MANILA — Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Wednesday expressed support for the Philippine Animal Welfare Society’s (PAWS) call to strengthen the Animal Welfare Act and enforce stricter penalties against animal abusers.

During a meeting with PAWS on February 11, Pangilinan, an advocate for animal welfare and a rescue animal adopter along with his wife Sharon Cuneta-Pangilinan, said he plans to introduce a bill aimed at enhancing the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act.

“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. 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,” he added.

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

During the 15th Congress, Pangilinan worked with PAWS 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, or 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 help regulate and monitor animal shelters and pounds. In its proposed ALAGA (Animal Life Advocacy and Guardianship Act) bill, the group also advocates for stricter penalties and punishments for animal cruelty and neglect.