Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS,
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO.__ 2658

Introduced by HONORABLE LANI MERCADO-REVILLA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The use of the words “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,

Islam is the religion of a considerable number of our brothers and sisters, mostly living in
the southern part of the Philippine archipelago. Some of them have migrated and settled in many
areas in Luzon and the Visayas.

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”.

Outlawing this culturally and religiously biased practice would definitely contribute and
result in increased positive social space and understanding between and among Muslims and
Non-Muslims, and will pave the way 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.

mnie MERCADOO-REVILLA

2" District, C:



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _2658

od

Introduced by HONORABLE LANI MERCADO-REVILLA

AN ACT PROHIBITING THE USE OF THE WORD “MUSLIM” OR “ISLAMIC” 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 JE OR UNLAWFUL ACT AND
PROVIDING PENAL’ THEREFOR

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

SECTION 1. Prohibited Act. - It is hereby declared unlawful for any person to use the
word “Muslim” or “Islamic” 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.

SECTION 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, shall be imposed
upon any person found guilty of violating Section 1 hereof.

SECTION 3. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any section or provision of this
Act shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, the other section or provision not otherwise affected
shall remain valid thereby.

SEC.TION 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
proclamations, rules and regulations which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 5. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,