Bill seeks to require NBI clearance for plastic surgery

MANILA, Philippines—Criminals may no longer have to undergo facelifts to evade authorities once this bill becomes a law.

Quezon Representative Angelina Tan filed House Bill 4378 which seeks to require those who want a facial plastic surgery to secure a clearance first from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

This is in light of criminals who have resorted to facelifts to evade the long arm of law, the bill read.

“The bill aims to forestall criminals from hiding their identities and evade arrest by requiring facial plastic surgery patients to present NBI clearance before undergoing a procedure,” the bill read in its explanatory note.

The bill cited the case of Abigail Pendulas, the wife and co-accused of alleged investment scam mastermind Manuel Amalilio. She evaded arrest for a year after she underwent a nose lift that altered her face.

Also cited is robbery gang leader Alvin Flores, who was confirmed to have undergone plastic surgery before he was killed in a shootout with authorities in 2009.

Under the bill, plastic surgeries that needed NBI clearance are those that involve but not limited to the eyelids, facial scars, forehead, hair, chin, ears, nose, and face.

Plastic surgeons are mandated under the bill to require NBI clearances from those who wanted plastic surgery and file these as the patients’ medical records.

Surgeons who violate the bill for the first time would be penalized with a reprimand as recorded by the Professional Regulation Commission and the Philippine Medical Association.

They will be penalized with 5,000 on second offense, and P10,000-P20,000 on third offense. The surgeon’s license would also be suspended for 30 days at the discretion of the court.

A corporation which may violate the bill would be penalized with a cancellation of their business permit and license to operate.

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