NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
S'niau
tr of iiif ^ '
23 JUL 20 P 2 38
SENATE
s. No. 2335
RKCEIVED BY;
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR MANDATORY INSURANCE COVERAGE AND BENEFITS FOR 
JOURNALISTS, EMPLOYEES OF MEDIA ENTITIES ON FIELD ASSIGNMENTS 
AND FREELANCE JOURNALISTS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Journalists play an invaluable role in every society. They are responsible for 
providing current and relevant information 24-7. Due to the nature of their profession, 
they are considered as one of the most vulnerable sector.
It is during the most dangerous situations like typhoons, floods, war and 
conflicts, and especially during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic that the bravery 
and passion of our journalists has been emphasized. Thus, the need to provide the 
necessary support to ensure that journalists are properly compensated and insured 
corresponding to the hazard of their profession.
This bill will provide additional insurance coverage such as disability and death 
benefits, and reimbursement of medical costs for journalists and employees of media 
entities on field assignments. For freelances journalists, a special program will be 
created under the SSS and GSIS.
Immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
MARK A. VILLAR


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
Si No. S c
of Ci-C ffi f ft.iri’
23 JUL 20 P2 38
RCCtlV'tOBY.
Introduced by Senator MARK A. VILLAR
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR MANDATORY INSURANCE COVERAGE AND BENEFITS FOR 
JOURNALISTS, EMPLOYEES OF MEDIA ENTITIES ON FIELD ASSIGNMENTS 
AND FREELANCE JOURNALISTS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. -This Act shall be known as ""JournalistProtection Act'.
2 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Principles. -The State recognizes the invaluable role of
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the free press in the protection and promotion of democracy, good citizenship, civic
4 
mindedness, and good governance. Towards this end, the State shall provide the
5 
necessary support to ensure that the journalists are properly compensated and insured
6 
as they practice their profession.
7 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. -For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall
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mean:
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a. Editorial and/or News Department refers to editors-in-chief, news, 
editors, columnists, deskmen, reporters, correspondents, and 
photographers in the case of the print media; and news editors, 
newscasters, commentators/announcers, field reporters, field 
correspondents, and cameramen in the case of the broadcast media;


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b. Freelance journalist one who pursues journalisnn and writes for any
2 
publication without being regularly employed by such publication,
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television or radio, wire, wireless broadcasting and online services;
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c. Front-line media persons refers to those directly involved in data-
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gathering from the field, and news reporting whether in print, on
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television or on radio, such as, but not limited to, print reporters,
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cameramen, photojournalists, radio reporter and television reporters;
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d. Journalism \he gathering, writing, editing, processing and dissemination
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of news and production or publishing of newspapers and other such
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publications such as magazines and pamphlets and other processes
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through wire, wireless, broadcasting, and online services;
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e. Journalist shall mean any member of the Editorial and/or News
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Department including front-line media persons;
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f. Media entities xeJexs to all companies in the print and broadcast media
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(radio, television and newspapers) that are involved in the dissemination
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news and information for public consumption and are duly accredited by
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and duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
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and by any reputable association of media persons such as, but not
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limited to, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Philippine Press
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Institute (PPI), Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippine
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(FOCAP), Photojournalists' Center of the Philippines (PCP), People
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Alternative Media Network (Altermidya), National Press Club (NPC),
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National Union of Journalists of the Philippine (NUJP) and Kapisananan
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ng mga Broadcaster ng Pilipinas (KBP).
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Sec. 4. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to all permanent, temporary,
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contractual, and casual journalists employees or engaged to work by all existing media
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entities in the Philippines, as well as freelance journalists plying their trade in war-
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torn, disease-stricken, or otherwise perilous areas.
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Sec. 5. Mandatory Additional Insurance Benefits for Journalists, and Employees
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Media Entities on Field Assignments. - In addition to the present insurance benefits
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provided to journalists and employees of media entities on field assignments by the


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Social Security System (SSS) as mandated under Republic Act No. 8282, otherwise
2 
known as the Social Security Law, and by the Government Service Insurance System
3 
(GSIS) under R.A. No. 8291, there shall be an additional insurance coverage to be
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provided by media entities to journalists and their employees on field assignments and
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front-line media persons which shall give the following minimum benefits:
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1. Disability Benefits - Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos (P350,000) for
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all mass media practitioners who shall suffer total or partial disability,
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whether permanent or temporary, as a result of any injury sustained
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during performance of duty;
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2. Death benefits - Three Hundred Thousand Pesos (P300,000) for all mass
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media practitioners and employees on field assignment who shall perish
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in the line of duty; and
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3. Reimbursement of actual medical costs - Up to Two Hundred Thousands
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Pesos (P200,000) for all mass media practitioners and employees on
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field assignments who shall require medical assistance for injuries
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sustained while in the performance of duty.
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The media entity shall have the option of selecting the insurance company and
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shall be responsible for paying the insurance premiums for their journalists and
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employees.
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Sec. 6. Insurance for Freelance Journalists. -The SSS and GSIS shall create a
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special insurance program for freelance journalists that shall include, among others, a
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coverage of risks incurred while working in war zones, conflict-stricken areas, and
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calamity-affected places.
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Sec. 7. Prohibited Acts. -The following acts shall be prohibited:
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a. Refusal or failure by a media entity to provide additional insurance
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coverage referred to in Section 5 of this Act;
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b. Refusal by an insurance company to enroll journalists, employees of
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mass media entities on field assignment and freelance journalists on
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account of the nature of their work; and


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c. Non-compliance with the rules and regulations that the GSIS, SSS, and
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PIA shall adopt for the implementation of this Act.
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Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The GSIS, SSS, PIA, in
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consultation with the NPC, NUJP, KBP, and other duly registered media associations,
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shall promulgate and issue the rules and regulations necessary to strictly implement
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the provisions of this Act.
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Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If any section or provision of this Act shall be
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declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions not affected
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thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
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Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, or rules and regulations
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which are inconsistent or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby amended
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or repealed accordingly.
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Sec. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in two (2) newspaper of general circulation.
• Approved,