Senator Pangilinan: 'The way we treat animals reflects our values as a society'

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has expressed support for the Philippine Animal Welfare Society’s (PAWS) call to further strengthen the Animal Welfare Act, stressing the urgent need to improve animal protection and stricter enforcement of existing laws.

During a meeting with PAWS on Wednesday, February 11, Pangilinan said he will file a bill aimed at enhancing the implementation of the Animal Welfare Act. 

The senator, a longtime animal welfare advocate and a proud adopter of rescue animals with his wife, Sharon Cuneta-Pangilinan, said he looks forward to working closely with the group.

“We will work together with PAWS on this since they are our foot soldiers. They’re local. They know what needs to be done on the ground. We’re here to listen and we’ve already had a long history and partnership with PAWS, so we’re looking forward to pushing this measure,” Pangilinan said.

“The way we treat animals reflects our values as a society,” he added. “We must ensure that our laws evolve to address ongoing and new forms of cruelty, strengthen accountability, and promote responsible pet ownership and animal stewardship.”

PAWS executive director Atty. Anna Cabrera personally appealed to Pangilinan’s support, describing him as “a very effective legislator and also someone who cares deeply about animals.”

Pangilinan previously worked with PAWS during the 15th Congress to amend Republic Act No. 8485, or the Animal Welfare Act of 1998. The amendatory law, Republic Act No. 10631, imposed stricter penalties, including higher fines and longer prison terms for animal cruelty, neglect, and maltreatment.

“It really feels like we are old friends and na komportableng-komportable kami kay Senator Kiko kasi we know na everything he does is not just for show kahit noong hindi pa uso yung animal welfare, animal advocate na siya,” Cabrera said.

“So, it’s really like a homecoming more than anything else. And we’re very confident na magkakaroon ng better animal welfare law because of Senator Kiko,” she added.

PAWS is proposing the creation of a National Commission on Animal Welfare with quasi-judicial powers to regulate and monitor animal shelters and pounds. Under its proposed ALAGA (Animal Life Advocacy and Guardianship Act) bill, the group is also pushing for stiffer penalties and stronger sanctions against animal cruelty and neglect.

-Paraluman News