SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
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Introduced by SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Throughout history, music has helped define a country's identity. 
From the kulintang, the kundiman to what is called the Manila Sound, 
music has inspired countless of Filipinos to love, live and embrace life. 
But online piracy and limited airplay has hurt the growth of the 
local music industry. Figures released by the Philippine Association of 
the Record Industry showed that sales of physical audio and video 
dropped from P2,154,764 in 2000 to P699,360 in 2010. 
Although music ring tones and digital copies created a new 
revenUe source, the cost of producing and promoting a new song remains 
high for record labels. Promoting a new song is difficult in an 
environment that gives more radio time to foreign songs. 
The issue of airplay is nothing new. In 1987, President Corazon C. 
Aquino issued Executive Order 255 to give original Pilipino music more 
airtime. The directive requires radio stations to play at least four original 
Pilipino musical compositions in every clock hour of a program with a 
musical format. 
Any franchise holder or radio station operator violating the EO will 
be fined P100. The National Telecommunications Commission may also 
suspend or cancel the Certificate of Registration and Authority to operate 
of any radio station in the event of repeated violations. 
More than 20 years after the directive was signed, airplay remains 
a concern. In August of last year, President Benigno S. Aquino III ordered 
the National Telecommunications Commission to enforce the measure. 
The order was issued during the Organisyon ng Pilipinong Mangaawit's 
oath taking ceremonies. 
There is a need to review the EO in light of advancements III 
technology and program formats. 
A country will never be able to develop its own identity by singing 
songs of another. 
The immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
<30" 
JOSEPH VICTOR G. 
EJERCITO 


SeMi£' 
SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS 
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<OHt;r \If Hl€ ,;;.'n'vbr'l 
First Regular Session 
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OCT 16 
All :06 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 1856 
Introduced by SENATOR JOSEPH VICTOR G. EJERCITO 
, 
AN ACT REQUIRING RADIO STATIONS TO BROADCAST A 
MINIMUM OF THREE ORIGINAL FILIPINO MUSIC 
COMPOSITIONS EVERY HOUR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
SECTION 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as the "OPM 
Radio Airplay Act of 2013. " 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy - It is the policy of the State 
to foster the preservation, enrichment, and dynamic evolution of a 
Filipino national culture based on the principle of unity in diversity in a 
climate of free artistic and intellectual expression. Further, the State 
shall support, conserve and promote the country's historical and 
cultural heritage and resources, as well as artistic creations. 
SECTION 3. Definition -
For the purposes of this Act, these 
terms are defined as follows: 
Original Pilipino Music - means any musical composition created by a 
Filipino, whether the lyrics is in Filipino, English or in any other 
language or dialect. 
Cover Version or Cover Song -
refers to a new performance or 
recording of a previously recorded, commercially released song or 
popular song. 
RadiO music format - refers to a program wherein the main broadcast 
content is music. 
SECTION 4. Fines and Penalties - Any franchise holder or radio 
station operator that fails to observe or violates any provision of this 
Act shall be fined the amount of P1,OOO for every violation. The 
National Telecommunications Commission, after due hearing, may 
suspend or cancel the Certificate of Registration and Authority to 
operate of any radio station in the event of repeated violations. 
. 
, 
SECTION 5. Coverage - Radio stations are required to play at 
least three (3) OPM songs per hour, or its equivalent per day of 
operation. The total number is computed by the number of hours a 


radio station operates minus the time allocated for radio talk shows. 
This only applies to programs with a radio music format. 
SECTION 6. Repealing Clause":' Any law, presidential decree, 
issuance, executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order 
and regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this 
Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 7 . Separability Clause - If "any provision of this Act 
is held invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected 
hereby shall remain valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 8. Implementation. The National Telecommunications 
Communications shall issue such rules and regulations as may be 
necessary to carry out the purpose of this Act. 
SECTION 9. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) 
days after its publication in the Of.ficial Gazette and two (2) 
newspapers with a nationwide circulation. 
Approved, 
. .