Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

631
H.B. No.

Introduced by HONORABLE JUAN EDGARDO “SONNY” M. ANGARA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

While the Constitution affirms the freedom of speech, of expression and of the press, a
report conducted by a New York-based Committee to protect Journalists in 1996 yielded that
members of the media in the Philippines have been continually subjected to harassment by the
military, influential families who maintain feudal-like control of some areas, large corporations
and even the government itself, to the point that even murder is committed against them.

It is in the rural areas outside Metro Manila, where radio is the dominant medium
because of an under-developed infrastructure and high illiteracy, where such serious abuses
are pervasive. Since press people are faced with the dangers which go along their line of duty,
while exposing the truth, especially those which are sensitive, controversial and emotional, it is,
the duty of the government to ensure their protection and welfare.

This bill seeks to amend the Revised Penal Code thus making the killing of members of
the broadcast and print media qualified as murder punishable under Article 248 of the same
Code.

Immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.



FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

631

H. B. No.

Introduced by Honorable JUAN EDGARDO “SONNY” M. ANGARA

AN ACT
QUALIFYING THE KILLING OF MEMBERS OF BROADCAST AND
PRINT MEDIA ON THE OCCASION OF THE EXERCISE OF THEIR FUNCTIONS AS
SUCH, AS A CRIME OF MURDER PUNISHABLE UNDER
ARTICLE 248 OF THE REVISED PENAL CODE, AS AMENDED

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

SECTION 1. Article two hundred forty-eight of the Revised Penal Code as amended by
Republic Act No. 7659 is hereby further amended to read as follows:

“ART, 248, Murder. Any person who, not falling within the provisions of Article
246 shall kill another, shall be guilty of murder and shall be punished attendant
circumstances:

While treachery, taking advantage of superior strength, with the aid of
armed men, or employing means to weaken the defense or of means
or persons to insure or afford impunity;

2

In consideration of a price, reward or promise;

3)

By means of inundation, fire poison, explosion, shipwreck, standing of
a vessel, derailment or assault upon a street car or locomotive, fall of
an airship, by means of motor vehicle, or with the use of any other
means involving great waste and run;

4) On occasion of any of the calamities enumerated in the preceding
paragraph, or an earthquake, eruption of a volcano, destructive

cyclone, epidemic, or any other public calamity;

5)

With evident premediation;

6

With cruelty, by deliberately and inhumanly augmenting the suffering
of the victim, or outraging or scoffing at his person or corpse;


7) WHEN THE PERSON KILLED IS A MEMBER OF THE
BROADCAST AND PRINT MEDIA, ON OCCASION OF THE
LAWFUL EXERCISE OF HIS DUTIES OR FUNCTIONS AS SUCH
MEMBER.”

SEC. 2, Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders or regulations or part thereof
inconsistent wit t this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 3. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following the completion

of its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspaper of general circulation in the
Philippines.

Approved,