EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
)
e- *•
S. No
S E N A T E
448
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•19 JUL 15 A 9 55
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
PROHIBITING THE USE OF WORDS THAT WOULD DENOTE RELIGIOUS, 
REGIONAL OR ETHNIC AFFILIATION IN PRINT, RADIO, TELEVISION 
INCLUDING CABLE TELEVISION AND OTHER FORMS OF BROADCAST 
MEDIA TO REFER TO OR DESCRIBE ANY PERSON SUSPECTED OR 
CONVICTED OF A CRIME OR UNLAWFUL ACT AND PROVIDING PENALTIES 
THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The use of the words such as "Muslim" and "Islamic" in association with 
suspected or convicted criminals and unlawful acts are offensively biased against 
Muslims. This practice is highly prejudicial and extremely injurious to the Islamic 
religious culture, Muslim individuals and their collective image, and the Muslim's 
social well-being as respectable citizens of the country.
Unfortunately, some members of the local and national media continue to 
callously lambaste the Muslim religious culture by describing criminals and suspects 
with terms such as "Muslim Criminals", "Muslim Terrorists", Muslim Drug Pushers", 
"Muslim Sea Pirates", "Muslim Bandits" or "Muslim Hold-uppers". This happens not 
only to our Muslim brothers and sisters, but also to our ethnic fellow Filipinos. Media 
outfits use adjectives such as "Mangyan pickpockets" or "Tausug pirates."
Outlawing this religiously and culturally-biased practice would definitely 
contribute and result in increased positive social space and understanding between


and among us, Filipinos. This will help drive the path towards a just, culturally 
sensitive, fair, and lasting peace and development in the country.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
RAM^W BONG REVILLA, JR.


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
I-A
V  ;•» 
j'* 
-
S. No.
S E N A T E
448
af il:f r 
r;
'19 JUL 15 A 9 55
RECi.1
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
PROHIBITING THE USE OF WORDS THAT WOULD DENOTE RELIGIOUS, 
REGIONAL OR ETHNIC AFFILIATION IN PRINT, RADIO, TELEVISION 
INCLUDING CABLE TELEVISION AND OTHER FORMS OF BROADCAST MEDIA 
TO REFER TO OR DESCRIBE ANY PERSON SUSPECTED OR CONVICTED OF A 
CRIME OR UNLAWFUL ACT AND PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Prohibited Act. - I t  is hereby deciared unlawfui for any person to use 
the words that wouid denote reiigious, regionai or ethnic affiliation in print, radio, 
television, including cable television and/or any form of broadcast media to refer to or 
describe any person suspected of or convicted of a crime or any unlawful act.
Sec. 2. Penalties. -  The penalty of arresto mayor or a fine ranging from One 
thousand pesos (Php 1,000.00) to Ten thousand pesos (Php 10,000.00) or both, at the 
discretion of the court, shall be imposed upon any person found guilty of violating 
Section 1 hereof.
Sec. 3. Separability Cause. -  If for any reason any section or provision of this 
Act is declared unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby 
shall continue to be in full force and effect.


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Sec. 4, Repealing Clause. -  All laws, orders, rules and regulations or parts 
thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 5. Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,