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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLI 
1 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
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S E N A T E  
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S. No. 
Introduced by Senator S. R. Osmefia 111 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Television, home video programs and motion pictures have become the 
dominant medium of entertainment and information. The advent of fiber optics 
and the development of satellite and cable technologies have increased the 
scope and breadth of services than can be offered via television. 
This bill seeks to require all franchise holders, operators and producers of 
domestic television stations and television programs, home video program and 
motion pictures to have their programs and films broadcast with closed captions 
so as to benefit persons with hearing impairment. 
Most modern technologies have taken the pains to provide remedies with 
state of the art artificial methods to overcome human problems, including 
physical disabilities. This is the saving grace of our time. The provisions of this 
bill will allow persons with hearing impairments to enjoy the fruits of human 
technology along with the rest of the viewing public. 
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly requested. 
- It 
SERGIO OSMEQA Ill 
Senator 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLI 
1 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
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S E N A T  
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Introduced by Senator S. R. Osmeiia 111 
AN ACT 
VIDEO PROGRAMS AND MOTION PICTURES AND PROVIDING PENALTIES 
FOR VIOLATION THEREOF 
REQUIRING CLOSED-CAPTIONS IN TELEVISION PROGRAMS, HOME 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic of 
the Philippines in Congress assembled: 
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Section I. 
Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the 
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State to give particular attention to the needs of persons with physical infirmities 
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providing them the equal opportunity to enjoy life as a person without physical 
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impairment does. 
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Sec. 2. Definition of closed-Caption. - As used in this Act, Closed- 
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Caption shall mean a method of captioning or subtitling of television, home video 
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programs and films for hearing-impaired or foreign language viewers without 
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interfering with the normal television picture and films, by coding captions as 
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vertical interval data signal which is decoded at the receiver and super-imposed 
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on the television picture or on films of motion pictures. 
Sec. 3. Requirement for Closed-Captions in Television Programs, 
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Home Video Programs and Motion Pictures. - Any provision of law to the 
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contrary notwithstanding, holders of legislative franchise or operators of 
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television broadcasting stations or cable (CATV) television systems and 


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producers of television programs, home video programs and motion pictures 
shall be required to show their programs and films with closed-captions. 
Sec. 4. Penalfies. - Any holder of legislative franchise or operator of 
television broadcasting stations or cable (CATV) television systems and producer 
of television programs, home video programs and motion pictures who shall 
violate the provision of the preceding section shall be punished by a fine ranging 
from fifty thousand pesos (P50,OOO.OO) to one hundred thousand pesos 
(PlOO,OOO.OO) or by imprisonment ranging from six (6) months to one (I) 
year or 
both, at the discretion of the court and shall, in addition suffer the ipso facto 
revocation of their legislative franchise, license or permit to operate the business. 
In case, the offender is a corporation, partnership or association, or any 
other juridical person, the president, manager, administrator or the person7in-< 
charge of the management of the business shall be liable therefor. 
If the offender is an alien, in addition to the penalties herein prescribed, he 
shall, after service of sentence, be deported without further proceedings on the 
part of the Commission on Immigration. 
Sec. 5. Promulgafion if lmplementing Rules and Regulations. - The 
National Telecommunications Commission, in consultation with the Movie and 
Television Review and Classification Board and Videogram Regulatory Board, 
shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective 
implementation of this Act. 
Sec. 6. Repealing Clause. - Any provisions of law, decree, executive 
order or any issuance inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed and/or modified 
accordingly. 
Sec. 7. Effecfivify Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in at last two (2) national 
newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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