THIRTEENTH CONdRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
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OF THE PHIIAPPWES 
First Regular Session 1 
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S E N A  
S.B. No. 
1 Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 111, Section 7, provides that “the right of the people to 
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information on matters of public concern shall be recognized.” 
This constitutional provision grants to parents the right to be informed about the nature of 
video games, which has become a preferred leisure activity of adolescents and children. 
The concern of parents is justifiable, because researches show that playing or viewing 
video games have effects on the player. The studies show that playing video games may affect 
some children’s physical functioning. (Funk, J.J. “Reevaluating the Impact of Video Games.” 
Clinical Pediatrics. 1993), or that the social content of video games may influence children’s 
attitudes towards gender roles (Provenso, E.F., Jr. “The Video Generation.” American School 
Board Journal. 1992). )And since it is likely that there is similarity in the effect of viewing 
television programs and playing violent video games on the aggressive behavior of an individual, 
one should also take notice of correlative researches on the matter (Clark, C.S. “TV Violence.” 
CO Researcher. 1993). 
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However, according to Funk, banning video games may not prove to be in the child’s 
The best way may be to limit the playing time and monitor game selection 
best interest. 
according to developmental level and game content. 


This bill aims io provide parents with useful information about the nature of video games 
so they can be more Fffective in managing the child’s recreational privileges by creating an 
Interactive Entertainmknt Rating Board. 
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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHIIh‘PINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
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i Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
SECTION 2. Declaration ofpolicy. - 
It is a policy of the State to protect and promote 
the right of the people on matters ofpublic concern. 
SECTION 3. Dejinition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the terms: 
(1) “Video Games” and “Video Devices” mean any interactive computer game, 
including all software, framework and hardware necessary to operate a game available 
commercially; and 
(2) “Video Game Industry” means all manufacturers of video games and related 
products. 
SECTION 4. The Interactive Entertainment Rating BoaFd. - 
Establishment - There is established the Interactive Entertainment Rating 
Board (hereafter in this Act referred to as the “Board”) which shall be an independent 
establishment in the executive branch. It shall have its principal office in Metro Manila 
and shall be under the Offce of the President of the Philippines. The Board shall provide 
(1) 
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parents with information about the nature of video games which are used in homes or 
public areas, including arcades of family entertainment centers in accordance with such 
rules and regulations to be adopted by the Board. 
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(2) Members of the Board. - (A)(i) The Board shall be composed of ten (10) 
members. No bore than three (3) members shall be affiliated with any one (1) political 
pasi. 
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(ii) The'members shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines, and with 
the advice andiconsent of the Senate. The President shall designate one (1) member as 
the Chairman of the Board. They shall serve for a term of: two (2) years, unless sooner 
removed by tie President for any cause; Provided, that they shall be eligible for 
reappointment after the expiration of their teim. If the chairrnan or any of the members 
fails to complete hisher term, any person appointed to fill the vacancy shall serve only 
for the unexpired portion of the term of the Board member whom heishe succeeds. 
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No person shall be appointed to the Board, unless he is a natural-born citizen of 
the Philippines4 not less than twenty-five (25) years of age, and of good moral character 
and standing in the community; Provided, That in the selection of the members of the 
Board due consideration shall be given to such qualifications as would produce a multi- 
sectoral combination of expertise in the various areas of the video game industry; 
Provided, further, That at least (2) members must be members of the Philippine Bar. 
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The Chairman, and members of the Board, shall be entitled to transportation, 
representation, and other allowances which shall in no case exceed Fifteen Thousand 
Pesos (P 15,000.00) per month. 
(2) All members shall be appointed within 60 days after the date of the enactment 
of this Act. 
(3) Terms - Each member shall serve until the termination of the Board. 
(4) Vacancies - A vacancy on the Board shall be filled in the same manner as the 
original appointment. 
(5) Organizational Pattern; Personnel. - The Board shall determine .its 
organizational siructure and its staffing pattern. It shall have the power to suspend or 


dismiss for cause any employee and/or approve or disapprove the appointment, transfer 
or detail of employees. It shall appoint the Secretary of the Board who shall be the 
official custodian of the records of the meetings of the Board and who shall perform such 
other duties and functions as directed by the Board 
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(6) Consultants. - The Board may procure by contract, to the extent funds are 
available, the iemporary or intermittent services of experts or consultants. The Board 
shall give public notice of any such contract before entering into such contract. 
contents of 
SECTION 5. Authority and Functions of the Board. - 
(1) VOLWTARY STANDARDS - (A) The Commission shall - 
(i) dGing the one-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this 
video games to purchasers and users; and 


