Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT 
DEFINING AND PENALIZING THE CRIME OF RED-TAGGING 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Red-tagging, as defined by the Philippine Commission on Human Rights, is “an act of State actors, 
particularly law enforcement agencies, to publicly brand individuals, groups, or institutions as affiliated to 
communist or leftist terrorists”. It is a widely used strategy employed by State agents to silence 
progressives, activists, or other individuals perceived to be ‘threats’ or ‘enemies of the State’ for voicing out 
dissent against government policies. Red-tagging often has far-reaching consequences for the work and 
safety of victims as they often become targets of killings. This Representation believes that red-tagging, 
and the consequent endangerment of life that comes with it, violates the constitutional provision on the 
protection of life and liberty and freedom of speech, as it aims to instill fear and stifle dissent.  
In recent years, we have witnessed a rise in red-tagging against human rights advocates, labor union 
organizations, journalists, teachers, unions, women’s groups, indigenous organizations, religious groups, 
student groups, agrarian reform advocates, and others. Even media personalities and honorable members 
of the House of Representatives were not spared from red-tagging posts on social media by various users 
and by some personalities from State agencies. As such, it is incumbent upon the state to institutionalize a 
system of accountability by criminalizing red-tagging and providing for penalties as deterrence thereto.  
This measure seeks to define the crime of red-tagging as the act of labeling, vilifying, branding, naming, 
accusing, harassing, persecuting, stereotyping, or caricaturing individuals, groups, or organizations as state 
enemies, left-leaning, subversives, communists, or terrorists as part of a counter-insurgency or anti-
terrorism strategy or program, by any state actor, such as a law enforcement agent, paramilitary, or military 
personnel. This measure likewise seeks to penalize those found guilty of committing this crime with 
imprisonment of ten (10) years and perpetual absolute disqualification to hold public office.  
On behalf of the people of Parañaque City’s Second District, and for the common good of the Filipino 
people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought. 
REP. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
2nd District, Parañaque City 
September 19, 2022
1:30 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT 
DEFINING AND PENALIZING THE CRIME OF RED-TAGGING 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Red-tagging. – Any state actor, such as a law enforcement agent, paramilitary, or military 
personnel, who labels, vilifies, brands, names, accuses, harasses, persecutes, stereotypes, or caricatures 
individuals, groups, or organizations as state enemies, left-leaning, subversives, communists, or terrorists 
as a part of a counter-insurgency or anti-terrorism program or strategy, shall suffer the penalty of 
imprisonment of ten (10) years and perpetual absolute disqualification to hold public office.   
SEC. 2. Repealing Clause. – All laws inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly.   
SEC. 3.  Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect upon its publication in the Official Gazette and a newspaper 
of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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