Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

THIRTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

H. No. 88

Introduced by Hon. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Some members of the local and national media continue to
callously lambast the Muslim religious culture of describing criminals
and suspects with terms such as “Muslim Criminals”, “Muslim
Terrorists”, “Muslim Drug Pushers’, Muslim Sea Pirates”, “Muslim
Bandits” or “Muslim Holduppers”

The use of words “Muslim” and “Islamic” in association with
suspected or convicted criminals and unlawful acts are offensively biased
against Muslims. ‘This practice is highly prejudicial and extremely
injurious to the Islamic religious culture, Muslim individuals and their
collective image, and the Muslim’s social well being as respectable
citizens of the country.

Outlawing this culturally and religiously biased practice would
definitely contribute and result in increased positive social space and
understanding between and among Muslims and Non-Muslims, and help
drive the path towards a just, culturally-sensitive, fair, and lasting peace
and development in our country.

‘The immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

Been Gh

JUAN EDGARDO INNY” M. ANGARA


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC }
OF THE PHILIPPINES }
First Regular Session }
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.No, __88

Introduced by Rep. Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara

AN ACT
PROHIBITING THE USE OF THE WORD “MUSLIM” OR “ISLAMIC” IN
PRINT, RADIO, TELEVISION AND OTHER FORMS OF BROADCAST
MEDIA TO REFER TO OR DESCRIBE ANY PERSON CONVICTED OF
ANY CRIME, OR SUSPECTED OF COMMITTING ANY UNLAWFUL ACT,
AND PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Prohibited Act. - It shall be unlawful for any person
to use the word “Muslim” or “Islamic” in print, television and other forms
of broadcast media to refer to or describe any person convicted of a crime
or suspected of committing any unlawful act.

SEC. 2. Penalties. - The penalty of arresto mayor or a fine
ranging from One thousand pesos (Php 1,000.00) to Ten thousand pesos
(Php 10,000.00}, or both, at the discretion of the court, shall be imposed
upon any person found guilty of violating Section 1 hereof.

The publisher, in the case of print media, and the president of the
juridical entity, in the case of radio, television and other forms of
broadcast media, shall be imposed a fine not lower than Fifty thousand
pesos (Php 50,000.00).

The juridical entity violating this Act shall be imposed a fine not

lower than Fifty thousand pesos (Php50,000.00) for every violation, or


cancellation of its license or franchise, or both, at the discretion of the
court.

SEC. 3. Repealing Clause. - All laws, orders, issuances, rules and
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

SEC. 4. Separability Clause. - If any party of this Act is held invalid
or unconstitutional, the other parts or provisions thereof not affected
thereby shall remain valid and effective.

SEC. 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from
its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,