Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

946
HOUSE BILL No. 4713

Introduced by Reps. TEDDY A. CASINO and NERI JAVIER COLMENARES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Almost a decade ago, on film legend Lino Brocka’s 10® Death Anniversary, friends and admirers
dubbed May 22 as an unofficial Freedom of Expression Day, in commemoration of Brocka’s
unwavering crusade for freedom of artistic and intellectual expression.

Brocka, once a member of the Constitutional Commission that drafted the 1987 Philippines
Constitution, has been credited for putting the phrase “freedom of expression” in the Bill of Rights.

After his father’s untimely death, Brocka (born on April 3, 1939) became a houseboy, a working
student and an odd job worker before getting a shot at filmmaking. He got into the University of the
Philippines through a scholarship and had wanted to become an actor for a drama club, but because
of his “probinsyano” background, he was relegated as stage hand.

Determined to get into theater, he later joined the Philippine Educational Theater Association
(PETA) where he worked as errand boy and then as scriptwriter. He got his biggest break when he
was asked to direct Mars Ravelo’s comics Wanted: Perfect Mother into a film. It became a big hit,
paving the way for him to later start his own movie company.

Brocka is known for masterpieces showing graphic depictions of social injustice. His movies
centered on characters living in poverty and a prejudiced society. ‘These include award-winning films
Tinimbang Ka Neunit Kulang, Maynila: Sa Kuko ng Liwanag, Insiang and Jaguar,

Directing at the time of Martial Law, Brocka’s Bayan Ko: Kapit sa Patalim was deemed subversive by
the Marcos administration and was heavily censored with all rally scenes deleted. It underwent a legal
battle but was later smuggled into France and was shown at the 1985 Cannes Film Festival and won
several awards at the Gawad Urian. The Marcos regime ordered Brocka’s arrest but he was later
released.

It was during that time that he founded the Concemed Artists of the Philippines (CAP) to
encourage mote artists to address societal issues and oppose government repression.


In 1986, he was selected as member of the Constitutio:

Commission. He fought to insert the
ficedom of expression clause and is credited for the Constitution’s Article IL, Section 4 which
readls, "No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or of
the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances."

\ couple of vears later, he colliborated with Pete Lacaba and directed Ongrooiis (Fight Vor Us)

which criticized the violation of human tights and the support for vigilantes by the new
administeation. Like Baye Ka, it was banned for commercial exhibition but received 22 citations
from international and local award-giving bodies.

All throughour his career, Brocka was known as a non-compromi
controversial political and sexually loaded scenes in films thar critic
pushed for the nights of workers, the LGBT community and Filipinos

ing visionary that used

ed the prevailing norms and
in general

Brocka was a le

sgendlary direccor

just because of his technical brilhanee but because of his
unwavering prineiples and political consciousness which in tue pushed him 10 create films that
made viewers aware and critical of the conditions around them. He deviated trom the commercial
format and chose stories not because they were bankable but because they were worth telling.

Brocka died on May
National \rnst for Film,

1991 atter

ral car accident. He was given a posthumous distinction as

\s.a mibute to Brocka and the efforts of his close friends and admirers in nor only commemorating
the life of a truly gifted artist, but also the fight for freedom expression, this bill aums to formalize
the deekiration of May 22 as Freedom of Expression Day

In establishing a freedom of espre:
expression in pursuing demoer

sion day, this bill hopes to impart the importance of freedom of

This bill further seeks to en

wore people to oppose censorship and repression, as well as the
practice of compromising artistic and intellectual expression for commercial purposes.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval thercof is highly recommended

Ippvared.

pod oe ea
TEDDY A. CASINO NER! J.
Bayan Muna Party-list

Bayaly Muna Party-list


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4713

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Reps. TEDDY A. CASINO and NERI JAVIER COLMENARES|

AN ACT
DECLARING MAY 22 OF EVERY YEAR AS FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION DAY
IN COMMEMORATION OF NATIONAL ARTIST FOR FILM LINO BROCKA.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “Freedom of Expression Day Act” to commemorate
National Artist Lino Brocka’s contribution to the Film industry and the Filipino People as a non-
compromising visionary and champion of artistic and intellectual expression.

SECTION 2. In order to commemorate Lino Brocka as a leading advocate of freedom of
expression, to uphold art that sheds light on social realities and human conditions and to encourage
artists and the general public to continuously struggle against repression and censorship, May 22 of
every year is hereby declared as a special working holiday to be known as the “Freedom of
Expression Day.”

SECTION 3. Schools, government agencies and offices and establishments in both the public and
private sectors shall celebrate this observance with ceremonies and activities that demonstrate
national commitment to freedom of expression, democracy, human rights and justice and that pay
homage to Brocka and like-minded artists and individuals who fought against the tyranny of
censorship and repression

‘The National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Department of Education, Philippine
Information Agency, premier state schools and universities and other art and film institutions and
groups shall take the lead in establishing prominent activities and productions across the country in
this regard,

SECTION 4. To ensure the meaningful observance of the holiday as herein declared, all heads of
government and private facilities, offices and instrumentalities shall encourage and afford sufficient
time and opportunities for their employees, personnel or students to engage and participate in any

activity to mark the “Freedom of Expression Day.”


SECTION 5. ‘The funds necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be included in the
budgets of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and Department of Education under
the General Appropriations Act of the year following the enactment of this Act.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in at least two (2)
newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,