH CAN BE ADMINISTERED MULTIPLE TIMES, THE LABEL SHALL INCLUDE THE PERIOD OF GUARANTEED SAFETY, EFFICACY, AND QUALITY OF THE RECONSTITUTED PREPARATION AFTER FIRST OPENING AT GIVEN STORAGE CONDITIONS."

Sec. 13. Article 87 of Republic Act No. 7394, as amended, is hereby amended

to read as follows:

"Article [87.] 90. Additional Labeling Requirements for Cosmetics. - The following additional requirements may be required for cosmetics: "a) MANUFACTURING DATE AND expiry or expiration date; "XXX."

Sec. 14. A new Article 92-A is hereby inserted after the renumbered Article 92

of Republic Act No. 7394, as amended: "ARTICLE 92-A. ENGLISH OR FILIPINO TRANSLATIONS OF PRODUCT LABELS WRITTEN IN FOREIGN CHARACTERS OR LANGUAGES. - CONSUMER PRODUCTS WITH PRODUCT LABELS WRITTEN IN FOREIGN CHARACTERS OR LANGUAGE SHALL BE ALLOWED ENTRY INTO THE COUNTRY AND INTRODUCED INTO COMMERCE ONLY IF THEY HAVE A CORRESPONDING ENGLISH OR FILIPINO TRANSLATION TO ENABLE THE AUTHORITIES TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE PRODUCT HAS COMPLIED WITH ALL THE OTHER LABELING REQUIREMENTS AS WELL AS PROVIDE THE CONSUMERS PROPER GUIDANCE ON THE CONTENTS AND ORIGIN OF THE PRODUCT."

Sec. 15. A new Article 92-B is hereby inserted after the new Article 92-A of

Republic Act No. 7394, as amended: "ARTICLE 92-B. OFFICIAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION FOR IMPORTED CONSUMER PRODUCTS. - IMPORT DATA FROM THE BUREAU OF CUSTOMS AND BUREAU OF IMPORT SERVICES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY SHALL BE RECOGNIZED AS OFFICIAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION TO VALIDATE THE FOLLOWING

INFORMATION RELATIVE TO A PARTICULAR IMPORTED CONSUMER PRODUCT: "A) COUNTRY OF MANUFACTURE; "B) NAME AND ADDRESS OF MANUFACTURER OR EXPORTER: "C) NAME AND ADDRESS OF IMPORTER OR CONSIGNEE; "D) VALUE AND VOLUME OF SHIPMENT; "E) DATE OF ARRIVAL; AND "F) OTHER INFORMATION RELEVANT TO THE SHIPMENT IN QUESTION." to read as follows:

Sec. 16. Article 116 of Republic Act No. 7394, as amended, is hereby amended

"Article 116. Permit to Conduct Promotion. - No person shall conduct any sales [campaigns, including beauty contest, national in character, sponsored and promoted by manufacturing enterprises] PROMOTION OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES OR THE SALE THEREOF, THROUGH AND WITH THE USE OF ALL FORMS OF MEDIA, INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGIES, INCLUDING BEAUTY CONTESTS THAT ARE NATIONAL IN CHARACTER, SPONSORED AND PROMOTED BY PRODUCERS, MANUFACTURERS, DISTRIBUTORS, SUPPLIERS, IMPORTERS, RETAILERS OR THEIR AGENTS without first securing a permit from the concerned department at [least thirty (30) calendar] FIFTEEN (15) days prior to the commencement thereof. [Unless an objection or denial is received within fifteen (15) days from filing of the application, the same shall be deemed approved and the promotion campaign or activity may be conducted]: Provided, That any sales promotion campaign using medical prescriptions or any part thereof or attachment

[thereto for raffles or a promise of reward] shall not be allowed, nor a permit be issued thereof.

Sec. 17. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days after

the effectivity of this Act, the DTI, in coordination with the implementing agencies under this Act, other relevant government agencies and stakeholders, shall 6 promulgate the rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 18. Separability Clause, - If any provision of this Act is declared

and effect. unconstitutional, the remainder thereof not otherwise affected shall remain in full force

Sec. 19. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,

letters of instruction, proclamations or administrative regulations that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

Sec. 20. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its

publication in the Official Gazette, or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,