Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 13) — A bill proposing to raise the minimum legal age to drink alcohol in the country from 18 to 21 years old has been filed at the House of Representatives.
Representatives Paolo Duterte and Eric Yap, filed House Bill 175, or “Anti-Underage Drinking Act,” prohibits “unqualified individuals” from buying alcohol or alcoholic beverages, as well as prevents others from purchasing such for them.
The proposed measure defines “unqualified individuals” as people who are below 21 years old, or those above 21 but are unable to fully take care or protect themselves from “abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation or discrimination because of a physical or mental disability or condition.”
False identification to represent oneself as someone of legal age to be able to purchase alcohol or alcoholic beverages is also prohibited under the bill.
Persons under 21 years old are also not allowed to consume or possess such beverages in an establishment’s premises, no matter who or where the item was purchased. Establishment refer to places for commercial use like bars, restaurants, hotels, retail stores, and supermarkets, the bill read.
It also prevents such businesses, and their employees, to sell, give, or provide alcohol and alcoholic beverages to unqualified individuals.
Unqualified individuals who will violate the proposed law will be required to attend counseling by the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children for the first offense.
For the second offense, they will be required to attend two consecutive counseling sessions with their parents or guardians.
For the third and every subsequent offense, the unqualified individual shall be handed over to the local Department of Social Welfare and Development for appropriate counseling and disposition on the matter.
Any person of legal age or establishment who will violate the proposed measure will be fined ₱50,000 or face imprisonment of not more than three months. For succeeding offenses, both penalties will apply along with revocation of business license.
Public officers who fail to implement the law will be imprisoned for not less than one month but not more than six months, and temporarily suspended from public service.
