THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE IiEl'vBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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President Ramos issued Executive Order No. 293 on 15 January 1996 placing Channels 
4,9, and 13 under the direct supervision and control of the Office of the Press Secretary. Channel 
4 is the official govemment television station while Channels 9 and 13 are sequestered television 
companies. E.O. No. 293 allegedly aims to streamline the organizational and functional 
operations of agencies attached to the Office of the Press Secretary 
Exposed to the light of day, however, E.O. No. 293 is nothing less than a violation of 
constitutional mandate tlyat no law shall be passed abridging the freedoms of speech, of 
expression, or of the press. This mandate means that in a free society, one's beliefs should be 
shaped by his mind and his conscience rather than coerced by the State. 
This bill seeks the passage of a Free Communications Act to prevent similar attempts by 
government, national and local, as well as by government-owned-or-controlled corporations to 
control or influence not only television but also radio, newspaper, and other media ofmass 
communication in the future. Radio, television, and newspapers are the traditional media of mass 
communication by which the freedoms of speech 
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THRTEENTB CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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THE FREE COMMUNICATIONS ACT 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House ofRepresentutives of the Philippines in ongress 
ass em bled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. -This Act shall be known as the “Free Communicat’ons Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of State Policy. - It is hereby declared state policy to permit 
private or commercial broadcast stations, newspapers and other media mass communication to 
develop with the widest journalistic freedom consistent with their public obligations. 
SECTION 3. Definition ofTevms. - 
(1) The term “private or commercial broadcast station” means a radio or television 
station which (i) disseminates radio communications or signals intended to be received by the 
public, directly or by the intermediary or relay stations; and (ii) are owned and operated by 
private individuals, foundations, coiporations, or associations. 
(2) The term “radio” or “radio communications” is given a broad meaning to include 
television, cable television, and other media of mass communication. 
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(3) The term “newspaper” means a privately-owned publication appearing at regular, or 
almost regular, short intervals of time, as daily or weekly, appearing usually in sheet form 
containing reports o f  happenings intended for the information of the general public. 
(4) The term “media of mass communication” includes television, radio, cable television, 
and other services the licensed facilities of which may be substantially 
programming or other information services within the editorial control of the licensee, 


(5) The term “linaricial support” means the total value of cash and fair market value of 
property and services received as gifts, grants, bequests, donations, or other contributions for the 
construction or operation of private or commercial broadcast stations, or for the production, 
acquisition, distribution, or dissemination of television or radio programs, and related activities, 
from the national govep~ient, 
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any local government, or any government-owned-or-controlled 
corporation. 
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SECTION 4. Prohibited Acts. - (1) No department, agency, officer, or employee of the 
national government, any local 
government, or any government-owned-or-controlled 
corporation shall exercise any direct supervision or editorial control over the ontent or 
distribution of newspaper reports or radio communications or signals that are disse inated by 
newspapers or private or commercial broadcast stations by mems of radio, television 1. 
and other 
media of mass communication. 
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(2) The prohibition mentioned in subsection (a) shall extend to newspapers or 
private or commercial broadcast stations that are receiving financial support from the national 
government, any local government, or any government-owned-or-conholled corporation. 
(3) No department, agency, officer, or employee of the national government, any 
local governnient, or any government-owned-or-controlled corporation shall exercise any direct 
supervision or editorial control over the content or distribution o fnewspaper reports o r  radio 
communications or signak on newspapers or private or commercial broadcast stations that have 
been sequestered by the national government or in which the national government or local 
government or govemmenbowned-or-controlled corporation holds ownership interest. 
SECTION 5. Prohibition or Censorship. - The national government or any of its 
departments, agencies, officials, or employees, any local government-owned-or-controlled 
corporation shall have no power of censorship over newspaper or private or commercial 
broadcast station, and no regulation or condition shall be promulgated or fixed by them that shall 
interfere with the rights of free speech, free press, and free expression by means of newspaper 
reports, radio communications, or signals. 
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SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part thereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the reminder o f t  he 1 aw o f t he provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 7. Repeuling Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of i nstruction, administrative order, rule o r  regulation contrary t 0, or inconsistent 
with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 8. Effectivity Clatlse. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
1288 
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