Fifteenth Congress ofthe Republic 
of the Philippines 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 2505 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution under Article III of the Bill of Rights Section 4 provides that "No law 
shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the 
people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances". 
Freedom of \the press is guaranteed by a government of free public press for its citizens 
and their association, extended to members of news gathering organizations, and their published 
reporting. It also extended to news gathering and processes involved in obtaining information for 
public distribution. 
Freedom of the press implies that all people should have the right to express themselves 
in writing or in any other way of expression of personal opinion or creativity. The Universal 
Declaration of Human Rights indicates: "Everyone has the rzght to freedom 0/ opinion and 
expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, 
receive, and impart information and ideas through any media regardless ofji-ontiers". 
This bill seeks to amend Republic Act No. 53 "An Act Exempting the Publisher, Editor 
or Reporter of any Publication from Revealing the Source of Published News or Information 
Obtained in Confidence" to include broadcast and Internet media in the privilege statute allowing 
journalist to decline from revealing bis or her source except when the court or Congress finds the 
revelation necessary for national security. 
The amendment will give them the same protection: "the journalist cannot be compelled 
to reveal the source of any news item, news report or information reported or disseminated in the 
media which was related in confidence to the journalist." 
The bill will not only strengthen the confidence of journalist in broadcast, news agencies 
and in the Internet sector but will recognize the important role they play, alongside print 
reporters, and in nation building. 
Hence early approval of this bill is highly recommended. 
--~ 
Il'IilnNG REVILLA, JR. 


Fifteenth Congress of the Repnblic 
of the Philippines 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 2505 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 53, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE 
, 
KNOWN AS AN ACT TO EXEMPT THE PUBLISHER, EDITOR OR 
REPORTER OF ANY PUBLICATION FROM REVEALING THE SOURCE OF 
PUBLISHED NEWS OR INFORMATION OBTAINED IN CONFIDENCE BY, 
INCLUDING WITHIN ITS COVERAGE, JOURNALISTS FROM BROADCAST, 
NEWS AGENCIES AND INTERNET PUBLICATIONS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines In 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Section 1 of Republic Act No 53, as amended, is hereby further amended 
as follows 
"Section I. Without prejudice to his liability under the civil and criminal 
laws, [the publisher, editor, columnist or duly accredited reporter of any 
newspaper, magazine or periodical of general circulation cannot be compelled to 
reveal the source of any news report or information appearing in said publication 
which was related in confidence to such publisher, editor or reporter unless the 
court as or a House or committee of Congress] A DULY ACCREDITED 
JOURNALIST OF ANY PRINT, BROADCAST, INTERNET, OR WIRE 
SERVICE ORGANIZATION, INCLUDING THE PUBLISHER, STATION 
OWNER AND/OR MANAGER, BUREAU CHIEF, EDITOR, NEWS 
EDITOR, WRITER OR REPORTER, CORRESPONDENT, OPINION 
COLUMNIST OR COMMENTATOR, CARTOONIST, PHOTOGRAPHER, 
OR OTHER PRACTITIONER INVOLVED IN THE WRITING, EDITING, 
COMMENTING OF THE NEWS FOR MASS CIRCULATION CANNOT 
BE COMPELLED TO REVEAL THE SOURCE OF ANY NEWS ITEM, 
NEWS 
REPORT 
OR 
INFORMATION 
APPEARING 
OR 
BEING 
REPORTED OR DISSIMINA TED IN SAID MEDIA, WHICH WAS 
RELATED 
IN 
CONFIDENCE 
TO 
SUCH 
JOURNALIST 
OR 
PRACTITIONER UNLESS 
THE 
COURT OR THE HOUSE 
OF 
REPRESENTATIVES OR THE SENATE OR ANY OF ITS COMMITTEES 
finds that such revelation is demanded by the security of the state." 
SECTION 2. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules or 
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or 
modified. 
SECTION 3. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
publication in at least two newspapers of national circulation. 
Approved,