FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No . • :2017 
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Introduced by SENATOR EDGARDO J. ANGARA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Some members of the local and national media continue (0 callously lambast the 
Muslim religious culture of describing criminals and suspects with terms such as 
"Muslim Criminals", "Muslim TeITorists", "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 ofthe country. 
Outlawing this culturally and religiOllsly 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 out country. 
The immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
w/~ 
EDGARDO J. ANGARA 
Senator 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. ~017 
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 in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Prohibited Act. - It shall be unlawful for any person to use the word 
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"Muslim" or "Islamic" in print, television and other fOlms of broadcast media to refer to 
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or describe any person convicted of a crime or suspected of committing any unlawful act. 
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SEC. 2. Penalties. - The penalty of areslo mayor or a fine ranging from One 
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thousand pesos (Php 1,000.00) to Ten thousand pesos (Php 10,000.00), or both, at the 
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discretion of the court, shall be imposed upon any person found guilty of violating 
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Section I hereof. 
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The publisber, in the case of print media, and the president of the juridical entity, 
lOin the case of radio, television and other forms of broadcast media, shall be imposed a 
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fine not lower than Fifty thousand pesos (Php 50,000.00). 
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The juridical entity violating this Act shall be imposed a fine·not lower than Fifty 
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thousand pesos (Php50,000.00) for every violation, or cancellation of its license or 
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franchise, or both, at the discretion ofthe court. 
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SEC. 3. Repealing Clause. - All laws, orders, issuances, rules and regulations or 
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parts thercofinconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified or 
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amended accordingly. 
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SEC. 4. Separability Clause. - If any party of this Act is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the other parts or provisions thereof not affected thereby shall remain 
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valid and effective. 
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SEC. 5. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (I5) days from its 
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publication in alleast two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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