THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
1 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
4 
*La 
1 
S.B. No. 
Introduced by Senator JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Our law enforcement agencies are always under pressure to solve crimes, 
particularly the high profile cases , at the earliest possible time. Due to the clamor of the 
people for peace and order, the police are only too eager to please and thereby 
receivedsupport and approval from a hungry public. 
Today law enforcement agencies usually present a picture,a suspect or a set of 
suspects in a press conference with an announcement that a case has been solved. It is 
during these press conferences that the public gets a first glimpse of the suspects. 
In the process of presenting suspect in a press conference, however, some 
fundamental arts rights are violated. While an accused enjoys due process and the 
constitutional presumption of innocence, a suspect who is presented press conference 
is subjected to unwanted publicity. Even if the charges, it at all they are filed, are latter 
dismissed, the zeal of our law enforcers in showing that they are on top of a case could 
besmirch the name and reputation of a suspect or his or of his family. In so far as the 
suspect - whose name and face have already appeared in newspapers or television - 
is concerned, that the harm has already been done. 
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Presenting suspects to the public before formal charges are filed against them 
violates their human dignity. The bill proposes that those who present suspect in a 
press conference be held criminally, civilly or administratively liable. 
The bill also proposes certain guidelines on what the police can do to keep the 
public informed as to the status of pending high-profile cases. 
The approval of this bill is earnestly requested. 
IT0 ESTRADA 
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JU 
54 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
1 
.
.
 
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Introduced by Senator JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AM ACT 
SUSPECTS IN CRIMINAL lMWESTlGATIQNS BEFORE CASES ARE FORMALLY 
FILED AGAINST THE SUSPECTS 
PROHIBITING THE 
PRESENTATION TO THE PRESS OR PUBLIC OF 
Be if enacted by fhe Senafe and House of the Represenfafives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled 
SECTION I. 
Declaration ofPolicy.- It is the policy of the State to safeguard the 
right to presumption of innocence of all citizens including suspects in criminal 
investigations. 
SECTION 2. Unlawful Act. - It shall be unlawful for any person to present 
publicly or a press conference any suspect who is being investigated by a government 
office for possible criminal liability before formal charges are filed against him or her, 
unless there is a written consent by the suspect with the assistant of counsel. 
This Act, however, does not apply to suspects who are at large or for whom 
warrant of arrest have been issued. Their names and photographs ca be provided to the 
public for dissemination order to facilitate their arrest. 
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SECTION 3. Acts Allowed.- Officials who have custody of a suspect and 
knowledge of his her arrest may inform the public the fact that suspect has been 
arrested, the crime for which he or she was arrested, the time, date ,place, manner and 
other circumstances concerning the arrest but should not include the identity and 
personal circumstances concerning the arrest. 
SECTION 4. Access of Media. - Interview by media may be allowed by upon 
the suspects written consent with the assistance of counsel. No interview shall be 
allowed without the presence of counsel unless the suspects waives such privilege in 
writing. 


SECTION 5. Penal@. - Any person who shall violate this Act shall suffer the 
penalty Six Months and One Day to Six Years or a fine of Twenty thousand Pesos or 
both. 
SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive 
orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act 
are hereby repealed or immediately modified accordingly. 
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SECTION 7. Effecfivify. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) national newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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