(2) REGULATORY AUTHORITY - Effective on and after the date occurring one (1) 
year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Board may promulgate regulations requiring 
manufacturers and sellers of video games to provide adequate information relating to violence or 
sexually explicit content of such video games to purchasers and users. 
SECTION 6. Applicability of Civil Service Law. - The Board and its officers and 
employees shall be subject to the Civil Service Law, rules and regulations; Provided, That 
technical personnel shall be selected on the basis of merit and fitness to be determined in 
accordance with such qolicies and guidelines as may be approved by the Board. 
SECTION 7. Auditor. - The Chairman of the Commission on Audit shall be the ex 
officio Auditor of the Board. For this purpose, he may appoint a representative who shall be the 
auditor of the Board, together with the necessary personnel to assist said representative in the 
performance of his duties. The number and salaries of the auditor and said personnel shall be 
determined by the Chairman of the Commission on Audit, subject to the rules and regulations of 
the Commission on Audit. Said salaries and all other expenses of maintaining the auditor’s 
ofice shall be paid by Ihe Board. 
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The Auditor &all, as soon as practicable, but not later than three (3) months after the 
accounts have been submitted to audit, send an annual report to the Board. The Auditor shall 
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also submit such periodic or special reports as the Board may deem necessary or proper. 
SECTION 8. Registration. - No person, whether natural or juridical, may engage in the 
importation, exportation, production, reproduction, exhibition, showing, sale, lease or disposition 
of video games unless such person is first registered with and permitted by the Board to operate 
as such. The registration with and permit issued by the Board is a condition precedent for 
securing a business permit or license from the appropriate authorities. 
SECTION 9. Assistance in the Enforcement Functions of the Board - The Board may 
solicit the direct assistance of other agencies and units of the government, and may deputize, for 


eriod, the heads or personnel of such agencies and units to perform 
The government agencies and units exercising the 
the Board shall, insofar as such functions are concerned, be subject to 
of the Board. 
the direction and control of the Board. 
SECTION 10. ~ Penalty. - Any person who violates any of the provisions of this Act or 
rules and regulations to be promulgated pursuant thereto, either as principal, accomplice or 
accessory, shall, upon conviction, suffer a mandatory penalty of three (3) months and one (1) day 
to one (1) year imprisonment plus a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,OOO.OO) but 
not more than One Hdndred Thousand Pesos (PlO0,OOO.OO). Should the offense be committed 
by a juridical person, the chairman, the president, secretary, treasurer, or the partner responsible 
therefore, shall be the person penalized. 
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SECTION 11. ;Termination. - The Board shall terminate ninety (90) days after the Board 
submits a written determination to the President that voluntary standards are established that are 
adequate to warn purchasers of the violent or sexually explicit content of video games. The 
Board shall not be in existence for more than five (5) years. 
SECTION 12. ppropriations. -The sum of Three Million Pesos (P3,000,000.00) out of 
any available funds from the National Treasury is hereby appropriated and authorized to be 
released for the organilation of the Board and its initial operations. Henceforth, funds sufficient 
to fully carry out the fdnctions and objectives of the Board shall be appropriated every fiscal year 
in the General Appropriations Act. 
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All fees, revenues, and receipts of the Board from any and all sources shall be used to 
augment the funds to support the expenditures needed by the Board in the pursuit of its purposes 
and objectives and the exercise of its powers and functions, and for such other purposes as may 
hereafter be directed by the President of the Philippines. 


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SECTION 13. 
this Act shall, within 
the President. The 
accomplishments tog 
operations and the sur 
Annual Reports. - The Board, in addition to the other reports required in 
lree months after the end of every fiscal year, submit its annual report to 
m a l  report shall include, among others, a statement of the Board’s 
her with its plans and recommendations to improve and develop its 
rvision and regulation of the video game industry. 
SECTION 14. ~ Separability Cluuse. - If any provision or part thereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law of the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 15. Repealing CZause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, or inconsistent 
with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 16. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved. 
Fn: 1441 
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