RECEIVED
Republic of the Philippines 19 JUL 2013
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Constitution Hills, Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

nouse Brno, 1896

Introduced by Representative Harlin Cast. Abayon

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The right of reply gives people who feel aggrieved by baseless comments the right to
defend themselves against criticism as it offers a possibility to react to any information in the
media presenting inaccurate facts which affect their personal rights. These very same people
have Constitutionally-protected rights which are infringed by comments which may tarnish their
reputations. This Act enables all persons to equitably exercise their right of reply in the field of
broadcast and print media and protects its exercise by providing penalties for violation of such
right.

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.

So

HARLIN CAST. ABAYON
Representative
First District of Norther Samar


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

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1396
Introduced by Representative Harlin Cast. Abayon

ANACT
GRANTING THE RIGHT OF REPLY AND
PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR
VIOLATION THEREOF

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

SECTION I. Right of Reply. - All persons natural or juridical who are accused directly or
indirectly of committing or having committed or of intending to commit any crime or offense
defined by law or are criticized by innuendo, suggestion or rumor for any lapse in behavior in
public or private life shall have the right to reply to the charges published or printed in
newspapers, magazines, newsletters or publications circulated commercially or for free, or to
criticisms aired or broadcast over radio, television, websites, or through any electronic device.

SECTION 2. Where Reply Published. - The reply of the person so accused or criticized shall be
published in the same space of the newspapers, magazine, newsletter or publication or aired over
the same program on radio, television, website, or any electronic device concerned.

SECTION 3. When Published. - The reply shall be published or broadcast not later than three (3)
days afier the reply shall have been delivered to the editorial office of the publication concerned
or to the station that carried the broadcast being replied to.

SECTION 4. Length of Reply. - The reply shall not be longer than the accusation or criticism as
published or broadcasted.

SECTION 5. Free of Charge. - The publication or broadcast of the reply shall be free of charge,
payment or fees.

the reply as such shall be published or broadcast except for

libelous allegations.


SECTION 7. Penalties. - The editor-in-chief, the publisher or station manager, or owner of the
broadcast medium who fails or refuses to publish or broadcast the reply as mandated in the
preceding section shall be fined in an amount not exceeding ‘Ten thousand pesos (10,000.00)
for the first offense; Twenty thousand pesos (P20,000.00)f or the second offense; and Thirty
thousand pesos (P30,000.00) or the third offense. Thereafter, for repeated failures or refusals
to publish or broadcast the reply as mandated herein, a fine of Fifty thousand pesos
(P50,000.00) shall be imposed. Moreover, if the offender is a public official, he shall be
subject to administrative liability under existing Civil Service laws. The court may also
recommend that proper sanctions be imposed by any appropriate mass media organizations on
erring editors-in-chief, publishers, station managers or owners of media concerned.

SECTION 8. Self-Regulation. - The block-timers who also fail to broadcast or publish the reply
shall be subject to the Code of Ethics or to the realm of self regulation of the network or station.

SECTION 9. Other Remedies. - The publication of the reply does not preclude recourse to other
rights or remedies available to the party or parties concerned.

SECTION 10. Sunset Clause. - This Act shall lapse seven (7) years after its approval unless
Congress shall provide otherwise.

SECTION 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication
in three (3) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved