SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) 
FIRST REGULAR SESSION 
) 
SENATE. 
Senate Bill No. 
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INTRODUCED BY SENATOR VICENTE C. SOTTO III 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Republic Act No. 53, otherwise known as ''''An Act to Exempt the 
Publisher, Editor or Reporter of any Publication from Revealing the Source of 
Published News or Information Obtained in Confidence" was passed in 1946 
upon the proposal of the late Senator Vicente Yap Sotto when dissemination of 
news and investigative reports was not as sophisticated as it is today. 
Technology has advanced by leaps and bounds and with it, the 
expansion of the coverage of mass media where news and investigative reports 
are not only broadcast through the print media, but also through radio, 
television, cable and the internet. The law was conceived at a time when today's 
technology was unthinkable. Nonetheless, the purpose of the law of protecting 
and enhancing the freedom of the press, so as to inform the public of current 
events and issues that affect their lives, remains relevant and important. 
To conform with the changes of the times and further protect the freedom 
of the press, it is proposed that the said law be amended to expressly include 
the responsible personnel from radio, television, cable and internet-based 
media from the exemption contemplated by the law. 
In view thereof, earnest approval of this bill is requested. 
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CENTt-t. SOTTO III 


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($ff~;t \14 tilf' .S:~Hl t'tnr\t 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) 
FIRST REGULAR SESSION 
) 
"13 
JUL -1 
Pl2:22 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. n 
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INTRODUCED BY SENATOR VICENTE C. SOTTO III 
AN ACT 
AMENDING SECTION 1 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 53, OTHERWISE KNOWN 
AS "AN ACT TO EXEMPT THE PUBLISHER, EDITOR OR REPORTER OF 
ANY PUBLICATION FROM REVEALING THE SOURCE OF PUBLISHED NEWS 
OR INFO;R,MATION OBTAINED IN CONFIDENCE". 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Section 1 of Republic Act No. 53, otherwise known as "An 
Act to Exempt the Publisher, Editor or Reporter of any Publication from 
Revealing the Source of Published News or Information Obtained in 
Confidence" is hereby amended to read as follows: 
I 
"Section 
1. 
The 
publisher, 
editor, 
{STATION 
MANAGER, PRODUCER, NEWS DIRECTOR,} or duly 
accredited reporter of any {PRINT, BROADCAST OR 
ELECTRONIC MASS MEDIA, INCLUDING BUT NOT 
LIMITED TO,} newspaper, magazine or periodical of 
general circulation, {RADIO, TELEVISION, CABLE, 
INTERNET SITE AND OTHER ELECTRONIC MEDIA 
OUTLET} cannot be 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 interest of the State." 
SECTION 2. Repealing Clause - All laws, executive orders, rules and 
regulations or any part thereof inconsistent herewith are deemed repealed, 
modified or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 3. Separability Clause - In case any provision of this Act is 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions hereof which are not 
affected thereby shall continue in full force and effect. 
SECTION 4. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its publication in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved.