Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BiLNo. 1407

Introduced by Representative Harlin Cast. Abayon

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘This bill wishes to arrest the seemingly unrestrained influx of obscene pictures along the
country's major thoroughfares. And by doing this, the general welfare of the populace is indeed
protected and enriched.This measure was previously filed by Senator Manny Villar in the 15"
Congress. Passage of this Bill is earnestly sought now in the 16" Congress.

>=,

HARLIN CAST. ABAYON
Representative
First District of Northern Samar


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BILLNo,__1407

Introduced by Representative Harlin Cast. Abayon

AN ACT PROHIBITING THE PUBLIC EXHIBITION OR DISPLAY OF
OBSCENE AND/OR DISTRACTIVE MOTION OR STILL PICTURES ALONG
MAJOR THOROUGHFARES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. Realizing the need to promote road
safety, in view of the hazardous effects of obscene and/or distractive motion or
still pictures along major thoroughfares upon vehicle drivers, and recognizing the
need to protect the morals of the community, in view of the damaging effects
caused by such pictures on the values of children and the general public, it is
hereby declared the policy of the state to disallow the public exhibition or display
of obscene pictures, whether for purposes of advertisement or otherwise, along
major thoroughfares.

Section 2. Obscene and/or Distractive Pictures. For purposes of this Act,
‘obscene and/or distractive pictures mean pictures or images, stil or moving, that:
1) go substantially beyond customary limit of candor and offend community
standards of decency; and 2) lack serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific
value.

Section 3, Penalties. The party or parties responsible for the public
exhibition or display of obscene and/or distractive picture shall, for the first
offense, be liable for a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00)
nor more than Seventy Thousand Pesos (P70,000.00) plus, for advertisers,
suspension of advertising permit or license for thirty-(30) days; for the second
offense, to a fine of not less than Seventy Thousand Pesos (P70,000.00) nor
more than Eighty Thousand Pesos (P80,000.00) plus, for advertisers,
suspension of advertising permit or license for sixty (60) days; and for the third
and final offense, imprisonment of not less than six months not more than six (6)
years or a fine of not less than Eighty Thousand Pesos (P80,000.00) nor more
than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P1 00,000.00) or both imprisonment and
fine at the discretion of the court plus, for advertisers, cancellation of advertising
permit or license.

Ifthe offender is a firm, corporation, partnership or association, the penalty
shall be imposed upon the owner, manager, president or any responsible officer
of the aforementioned organizations.

Section 4. Monitoring, The Department of Public Works and Highway
shall: 1) identify the major thoroughfares in the country, in view of its pre~
established standards; and 2) monitor complianice with the provisions of this Act


Section §. Rule-Making Powers. The Department of Public Works and Highway
and the Department of Justice shall promulgate a procedure for the prosecution
of violators and other necessary rules and regulations for the effective
implementation of this Act.

Section 6. Separability Clause. If for any reason, any portion or portions of this
Act is found unconstitutional or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such
portions which are not affected by the declaration shall remain valid and
ineffective.

Section 7. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved,