FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
1 
S.E. No. 
-1 
I 
Introdneed by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Playing violent video games can increase a person's aggressive thoughts, feelings 
and behavior according to American Psychological Association', the largest scientific 
and professional organization representing psychology in the IJnited States and is the 
world's largest association of psychologists. 
This bill would prevent minors from purchasing or renting video games that 
exhibited any acts of violence. This is in consonance with the declared policy of the State 
to protect and rehabilitate children gravely threatened or endangered by circumstances 
which affect or will affect their survival and noma1 development and over which they 
have no control. 
The passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
Journal of Pcrsonality and Social Psycliology (April 23, 2004 , Washington, DC.) 
I 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PX-IlLIPPINES 
) 
8 Jill. 24 P6 3 0  
Second Regular Session 
1 
Iiitroduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
AN ACT 
PROHIBITING THE SALE OR RENTAL OF 
VIOLENT VIDEO GAMES TO MINORS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and Hoztse of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
asseni bled: 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall he known as the “Video Game Sale and 
Rental Regulation Act of 2008.” 
Section 2. Definitions. For purposes of this Act, the term 
(a) Consumer - means an individual purchasing,or renting the video game. 
(b) Minor - means an individual who is less than 18 years of age 
(c) Video Game - means an object or device that stores recorded data or 
instructions, receives data or instructions generated by anyone who 
uses it, and, by processing the data or instructions,, creates an 
interactive game capable of being played, viewed, or experienced on 
or through a computer, gaming system, console, or other technology. 
(d) Violent Video Game - means a video game to which all of the 
following descriptions apply: 
(1) It depicts human-on-human violence in which the player kills, 
seriously injures, or otherwise causes serious physical harm to 
a human or character with substantially human characteristics, 
including, but not 
limited to,, depictions of 
death, 
dismemberment, 
amputation, 
decapitation, 
maiming, 
disfigurement, mutilation of body parts, or criminal sexual 
‘conduct, in a manner that is especially heinous, atrocious, or 
cruel. A depiction of violence is especially heinous, atrocious, 
or cruel if it contains all ofthe following efernents: 
it depicts exceptional pain or suffering on the part of 
the victim and is accomparied by a graphic depiction 
of the victim’s injuries 
e thc violence is accomplished in the corninission of an 
act that would be punishable as a crime if it were 
committed in reality. 
1 


o the circumstances surrounding the violence indicate 
that it is committed without conscience, pity, or 
empathy. 
it is accompanied by auditory or other sensory 
elements that serve to enhance the realism of the 
visual depiction. 
(2) Taken as a whole, it lacks serious literary, artistic, political, and 
scientific value for minors, and the average person, applying 
contemporary statewide values, finds it appeals to minors' 
morbid interest in violence. 
Section 3. Prohibition and Penalties. - Except as otherwise provided a person 
shall not sell or rent a violent video game to a minor. A person who violates this Act shall 
be punished by imprisonment for not more than one (1) year or a fine of not more than 
Php100, 000.00, or both. 
Section 4. Defense. - It is an affirmative defense to a charge under Section 3 that 
the person acted in good faith. Good faith exists if all of the following conditions applied 
at the time the violation of Section 3 occurred: 
(a) The minor showed the person identification that appeared to be valid and that 
contained a photograph and a date of birth purporting to show that the minor 
was 18 years of age or older 
(b) The person did not have independent knowledge that the minor was under 18 
years of age. 
(c) That based upon subsections (a) and (b), the person complied with the video 
game ratings established by the entertainment soRware rating board. 
Section 5. Separability Clause. If any provision or part hereof is invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
remain valid and subsisting. 
Section 6. Repealing Clause. All acts, decrees, orders, executive orders, 
instructions, rules and regulations or parts hereof inconsistent with the provisions of this 
Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly, 
Section 7 .  Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fiReen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved; 
2