REPUBLIC ACT NO. 4653 - AN ACT TO SAFEGUARD THE HEALTH OF THE PEOPLE AND MAINTAIN THE DIGNITY OF THE NATION BY DECLARING IT A NATIONAL POLICY TO PROHIBIT THE COMMERCIAL IMPORTATION OF TEXTILE ARTICLES COMMONLY KNOWN AS USED CLOTHING AND RAGS

Section 1.    It shall be unlawful for any person, association or corporation to introduce into any point in the Philippines textile articles commonly known as used clothing and rags, except when these are imported under Subsections "i", "j", "k", "l", "n", and "v" of Section 105 of Republic Act Numbered Nineteen hundred and thirty-seven.

Sec. 2.    The penalty of fine of not less than two hundred pesos nor more than twenty thousand pesos and imprisonment of not less than two years nor more than five years, shall be imposed upon persons found guilty of violation of the provision of this Act: provided, that in the case of aliens, the penalty to be imposed shall consist of the payment of the fine hereinabove provided for and that of immediate deportation without any further proceedings on the part of any Deportation Board: provided, further, that if the violation is committed by the manager, representative, director, agent or employee of any natural or juridical person in the interest of the latter, such violation shall render the employer liable to the penalty corresponding to the offense, without prejudice to the imposition of the corresponding penalty, either personal or pecuniary or both, upon the manager, representative, director, agent or employee, committing the violations: provided, furthermore, that in the case of the violation being committed by or in the interest of a foreign juridical person duly licensed to engage in business in the Philippines, the person or persons directly or indirectly involved in the importation shall suffer the penalties herein provided for and the revocation of such license and perpetual disqualification to engage in business in the Philippines shall form part of the penalty to be imposed: provided, also, that if the act committed by a public officer or employee is penalized by any other law, the penalties prescribed in the law punishing the offense shall be imposed in addition to those prescribed herein and that of perpetual absolute disqualification: provided, finally, that used clothing and rags imported in violation of this Act shall be burned in the presence of a representative of the General Auditing Office, Department of Finance and of the Office of the President, without the forfeiture proceedings provided in Republic Act Numbered Nineteen hundred and thirty-seven.

Sec. 3.    All Acts, rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed.

Sec. 4.    This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved: June 17, 1966