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Fifteenth Congress of the Repu blic 
Ofthe Philippines 
First Regular Session 
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SENATE 
S.B.No. 1990 
Introduced By Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
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 tbe 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 spacp and understanding between and among Muslims and 
Non-Muslims, and 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. 


Fifteenth Congress of the Republic 
Ofthe Philippines 
First Regular Session 
, 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B.No. 1990 
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• J a Of" T, ,i: SECM,.. 
Introduced By Senator Ramun Bong Revilla, Jr. 
AN ACT PROHffilTING 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 CRIME OR UNLAWFUL ACT 
AND PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREOF 
Be it enacted by the Senate mid 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 tine 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 
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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,