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RECEIVED
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS ) LOJA
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session )
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

6947

House Bill No.
EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to qualify the killing of members of broadcast and print media in
the performance of their duties as a crime of murder to protect them on the occasion
of the lawful exercise of their functions.

According to a study made by the Center for Media Freedom and
Responsibility, there have been 28 journalists and media practitioners killed in the
line of duty since 2001. These reported killings have brought undue attention on the
country’s state of press freedom, supposedly one of the freest in the world. We
cannot have that in a republican democratic state where democracy is primarily
infringed on the freedom of speech and of expression, and where media is
considered the Fourth Estate.

There is a need to stop these useless killings and protect members of the
media in the discharge of their functions. This bill addresses such need by
classifying the killing of a member of the media while in the lawful exercise of his or
her duties as a crime of murder under Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
Second Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.
House Bill No. 6947

AN ACT
QUALIFYING THE KILLING OF MEMBERS OF BROADCAST AND PRINT MEDIA
IN THE LAWFUL EXERCISE OF THEIR FUNCTIONS AS SUCH, AS A CRIME OF
MURDER PUNISHABLE UNDER ARTICLE 248 OF THE REVISED PENAL CODE,
AS AMENDED

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic of the
Philippines in Congress assembled.

SECTION 1. Article two hundred forty-eight of the Revised Penal Code as amended
by Republic Act No. 7659 is hereby further amended to read as follows:

“ART. 248. Murder. — Any person who, not falling
within the provisions of Article 246 shall kill another,
shall be guilty of murder and shall be punished by
reclusion perpetua to death, if committed with any of
the following attendant circumstances:

1) With treachery, taking advantage of superior
strength, with the aid of armed men, or employing
means to weaken the defense or of means or persons
to insure or afford impunity;

2) In consideration of a price, reward or promise;

3) By means of inundation, fire poison, explosion,
shipwreck, standing of a vessel, derailment or assault
upon a street car or locomotive, fall of an airship by
means of motor vehicle, or with the use of any other
means involving great waste and ruin;

4) On occasion of any of the calamities enumerated
in the preceding paragraphs or, any other public
calamity;

5) With evident premeditation;


6) With cruelty, by deliberately and inhumanly
augmenting the suffering of the Victim, or outraging or
scoffing at his person or corpse.

7) WHEN THE PERSON KILLED IS A MEMBER OF
THE BROADCAST AND PRINT MEDIA, ON
OCCASION OF THE LAWFUL EXERCISE OF HIS
DUTIES OR FUNCTIONS AS SUCH MEMBER”

SEC. 2. Repealing Clause — All laws decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations or parts thereof, inconsistent the provisions of this Act are hereby
modified or repealed accordingly.

SEC. 3. Effectivity — This Act shall take effect after the lapse of fifteen
(15)days following its complete publication in the official Gazette or in two (2)
newspapers of general circulation, whichever is earlier.

Approved.