EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

itroduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez
3775

House Bill No.
EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to qualify the killing of members of broadcast and print media in the
performance of their duties as a crime of murder to protect them on the occasion of the
lawful exercise of their functions.

According to a study made by the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility
there have been 28 journalists and media practitioners killed in the line of duty since 2001
These reported killings have brought undue attention on the country’s state of press
freedom, supposedly one of the freest in the worid. We cannot have that in a republican
democratic state where democracy is primarily infringed on the freedom of speech and of
expression, and where media is considered the Fourth Estate

in 2018, Filipino journalists still continue to face online harassment, violence and
various threats, according to the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility. From 2016
to 2018 alone, there have been 12 cases of media killings

There is a need to stop these useless killings and protect members of the media in
the discharge of their functions. This bill addresses such need by classifying the killing of a
member of the media while in the lawful exercise of his or her duties as a crime of murder
under Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought

ly.

RUFUS B. ROD! EZ


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

3. Rodriguez _

introduced by Representative Rufus |
3775

House Bill No.

AN ACT
QUALIFYING THE KILLING OF MEMBERS OF BROADCAST AND PRINT MEDIA IN THE
LAWFUL EXERCISE OF THEIR FUNCTIONS AS SUCH, AS A CRIME OF MURDER
PUNISHABLE UNDER ARTICLE 248 OF THE REVISED PENAL CODE, AS AMENDED

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic of the
Philippines in Congress assembled.

SECTION 1. Article two hundred forty-eight of the Revised Penal Code as amended by
Republic Act No. 7659 is hereby further amended to read as follows:

ART. 248. Murder. — Any person who. not falling within
the provisions of Article 246 shall kill another, shall be
guilty of murder and shali be punished by reclusion
perpetua to death, if committed with any of the following
attendant circumstances:

1) With treachery, taking advantage of superior strength,
with the aid of armed men, or employing means to weaken
the defense or of means or persons to insure or afford

impunity:
2) In consideration of a price, reward or promise:

3) By means of inundation, fire poison. explosion
shipwreck, standing of a vessel, derailment or assault upon
a street car or locomotive, fall of an airship by means of
motor vehicle, or with the use of any other means involving
great waste and ruin;

4) On occasion of any of the calamities enumerated in the
preceding paragraphs or. any other public calamity

5) With evident premeditation:

6) With cruelty, by deliberately and inhumaniy augmenting
the suffering of the Victim, or outraging or scoffing at his
person or corpse.

7) WHEN THE PERSON KILLED IS A MEMBER OF THE
BROADCAST AND PRINT MEDIA, ON OCCASION OF
THE LAWFUL EXERCISE OF HiS DUTIES OR
FUNCTIONS AS SUCH MEMBER”


SEC. 2. Repealing Clause - All laws decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations or parts thereof, inconsistent the provisions of this Act are hereby modified or
repealed accordingly.

SEC. 3. Effectivity — This Act shall take effect after the lapse of fifteen (15)days
following its complete publication in the official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general
circulation, whichever is earlier

Approved.