TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
)
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 250
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Introduced by Senator Erwin Tulfo
AN ACT
DECRIMINALIZING LIBEL, REPEALING FOR THIS 
PURPOSE ARTICLES 353, 354, 355,356, 357, 360, 361 AND 362 
OF ACT NO, 3815, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS 
“THE REVISED PENAL CODE” AND SECTION 4 (c) 4, 
CHAPTER II OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10175, OTHERWISE 
KNOWN AS THE “CYBERCRIME PREVENTION ACT OF
2012”
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article III, Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution states that: "No law 
shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of 
the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition 
the government for redress of grievances." The legislature must stand 
by these constitutionally ordained guarantees by repealing our libel 
laws.
This representation is deeply committed to the values enshrined 
in our Constitution: the right to free expression, the pursuit of truth, and 
the defense of the democratic space. While libel laws protect people 
from malicious imputations, the crime has often been used as a weapon 
to suppress dissent rather than advance justice.
Decriminalizing libel does not mean that people can say anything 
without consequences. False and malicious statements should still 
carry consequences. But instead of sending people to jail, violators


should be held civilly liable. Libel should be treated as a civil matter 
and not a crime, ensuring justice without compromising free expression 
or disproportionately punishing speech.
This bill seeks to decriminalize libel not to weaken accountability 
but to promote fairness and protect free expression.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of the measure is earnestly 
sought.
mTWLFO


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
JL-8 P5 :24
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 250
Introduced by Senator Erwin Tulfo
AN ACT DECRIMINALIZING LIBEL, REPEALING FOR 
THIS PURPOSE ARTICLES 353, 354, 355, 356,357, 360, 361 
AND 362 OF ACT NO, 3815, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE 
KNOWN AS “THE REVISED PENAL CODE” AND SECTION 
4 (c) 4, CHAPTER II OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10175, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “CYBERCRIME 
PREVENTION ACT OF 2012”
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Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Articles 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 360, 361 and 362 
of Act No. 3815, as amended, otherwise known as "The Revised Penal 
Code" are hereby repealed.
SEC. 2. Seetion 4 (e) 4, Chapter II of Republic Act No. 10175, 
otherwise known as the "Cybercrime Prevention Aet of 2012" is hereby 
repealed.
SEC. 3. Nothing in this Act shall preclude the offended party 
from instituting an aetion for damages under Article 2176 of Republic 
Act No. 386, otherwise known as the "Civil Code of the Philippines,"


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and other analogous provisions. All defenses otherwise available to a 
defendant in a criminal prosecution for libel, including proof of truth, 
shall be available as defense in civil action for damages.
SEC. 4. Separability Clause. - Should any provision or part of this 
Act be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions and 
parts hereof, insofar as they are separable from the invalid ones, shall 
remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, issuances, 
rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this 
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in the Ojficial Gazette or in at least two (2) 
newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,