FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
1 
S. B. No. 
603 
Introduced by Senator JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The proliferation of obscene material may be attributed to the lack of local 
agencies which monitor, initiate, prosecute and receive complaints for violations 
of our law on obscenity. It has been observed that local enforcement agencies 
have not alwa ys been consistent in their campaigns against these obscene 
materials which are practically available to anyone. And despite the seasonal 
campaigns of local enforcement agencies, particularly in the National Capital 
Region, we are yet to see the people behind the proliferation of obscene 
materials prosecuted and dealt with accordingly by law. 
The Revised Penal Code in the Article 201 paragraphs 2 and 3 imposes a 
penalty of prision mayor and fine to the authors, editors, owners of the 
establishment responsible for the dissemination of obscene materials. Sufficient 
in form and substance, this provision of the law is, however, often ignored by 
those who find it worthy to desecrate the society's morality in exchange for 
gainful profits. 
It is the objective of this bill to provide for the local monitoring agencies in 
all municipalities and cities to arrest the proliferation of obscene materials in their 
respective jurisdiction. These local agencies will monitor all periodical 
publications, being published, sold and otherwise distributed in their respective 
jurisdiction, receive complaints from their constituents, initiate the prosecution 
and, recommend the cancellation of business permits of establishments, for 
violations of the law on obscenity. 
The early passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
Senator 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
S E N A T E  
S. B. No. 
G O 3  
Introduced by Senator JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE CREATION OF A LOCAL PRINT MEDIA 
MONITORING BOARD IN ALL MUNICIPALITIES AND CITIES, TO 
PREVENT THE PROLiFERATlON OF OBSCENE PUBLlCATiON AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Represenfafives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Local Anti-Smut 
Campaign Act of 2007." 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the 
State to protect its people especially the youth and women from immoral, 
obscene and pornographic materials for their physical, moral, spiritual, 
intellectual and social wellbeing. 
SEC. 3. - Local Print Media Monitoring Board. - There is hereby created 
in every municipality and city of the country a Local Print Media Monitoring Board 
which shall: (a) monitor all the periodical publications being distributed, 
disseminated, sold and made available within their respective jurisdiction; (b) 
seek the assistance of local enforcement agencies to identify the publishers and 
persons responsible for the publication and proliferation of obscene materials, (c) 
cause the prosecution of all persons involved for violations of Article 201 of the 
Revise Penal Code as amended, and other related laws; (d) receive complaints 
from its constituents regarding the proliferation of obscene materials within its 
jurisdiction and act accordingly on such complaints; (e) recommend the 
cancellation of the business permits of those found violating the provisions of this 
Act, the provisions of Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code as amended, and 
related laws, and (9 perform such other acts necessary to carry out the 
objectives of this Act. 
SEC. 4. Composition of the Local Print Media Monitoring Board. -The 
Local Print Media Monitoring Board (hereafter referred to as "the Board") shall be 
composed of the MunicipalitylCity Mayor as its ex-officio Chairman, the 
Municipality Legal Officer as its ex-officio Secretary, the President of the liga ng 
mga barangay, the President of the pambayang pederasyon ng mga 
sangguniang kabataan, and a representative from the women sector of the 


locality as its members. The Board shall meet at least twice a month or as 
frequently as may be necessary to carry out its functions. Except for the 
representative from the women sector, no member shall receive additional 
compensation or emoluments whatsoever for this purpose. The Board may fix, 
subject to the approval of the local sanggunian, the per diem allowance of the 
representative of the women sector for every Board meeting actually attended. 
SEC. 
5. Mandatory Complimentary Copy of All 
Periodical 
Publications. - All publishers of periodical publication, including newspapers, 
tabloids, magazines, comic books, and other similar printed materials, shall 
furnish all the local Board complimentary copies of all their publications, where 
such publications are being printed, distributed, disseminated, sold or otherwise 
made available to the public upon the effectivity of this Act. 
SEC. 6. Certification of the Local Board. - Business permits of 
publishers of periodicals and distributors and sellers shall not be renewed by the 
local government unit concerned without the certification of the Board that said 
publishers, distributors and sellers complied with the provision of this Act. 
SEC. 7. lmplemenfing Rules and Regulations. The Department of 
Interior and Local Government shall promulgate the necessary rules and 
regulations to implement this Act. 
SEC. 8. Penalty Clause. - Publishers found to have violated the 
provisions of Section 5 hereof shall be imposed a fine of not less than Twenty 
Five Thousand Pesos (P25,OOO.OO) but not exceeding One Hundred Thousand 
Pesos (P100,OOO.OO). The local government unit concerned may, upon the 
recommendation of the Board, suspend the business permit of the publisher, who 
fails to comply with the provisions of Section 5 hereof. 
SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - Should any part of provision of this Act is 
declared valid or unconstitutional for any purpose, none of the other parts or 
provisions shall be affected. 
SEC. 70. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, decree, 
institutions, rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of 
this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 11. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,