EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
S E N A T E
S. No. 670
of U5C fectrelarp
•19 JUL 22 P2:15
In tro d u ce d  by SENATOR RAMON BONG R E V II,,^, JR,
AN ACT
DECLARING AUGUST 30 OF EVERY YEAR AS "NATIONAL PRESS FREEDOM 
DAY"
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article III Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution assures press freedom by stating 
that, No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of 
the press x x x".
The freedom of the press is an essential part of our history and an important 
component of our nationhood. 
Marcelo Hilario del Pilar, who was a writer and 
journalist under the pen name "Plaridel" and regarded as the father of Philippine 
journalism, contributed significantly to the freedom that the press is enjoying now and 
is endeavouring to enjoy.
There are many challenges in ensuring the freedom of the press in the country 
but all the stakeholders are continually contributing their share to uphold this 
constitutional right. For more reasons than one, the thriving press freedom in the 
country is worth celebrating.
This measure proposes the declaration of "National Press Freedom Day", and 
designates it to be August 30, the date of birth of Marcelo H. del Pilar. It mandates 
the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED),


and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to organize 
activities that will inform and educate the public about the importance of the press, 
their rights and social responsibilities, and the elimination of all forms of violence 
against the press.
This measure was already approved on Third Reading by the House of 
Representatives in the 17th Congress but remained pending in the Senate Committee 
on Public Information and Mass Media.
The immediate passage of this bill is highly recommended.
R A M O ^ O N G  R EVIL LA, JR.


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E
S. No. 670
(9ff.ce of tl,c feftrefdiP
•19 JUL22 P2:15
In tro d u ce d  by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVItLA, JR.
AN ACT
DECLARING AUGUST 30 OF EVERY YEAR AS "NATIONAL PRESS FREEDOM 
DAY"
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representative o f the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Section 1. 
August 30 of every year is hereby declared as "National Press 
Freedom Day" in honor of Marcelo H. Del Pilar, the father of Philippine Journalism, 
who wrote under the pen name "Plaridel", and who was born on August 30, 1850.
Sec. 2. To ensure the meaningful observance and celebration of National Press 
Freedom Day, all government agencies and instrumentalities, the Armed Forces of the 
Philippines, the Philippine National Police, government-owned and controlled 
corporations, local government units, as well as the private sector shall afford 
sufficient time and opportunity for their employees to engage and participate in any 
related activity to be conducted in the premises of their respective offices or 
establishments.
Sec. 3. The Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education, 
and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority in consultation with the 
Office of the President, government and private media organizations shall lead public 
and private schools at all levels in organizing consciousness-raising activities on the 
importance of the press, their rights and social responsibilities, and the elimination of 
all forms of violence against the press.


2
3
4
1
Sec. 4. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,