FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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S E N A T E  
S. No. 
110 
INTRODUCED BY THE HONORABLE MAR R O U S  
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippines is now perceived as one of the most dangerous places in the world for 
journalists, with dozens and dozens of unsolved killings against media practitioners and 
activists in recent years. 
It does not help that while journalists are under attack, the law poses another threat, 
through imprisonment due to libel, which is currently a criminal offense. While it is the 
right of individuals to be protected from unethical and irresponsible journalism, 
imprisonment is not a just penalty for such. Civil damages' may be enough penalty and 
deterrence, considering the present economic situation of journalists. 
Also, under present rules, the complainant or offended party in a libel case, if he is a 
public officer, may file the complaint in a trial court in Manila if his office is in Manila, or in 
a trial court outside Manila if his office is located there. If the offended party is a private 
person, then the venue of filing is in a trial court in his place of residence at the time of the 
commission of the alleged libelous act. 
Such have been used and abused by subjects of news articles or other journalistic 
pieces in order to harass and cause inconvenience to the journalists and media organizations. 
They file libel suits in far-flung places, away from the office of the said media practitioners, 
have them imprisoned andor pose bail, even if the cases are eventually withdrawn or settled, 
if not dismissed by the court. 
It has been said many times that a free press is crucial in building a democracy. In 
fact, the 1987 Constitution heralds it as a protected right. However, the concept of a free 
press has been attacked in recent times. It is the duty of the State to afford ample protection 
to journalists, which, in turn, translates into its adherence to a larger cause: the promotion of 
the Constitutionally-protected right to expression. 
This bill seeks to decriminalize libel and limit the venue of filing libel suits. The 
approval of this measure could be a small way by which Congress may help in alleviating the 
plight of journalists. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session 
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S E N A T E  
S. No. 
110 
INTRODUCED BY HONORABLE MAR ROXAS 
AN ACT 
TO ABOLISH THE PENALTY OF IMPRISONMENT IN LIBEL CASES 
AND PROVIDING FOR THE VENUE OF THE CIVIL ACTION IN LIBEL CASES 
AGAINST COMMUNITY JOURNALISTS, PUBLICATIONS OR BROADCAST STATIONS, 
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE CERTAIN PROVISONS OF ACT NO. 3815, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE REVISED PENAL CODE, AS AMENDED, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assem bled: 
SECTION 1. Article 355 of Act No. 3815, as amended, otherwise known as the Revised 
Penal Code, is hereby amended to read as follows: 
“ARTICLE 355. Libel by means writings or similar means. - A libel 
committed by means of writing, printing, lithography, engraving, radio, 
phonograph , painting , theatrical exhibition, cinematographic exhibition, or 
any similar means, shall be punished [by prision correccional in its 7 minimum 
and medium periods or] a fine ranging from 200 to 6,000 pesos, [or both,] in 
addition to the civil action which may be brought by the offended party. 
“THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLES 90 AND 91 TO THE CONTRARY 
NOTWITHSTANDING, THE OFFENSE AND PENALTY IMPOSED ABOVE 
SHALL PRESCRIBE IN SIX (6) MONTHS COUNTED FROM THE DATE OF 
THE FIRST PUBLICATION, AIRING OR EXHIBITION OF THE LIBELOUS 
MATERIAL.” 
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SEC. 2. Article 356 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows: 
“Art. 356. nreatening to publish and offer to prevent such 
publicarion for a compensation. - The penalty of [arresto mayor or] a fine 
from 200 to 2,000 pesos, [or both,] shall be imposed upon any person who 
threatens another to publish a libel concerning him or the parents, spouse, 
child, or other members of the family of the latter, or upon anyone who shall 
offer to prevent the publication of such libel for a compensation or money 
consideration.” 
SEC. 3. Article 357 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows: 
Art. 357. Prohibited publication of acts referred to in the course of 
officialproceedings. - The penalty of [arresto mayor or] a fine of from 200 to 
2,000 pesos, [or both,] shall be imposed upon any reporter, editor or manager 
of a newspaper, daily or magazine, who shall publish facts connected with the 
private life of another and offensive to the honor, virtue and reputation of said 
person, even though said publication be made in connection with or under the 
pretext that it is necessary in the narration of any judicial or administrative 
proceedings wherein such facts have been mentioned.” 
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Sec. 4. Article 360 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows: 
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“Art. 360. Persons responsible. - [Any person who shall publish, 
exhibit, or cause the publication or exhibition of any defamation in writing or 
by similar means,] THE AUTHOR OF THE PRINTED ARTICLE OR ANY 
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PERSON WHO SHALL CAUSE THE EXHIBITION OF THEATRICAL OR 
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CINEMATOGRAPHIC EXHIBIT CONTAINING DEFAMATORY WORDS 
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shall be responsible for the same. [The author or editor of a book or pamphlet, 
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or the editor or business manager of a daily newspaper, magazine or serial 
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publication, shall be responsible for the defamation contained therein to the 
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same extent as if he were the author thereof.]” 
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SEC. 5. A new article, to be numbered as Article 360-A of the same Act, is hereby 
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inserted after Article 360 of the same act, to read as follows: 
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“ARTICLE 
360-A. VENUE. THE CIVIL SECTION IN CASES OF LIBEL 
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AGAINST A COMMUNITY JOURNALIST, PUBLICATION OR BROADCAST 
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STATION SHALL BE FILED IN THE REGIONAL TRIAL COURT OF THE 
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PROVINCE OR CITY WHERE THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OR PLACE OF 
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BUSINESS OF THE SAID COMMUNITY JOURNALIST, PUBLICATION OR 
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BROADCAST STATION IS LOCATED: 
PROVIDED, NO WEVER, THAT 
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THE COURT WHERE THE CIVIL ACTION IS FIRST FILED SHALL 
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“THE TERM “COMMUNITY JOURNALIST, PUBLICATION OR 
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BROADCAST STATION SHALL BE UNDERSTOOD TO MEAN A 
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JOURNALIST OR NEWS MEDIUM THAT OPERATES WITHIN A LIMITED 
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AREA OF CIRCULATION OR BRdADCAST IN A CITY, PROVINCE OR 
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REGION, AS DEFINED UNDER EXISTlNG LAWS.” 
ACQUIRE JURISDICTION TO THE EXCLUSION OF OTHER COURTS. 
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effect. 
SEC. 6. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared invalid, the 
remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain in full force and 
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SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. -All laws, executive orders or issuances, or any part thereof, 
which are inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
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SEC. 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect upon its publication in at least 
< ,  
one (1) newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved. 
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