AN ACT TO INCREASE THE PENALTY FOR CRUELTY TO ANIMALS. AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 8
OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8485.

Be it enacted by the Senate and HOUSE OF REPRSENTATIVES of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 8 of Republid Act No. 8485 is hereby amended as follows:

SEC. 2. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

...

SEC. 8. Any person who violates any of the provisions of this Act shall upon conviction by final judgement, be punished by imprisonment of not less than [six (6) months] ONE YEAR nor more [two (2)] FOUR years [or] AND a fine of not less than (One) FIVE thousand nor more than (Five) TEN thousand pesos. If the violation is committed by a Juridical person, the officer responsible therefore shall serve the imprisonment. If the violation is committed by an alien, he or she shall be immediately deported after service of sentence without any furhter proceedings.

FOR EVERY SUBSEQUENT CONVICTION UNDER R.A. 8485, THE ACCUSED SHALL SUFFER AN ADDITIONAL ONE (1) YEAR IMPRISONMENT AND FIVE (5) THOUSAND PESOS FINE.

THE VEHICLE USED IN THE TRANSPORTATION OF ANIMALS IN VIOLATION OF SECTION 4 SHALL BE DEEMED AN INSTRUMENT EMPLOYED IN THE COMMISSION OF THE CRIME, AND SHALL BE ORDERED CONFISCATED AND FORFEITED IN FAVOR OF THE GOVERNMENT.

Approved,

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
House of Representatives
Quezon city

THIRTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 2991

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Introduced by REP. FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO
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EXPLANATORY NOTE

It has been noted that many of those arrested for violation of Republic Act no. 8485 are repeat offenders. Some are out on bail and their cases are still being tried. The penalty of fine, which is from P 1,000.00 to P 5,000.00 is way too low to serve as a deterrent. (The fine is imposed as an alternative to imprisonment, not in addition thereto).

Some accused have been heard to admit that what they are made to pay the government by way of fine is often less than the standard bribe they give to policemen who pull them over with their hot cargo.

It is respectfully submitted that as noble as the objectives of the law are, they remain elusive because the penalty is unrealistic. The penalty must be upgraded.

FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO
signed by the Congressman

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