Republic of the Philippines

Bouse of Representatives
Queson City, Metro Manila
Fifteenth Congress
First Regular Session

2398

House Bill No.

Introduced by Honorable ROMEO M. ACOP

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Not everyone can be a Korina Sanchez, Noli de Castro, Ted Failon, Mel Tiangco, Ces Drilon
or Max Soliven to mention a few of the prominent members of the media industry who have
Put life, limb and reputation on the line in order to achieve the level of success they have
reached today.

There are countless others who plod the streets night and day in order to find that elusive
story, cover that newsworthy event or catch that photo opportunity that will be their ticket
to popularity and success in the cut-throat world of journalism.

There are those in search of truth and justice, upholding the ideals of democracy and who
ultimately fall in the wayside by way of the capricious whims of a natural disaster or the
planned actuations of people in power angered or insulted by media reports.

Lastly, there will be those who use their media credentials to further their ulterior motives,
pad their wallets or meet whatever unscrupulous goals they have.

But by far and large, the media industry and its members are involved in an occupation that
requires courage, integrity and honesty. It's too bad that recently, members of the media
are being killed left and right, with the culprits still unidentified. This continuing injustice is
giving the Philippines a black-eye in the international media community, as evidenced by the
recent international opinion that our country is one of the most dangerous places for
Journalists.

Measures should be taken in order to uphold the welfare of the media, this being one of
them. Thus, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly requested.

MEO



Republic of the Philippines
Bouse of Representatives
Queson City, Metro Manila
Fifteenth Congress
First Regular Session

2338

House Bill No.

Introduced by Honorable ROMEO M. ACOP

AN ACT
STRENGHTENING THE INDEPENDENCE OF MEDIA IN THE PHILIPPINES BY
ESTABLISHING THE JOURNALISTS WELFARE FUND AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

Section 1. Title. This Act shall be known as the “Journalists Welfare Act of 2010”

Section. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is declared the policy of the State to protect the
media industry and take all measures necessary to preserve its independence. The State
recognizes the vital role of media in protecting the right of the people to information and
serving as a tool in expressing the people's sentiments and opinion on matters affecting
public interest, thereby securing the very essence of democracy.

Section. 3. Definition of Terms. As used in this Act, the term :

‘a) “Journalists” shall refer to those directly engaged or assisting in news gathering,
news reporting, news editing, news dissemination/publication, including news
‘commentaries, duly accredited for at least six months, either as owners, publishers
‘or employees by the news publication, radio station/network, television station or
network or such other mass media outfit principally engaged in the news business
they are connected or working with, said business being registered with the
Securities and Exchange Commission or with the Department of Trade and Industry.

b) “Fund” shall refer to the Journalists Welfare Fund

Section. 4. Journalists Welfare Fund, In pursuit of the abovementioned policy, a
Journalists Welfare Fund, hereinafter referred to as the Fund, is hereby established to
protect and ensure the welfare of journalists by providing them monetary benefits for work-
connected injury, disability or death.

Section. 5. Journalists Cooperative. The Fund shall be administered by the Journalists
‘Cooperative herein created for the purpose, and the management of which shall be with its
Board of Directors (Board) consisting of ten (10) members, excluding its Chairman, with
four (4) accredited news practitioners, two (2) Cooperative Development Authority


representatives and four (4) representatives from employer groups. The Fund's use shall be
subject to the rules and regulations as may be adopted by the Board.

Section. 6. Remittance. Media outfits principally engaged in the news business, whether
print, radio or television, shall set aside one percent (1%) of their income derived from
every ad/commercial placement for the benefit or welfare of journalists and shall form part
of the Fund, Provided, that such amount be daimed as tax credit by the media outfits,
subject to the rules and regulations of the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

‘A system of remittance for the one percent (1%) ad/commercial income to the
Cooperative shall be established within one (1) year by the Cooperative, provided that said
tax credits may only be availed after the remittance system has been established.

Section. 7. Appropriations. The amount of Fifty Million Pesos (P 50,000,000.00) shall be
appropriated by the national government as start-up capital for the Cooperative and shall be
included in the General Appropriations Act allocation of the CDA upon the year of approval
of this Act.

Section. 8. Separability. If any provision of this Act is declared invalid, the remainder
thereof or any provision not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Section. 9. Repealing Clause. Al laws, decrees, orders and rules and regulations or parts
thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or
modified accordingly.

Section. 10. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,