Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNo. 1326

Introduced by BAYAN MUNA
Reps. CARLOS ISAGANI T. ZARATE and NERIJ. COLMENARES

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

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Almost a decade ago, on the occasion of 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 a stage hand.

Determined to get into theater, he later joined the Philippine Educational Theater Association
(PETA) where he worked as an errand boy and then as a scriptwriter. He got his biggest break when
he was asked to direct Mars Ravelo’s comic strip Wanted: Perfect Mother into a film. It became a big
hit, paving the way for him to be considered as a world-renowned Filipino director.

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 Ngunit Kulang, Maynila: Sa Kuko ng Livanag, Insiang and Jaguar.

Dirceting 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. It also
won several awards at the Gawad Urian. To silence him, the Marcos regime ordered Brocka’s arrest
‘but, he was later released, still unbowed!

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

In 1986, he was selected as member of the Constitutional Commission. He fought to insert the

1


freedom of expression clause and is credited for the Constitution's Article III, Section 4 which reads,
“No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, of of the press, or of the
people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.”

A couple of years later, he collaborated with multi-awarded poet and writer Pete Lacaba and directed
Orapronobis, which criticized the violation of human rights and the support for vigilantes by the new
administration, Like Bayan Ko, it was banned for commercial exhibition but received 22 citations
from international and local award-giving bodies.

All throughout his career, Brocka was known as a non-compromising visionary who used
controversial political and sexually loaded scenes in films that criticized the prevailing norms and
pushed for the rights of workers, the LGBT community and Filipinos in general.

Brocka was a legendary director not just because of his technical brilliance but because of his
unwavering principles and political consciousness which in turn pushed him to create films that made
viewers aware and critical of the conditions around them. He deviated from the commercial format

and chose stories not because they were bankable but because they were worth telling.

Brocka died on May 22, 1991 after a fatal car accident. He was given a posthumous distinction as
National Artist for Film.

‘As a tribute to Brocka and the efforts of his close friends and admirers in not only commemorating
the life of a truly gifted artist, but also the fight for freedom of expression, this bill aims to formalize
the declaration of May 22 as Freedom of Expression Day.

In establishing a freedom of expression day, this bill hopes to impart the importance of freedom of
expression in pursuing democracy.

This bill further secks to encourage more people to oppose censorship and repression, as well as the
ige more people to oppo: ip Pr
practice of compromising artistic and intellectual expression for commercial purposes.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval thereof is highly recommended.

Approved,

Rep. pawn aa ZARATE, J. NERI J. CO}

Bayan Muna Parbylist Bayan Muna Parti


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

9g
HOUSEBILLNo, 1825

Introduced by BAYAN MUNA
Reps. CARLOS ISAGANI T. ZARATE and NERI J. 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 instrumentalitics 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,