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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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First Regular Session 
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"1>4 &; 3C 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Every democratic nation today recognizes the value of freedom of the press. The 
recognition and respect for this freedom is the very essence of democracy. Uncensored 
public discussion is a necessary condition in a society enjoying the bounty of a free and 
democratic State. Hence, freedom of the press is founded on the assumption that the 
widest possible dissemination .of information from diverse, and perhaps . ev.en 
"antagonistic sources is essential for the enhancement and projection of the welfare and 
interest of the people. Indeed, government can be responsive to the will of the people 
only when free debate and unhampered exchange of ideas become the hallmark of the 
State. 
In the Philippines, freedom of the press is a right protected by no less than the 
Constitution. At the very core of the right is the liberty to discuss publicly and truthfully 
all matters of public interest without prior censorship or subsequent punishment. It 
signifies the freedom of a person to communicate with other members of the body 
politic. 
It was in this liberal spirit that the Congress of the Philippines enacted Republic 
Act No. 53 in 1946. The Act exempted the publisher, editor, columnist, or duly 
accredited reporter of any newspaper, magazine or periodical of general circulation from 
being compelled to reveal the source of any news-report or information appearing in 
said publication which was related in confidence to such publisher, editor or reporter, 
unless the court or a House or committee of Congress finds that such revelation is 
demanded by the security of the State. 
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As in the case of anything good, R.A. No. 53 had already outgrown its 
usefulness, so to speak. It would have been a very good law if only it anticipated the 
growth and development of mass media. Unfortunately, only members of the print 
media are covered under its provisions. 
It is beyond doubt that included within the concept of the "press" are such 
vehicles ofsommunimtions as radio, television and printed publications. Republic Act 
No. 53, therefore, failed to cope with the exigencies of modernization. 
It is in the light of the foregoing, that the approval of this measure is earnestly 
urged. 
EJERCITO ESTRADA 
Senator 
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Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada 
AN ACT 
FURTHER AMENDING SECTION ONE OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 53, OTHERWISE 
KNOWK&S AN ACT TO EXEMPT THE PUBLISHER, EDITOR, COLUMNIST OR 
REPORTER OF ANY PUBLICATION FROM REVEALING THE SOURCE OF 
PUBLISHED NEWS OR INFORMATION OBTAINED IN CONFIDENCE 
Be it enacted by the Senafe and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Section one of Republic Act Numbered Fifty-three is further 
amended to read as follows: 
"SECTION 1.Without prejudice to his liability under the civil and criminal 
laws, the publisher, editor, columnist, or duty accredited reporter of any 
newspaper, magazine or periodical of general circulation and the manager or 
duly accredited reporter or newscaster of any radio or television station, network 
or facility, cannot be compelled to reveal the source of any news-report or 
information appearing in said publication or emanating from said radio or 
television station, network or facility which was related in confidence to such 
publisher, editor or reporter unless the court or a House or Committee of 
Congress finds that such revelation is demanded by the security of the State." 
SECTION 2. €ffecfivifya - This Act shall take effect immediately upon its 
approval, 
APPROVED, - _- 
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