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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Move over, 'congressmeow': De Lima is the new animal rights champion in the House

Move over, 'congressmeow': De Lima is the new animal rights champion in the House

Published Feb 5, 2026 04:52 pm

At A Glance

  • Looks like Mamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima is poised to take over "congressmeow" Cavite 4th district Rep. Francisco "Kiko" Barzaga's de facto title as animal rights champion in the 300-plus strong House of Representatives.
Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima (left), Cavite 4th district Rep. Francisco "Kiko" Barzaga (Facebook)
Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima (left), Cavite 4th district Rep. Francisco "Kiko" Barzaga (Facebook)


Looks like Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima is poised to take over "congressmeow" Cavite 4th district Rep. Francisco "Kiko" Barzaga's de facto title as animal rights champion in the 300-plus strong House of Representatives.
This, after De Lima filed House Bill (HB) No. 7238 or the “Revised Animal Welfare Act”. It address gaps and strengthen the implementation of Republic Act (RA) No. 8485 or the "Animal Welfare Act", as amended by RA 10631.
“Every year, hundreds of thousands of animals are born into suffering on Philippine streets, an escalating crisis of neglect and cruelty that our existing laws have failed to contain,” De Lima said in a statement Thursday, Feb. 5.
Incidentally, Barzaga--known for his cat branding and pro-stray animal stance--was slapped his second 60-day suspension without pay during plenary session Wednesday, Feb. 4. This means that the Gen Z solon won't be able to report for duty in the next two months.
He need not worry, however, since De Lima shares his advocacy on protecting defenseless stray animals.
De Lima, the Liberal Party (LP) chairperson, says that RA No. 8485 simply isn't enough to address the existing problems. “We have the Animal Welfare Act, but there has been an alarming increase of cases of animal cruelty, underscoring serious gaps in enforcement and local implementation."
"Ang masakit pa dito, bukod sa marami nang nabalitang kalunos-lunos na sinapit ng mga hayop sa kamay ng mga pabaya at malupit na indibidwal o institusyon, marami pang karahasan ang hindi pa naulat o naitala,” she noted.
(What makes this even more painful is that, aside from the many tragic cases already reported of animals suffering at the hands of negligent and cruel individuals or institutions, there are still countless acts of violence that remain unreported or undocumented.)
In her proposed measure, De Lima cited notorious animal abuses in the country including the tragic killing of Killua, a three-year-old golden retriever in Camarines Sur, who was killed by a barangay tanod.
Under HB 7238, rescue and enforcement mechanisms shall be strengthened by authorizing the removal of animals from inhumane conditions, institutionalizing animal protection orders, protecting enforcers and concerned citizens from Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP), and imposing graduated and deterrent penalties for acts of cruelty, abandonment, illegal dog meat trading, and aggravated or repeat offenses.
Furthermore, the Animal Welfare Bureau (AWB) at the Department of Agriculture (DA) shall be created which will issue animal welfare policies, standards, rules and regulations and ensure the implementation and enforcement of animal welfare regulations, programs, and standards through interagency coordination, programs, and agreements.
If enacted into law, the bureau is mandated to come up with other dog/cat population control programs, except by killing or euthanasia, in keeping with what is relevant and necessary.
The De Lima bill allows mercy killing when a pet animal is afflicted with an incurable communicable disease, and the killing is deemed necessary, and certified by a duly licensed veterinarian.
It also mandates the establishment of Barangay Animal Welfare Unit (BAWU) in every barangay to ensure effective and sustained implementation of the measure particularly at the grassroots level.
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