SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 
1.537 
. ~.ennh' 
t~!f';r "f iii. ~m"'''~ 
'13 
SEP -5 P 1 :53 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Obscene shows and pornographic entertainment in various media 
including the movies, video-cassette tapes, magazines, comics, and nightclub 
entertainment are currently enjoying an alarming insurgence. Films that feature 
"penetration" scenes and seductive nightclub acts in dingy bars and honkytonks, 
now encounter little, if any, censorship hurdles and are no longer justified by their 
producers as essential to artistic integrity. 
Although it has often been argued that "art imitates life", these scandalous 
exhibitions sensationalize the decline of national morality and the corruption of 
the citizens, particularly of the youth. That this corrosion of society's ethical 
conscience can be aggravated to a. great extent by the glamorous context of 
presentation on television and other popular media is equally true and must not 
be forgotten. 
The government's campaign against pornography has been sporadic in 
the past, often being dependent primarily upon the personalities exercising 
censorship functions and their interpretation of their responsibility as guardians of 
the national morality. Their efforts have been hampered by the lack of a 
comprehensive anti-obscenity and pornography law. 
As responsible parents and citizens, we must be vigilant against the 
bombardment of our children by obscenity and pornography. This proposed 
measure, entitled the "Anti-Obscenity Act of 2013", prohibits the public 
demonstration of the sexual act, the sale and display of materials containing 
pornographic presentations and provides penalties for violations. 
Support for the early passage of this bill is, therefore, earnestly sought. 
Senator 


, , 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 1537 
) 
) 
) 
~fttllh) 
(~fI.';r, ,,!.tIl' ,~m.t .. ~ 
·13 
SEP -5 P 1 :53 
R 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
PROHIBITING THE DEMONSTRATION, PERFORMANCE OR EXHIBITION IN 
PUBLIC 
OF 
CERTAIN 
SEXUAL 
ACTS, 
AND 
THE 
PRODUCTION, 
IMPORTATION, SALE OR DISTRIBUTION, OR PUBLIC SHOWING OR 
DISPLAY OF PORNOGRAPHIC MATERIALS, PROVIDING PENALTIES 
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Anti-
Obscenity Act of 2013". 
iJ • 
SEC. 2. Coverage of the Act. - It shall be unlawful for any person to 
perform, exhibit or demonstrate in public, before an audience, or in the presence 
of another person who is not a participant therein, any of the following acts: 
1. coitus 
2. sexually deviant acts 
a. buggery 
i. sodomy 
ii. bestiality 
iii. pederastia 
b. algolagnia 
i. sadism or active algolagnia 
ii. masochism or passive algolagnia 
c. necrophilism 
d. fellatio or irrumation 
e.cunnilingus 
f. anilingus 
g. urolagnia 
h. coprophilia 
i. masturbation 
SEC. 3. Penalties. - The penalty of imprisonment of a minimum of one (1) 
year and one day to a maximum of six (6) years, or a fine ranging from Ten 
Thousand Pesos (P10,OOO.OO) to Sixty Thousand Pesos (P60,OOO.OO) shall be 
imposed on the demonstrator, performer, actor or exhibitor in any demonstration, 
performance, or exhibition involving any sexual acts enumerated in the preceding 
section; Provided, That the penalty of imprisonment from six (6) months and One 


-. 
\. 
Thousand Pesos (P1,000.00) to Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) shall be 
imposed on the offender of anilingus, urolagnia, coprophili, or masturbation; 
Provided further, That in case the demonstrator, performer, actor or exhibitor is 
below eighteen (18) years of age, he or she shall be considered as offended 
party pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 7610, otherwise known as 
the "Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and 
Discrimination Act", and shall be placed immediately under protective custody as 
provided for in Section 28 thereof. 
SEC 4. Provided Acts and Materials. - Any person who shall portray, 
depict, or present any of the sexual acts enumerated in Section 2 of this Act in 
pictures or in writings, motion pictures, video tapes, tabloids, comics, pamphlets, 
newspapers, magazines, books, posters, cards, calendars, decals, stickers, 
paintings or photographs shown, displayed, sold or distributed in public, or in any 
place of public accommodation, shall be punished as follows: 
1. If the offender is the producer, financier, promoter, importer, author or 
writer, publisher, editor or painter of any of the materials hereinabove 
described, he shall be punished by imprisonment of from one (1) year 
and one (1) day to six (6)years and a fine ranging from One Hundred 
Thousand Pesos (P100,OOO.OO) to Two Hundred Thousand Pesos 
(P200,OOO.OO); 
2. The penalty of imprisonment of from six (6) months and one (1) day to 
four (4) years and a fine ranging from Ten Thousand Pesos 
(P10,OOO.OO) to SixtYc Thousand Pesos (P60,OOO.OO) shall be imposed 
on any person who shall. knowingly display, sell or distribute any of the 
materials described in the first paragraph hereof. This section shall not 
apply if the portrayal, depiction, representation, or description has 
legitimate judicial, educational, scientific, medical or otherwise official 
purpose. 
SEC. 5. Owner, Lessee, and Maintainer. - The penalty of imprisonment 
from one (1) year and one (1) day to six (6) years or a fine ranging from Ten 
Thousand Pesos (Pia, 000. 00) to Sixty Thousand Pesos (P60,000.00) shall be 
imposed on the owner, lessee, maintainer of any establishment who shall 
knowingly allow the commission therein of any unlawful acts enumerated in 
Sections 2 and 4 of this Act. 
SEC. 6. Common Provisions. - The following provisions shall apply to 
Sections 3, 4, and 5 of this Act. 
1. The penalty shall be imposed in its maximum if the offender is a public 
officer or employee. He shall also suffer perpetual disqualification from holding 
public office. 
2. The penalty shall likewise be imposed in its maximum if the offender 
has been previously convicted under this Act. 
3. If the offender is a corporation, partnership or association, the officer 
thereof shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment, and its business license or 
permit shall be withdrawn, cancelled or forfeited. 


' .. , 
SEC. 7. Disposition of Prohibited Materials. - Any prohibited materials 
including tools, instruments and equipment used in the production thereof shall, 
after lawful seizure and final conviction of the offender or offenders, be forfeited 
in favor of the Government and destroyed in the presence of the representatives 
of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and of religious, civic and 
youth organizations, in such place and manner as the court may order; Provided, 
however, That where the accused is acquitted, the materials seized shall 
nevertheless be forfeited in favor of the Government and destroyed; Provided 
further, That if the acquittal results from a finding that the materials seized are not 
obscene under this Act, the materials shall be returned to the said accused. 
SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code, as 
amended, is hereby further amended by deleting subparagraphs numbered 2 
and 3 thereof. Presidential Decree No. 969 is hereby amended by deleting 
Section 2 thereof. 
SEC. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
following its complete publication in Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national 
newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines. 
Approved, 
I •••