FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
S E N A T E  
S. 6. No. 
607 
Introduced by Senator JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Our law enforcement agencies are always under pressure to solve crimes, 
particularly the high profile cases, at the earliest possible time. Due to the clamor 
of the people for peace and order, the police are only too eager to please the 
public. 
Today, law enforcement agencies usually present a picture, a suspect or a 
set of suspects in a press conference with an announcement that a case has 
been solved. It is during these press conferences that the public gets a first 
glimpse of the suspects. 
In the process of presenting a suspect in a press conference, however, 
some fundamental rights are violated. While an accused enjoys due process and 
the constitutional presumption of innocence, a suspect who is presented in a 
press conference is subjected to unwanted publicity. Even if the charges, it at all 
they are filed, are later dismissed; the zeal of our law enforcers in showing that 
they are on top of a case could besmirch the name and reputation of a suspect or 
of his family. In so far as the suspect - whose name and face already appeared in 
newspapers or television - is concerned, that the harm has already been done. 
Presenting suspects to the public before formal charges are filed against 
them violates their human dignity. The bill proposes that those who present 
suspect in a press conference be held criminally, civilly or administratively liable. 
The bill also proposes certain guidelines on what the police can do to keep 
the public informed as to the status of pending high-profile cases. 
The approval of this bill is earnestly requested. 
JIM-GGOYLJERCITO 
ESTRADA 
Senator 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
S E N A T E  
S. B. No. 
687 
~ 
~~~ 
Introduced by Senator JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
PROHIBITING THE PRESENTATION TO THE PRESS OR PUBLIC OF 
SUSPECTS IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS BEFORE CASES ARE 
FORMALLY FILED AGAINST THE SUSPECTS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION ‘t. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to 
safeguard the right to presumption of innocence of all citizens including suspects 
in criminal investigations. 
SEC. 2. Unlawful Act. - It shall be unlawful for any person to present 
publicly or a press conference any suspect who is being investigated by a 
government office for possible criminal liability before formal charges are filed 
against him or her, unless there is a written consent by the suspect with the 
assistant of counsel. 
This Act, however, does not apply to suspects who are at large or for 
whom warrant of arrest have been issued. Their names and photographs ca be 
provided to the public for dissemination order to facilitate their arrest. 
SEC. 3. Acts Allowed. - Officials who have custody of a suspect and 
knowledge of his her arrest may inform the public the fact that suspect has been 
arrested, the crime for which he or she was arrested, the time, date ,place, 
manner and other circumstances concerning the arrest but should not include the 
identity and personal circumstances concerning the arrest. 
SEC. 4. Access of Media. - Interview by media may be allowed by upon 
the suspect’s written consent with the assistance of counsel. No interview shall 
be allowed without the presence of counsel unless the suspect waives such 
privilege in writing. 
SEC. 5. Penalty. - Any person who shall violate this Act shall suffer the 
penalty Six Months and One Day to Six Years or a fine of Twenty thousand 
Pesos or both. 


SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive 
orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of 
this Act are hereby repealed or immediately modified accordingly. 
SEC. 7. Effectivity, - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) national newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,