Section 6Sec./Art. 6

Section 56 of the Act is hereby deleted and replaced with a new Section 56 to read as follows:

"SEC. 56. Fines and Penalties. Any person, who commits violation of any of the provisions of this Act, or shall commit any of the prohibited acts mentioned under Sections 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53 and 54 under Chapter XII of Republic Act No. 9296, or shall sell, transport, offer or receive for sale or transportation in commerce hot meat as herein defined, upon conviction, shall be punished by imprisonment of not less than six (6) years and one (1) day but not more than twelve (12) years or a fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) but not more than One million pesos (P1,000,000.00) or both such fine and imprisonment upon the discretion of the court. The offender shall be obliged to pay to the concerned consumer whatever damage may have been suffered by the latter as a consequence of the unlawful act.

"If the offender is a juridical person, all officers such as, but not limited to, its president, manager or head of office responsible for their unlawful act shall be criminally liable therefor, in addition to the cancellation of certificates of accreditation and/or registration.

"If the offender is a public official, the penalty shall include perpetual disqualification to hold public office.

"In addition, the NMIS and the LGUs shall impose the following administrative fines and penalties:

"a) For Section 48 a) and b) confiscation as provided under Section 58 of this Act and a fine of Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) for the first offense, a fine of Seventy-five thousand pesos (P75,000.00) for the second offense, and a fine of One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) plus prohibition from conducting business for two (2) years for the third and succeeding offenses;

"b) For Section 48 c) and d) confiscation as provided under Section 58 of this Act and a fine of Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00) for the first offense, a fine of Three hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00) for the second offense, and a fine of Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) plus prohibition from conducting business for two (2) years for the third and succeeding offenses;

"c) For Sections 49, 50, 51, 52, 54 and hot meat confiscation as provided under Section 58 of this Act and a fine of Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00) for the first offense, a fine of Three hundred fifty thousand pesos (P350,000.00) for the second offense, and a fine of Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) plus prohibition from conducting business for three (3) years for the third and succeeding offenses; and

"d) For Section 53 suspension of six (6) months for the first offense, and dismissal from government service for the second violation."