THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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S E N A T E  
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Introduced by Senator Edgardo J. 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. 
&’* 
DGARDO J. ANGARA 


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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ‘ .} ’:, 
First Regular Session 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
S E N A T E  
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S. No. 10 
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Introduced by Senator Edgardo J. 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 “Islamica 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 awesto 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. 5. Effectiuity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from 
its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,