EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 1523
■ J2 ,A?0 '46
Introduced by SENATOR LEILA M. DE LIMA
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR MANDATORY INSURANCE COVERAGE AND 
BENEFITS AND HAZARD PAY FOR JOURNALISTS, EMPLOYEES OF 
MEDIA ENTITIES ON FIELD ASSIGNMENTS AND FREELANCE 
JOURNALISTS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The importance of press freedom cannot be overemphasized. For one, it plays a 
crucial role in informing citizens about public affairs as well as monitoring the actions 
of public officials at all levels of government. On the other hand, the free press can also 
serve as a conduit by the citizens to voice their concerns and express criticisms when 
government officials fail to meet the standards expected of them by the public. Thus, 
the free press acts as a bridge connecting the government and its citizens and is a 
crucial institution that is essential to maintaining a robust and vibrant democracy.
Recently, the results of an annual survey on the global state of press freedom 
was released by non-profit group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) which evaluates 
the state of journalism in 180 countries and territories globally. RSF calls this the 
World Press Freedom Index and ranks the participating countries and regions 
according to the level of freedom available to journalists. In essence, it is a snapshot of 
a country or region’s media freedom situation based on an evaluation of pluralism, 
independence of the media, quality of legislative framework and safety of journalists.1
Analysis of the results for the 2019 edition of the survey revealed that an 
“intense climate of fear” had been triggered worldwide, which serves as a precursor to
1 Reporters Without Borders. “The World Press Freedom Index: Reporters without Borders.” RSF, January 17, 
2019. https://rsf.org/en/world-press-freedom-index.


unsafe reporting environments for many journalists, especially those reporting from 
within authoritarian regimes.2 According to the countries and territories surveyed, 
only 24% were classified as either “good” or “satisfactory” situations, with 8% 
representing the former and 16% for the latter.3 The report also states that the Asia 
Pacific region is characterized by “totalitarian propaganda, censorship, intimidation, 
physical violence and cyber-harassment”. 4 It further notes that as democracies 
struggle against various forms of discrimination, it takes a lot of courage and mental 
fortitude to work independently as a journalist in the Asia Pacific.
The Philippines is no exception as we have continued to rate poorly in the 
rankings since its inception in 2002. For instance, since 2013, the Philippines has been 
rated as low as 149th and has never ranked higher than i27th.s For 2019, the Index 
ranks our country’s Press Freedom Index 134th and classifies our situation as 
“difficult”.6 The report cites the attacks of the present Duterte administration against 
news website Rappler and its editor, Maria Ressa, as emblematic of our present 
situation.7 This case remains one of the most infamous instances of harassment and 
intimidation against journalists under the present administration.
A separate report presented jointly by the Center for Media Freedom and 
Responsibility (CMFR) and the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines 
(NUJP) serves to validate this climate of fear and intimidation that the RSF suggests 
is being propagated and perpetrated against members of the media. According to the 
CMFR and NUJP report, since President Duterte assumed power from 30 June 2016 
to 5 December 2019, there have been a total of 154 attacks and threats against the news 
media.8 These cases thus far include 15 journalists who have been killed under the 
Duterte administration, 28 incidents of intimidation, 20 cases of online harassment.
2 Reporters Without Borders. “2019 World Press Freedom Index - A Cycle of Fear.” RSF, April 18,2019. 
https://rsf.org/en/2019-world-press-freedom-index-cycle-fear.
3 Ibid.
4 Reporters Without Borders. “2019 RSF Index: Asia-Pacific Press Freedom Impacted by Political Change.” 
RSF, April 18,2019. https://rsf.org/en/2019-rsf-index-asia-pacific-press-freedom-impacted-political-change.
5 Reporters Without Borders. “Philippines: Holding the Line against Duterte's Attacks: Reporters without 
Borders.” RSF. Accessed March 26,2020. https://rsf org/en/philippines.
6 Reporters Without Borders. “2019 World Press Freedom Index: Reporters Without Borders.” RSF. Accessed 
March 26,2020. https://rsf.org/en/ranking/2019.
7 Reporters Without Borders. “2019 RSF Index: Asia-Pacific Press Freedom Impacted by Political Change.” 
RSF, April 18, 2019. https://rsf.org/en/2019-rsf-index-asia-pacific-press-freedom-impacted-political-change.
8 Freedom for Media Freedom for All Network. “STATE OF MEDIA FREEDOM IN PH. Media Freedom in 
PH: Red-Tagging, Intimidation vs. Press: Du30, State Agents behind 69 Cases.” MindaNews, December 10, 
2019. https://www.mindanews.com/statements/2019/12/state-of-media-freedom-in-ph-media-freedom-in-ph- 
red-tagging-intimidation-vs-pressdu30-state-agents-behind-69-cases/.


12 threats via text messages, 12 libel cases, 10 website attacks, eight assassination 
attempts, and eight cases of journalists who were barred from coverage.9 The ominous 
threats that President Duterte issued when he was sworn in back in 2016 seems to be 
coming to fruition.10
Nevertheless, the history of attacks against members of the media is not 
exclusive to the present administration. It can be traced as far back to the time of 
President Marcos, particularly when he placed the Philippines under Martial Law by 
virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 1081 on 21 September 1972. A week later, he 
would issue Letter of Instruction No. 1, which authorized the military to seize and take 
over the assets of major media outlets across the country as he accused them of 
engaging in “subversive activities against the Government”.11 This led to the arrest of 
several well-known journalists at the time, including Amando Doronilla, Luis Beltran, 
Maximo Soliven, Juan Mercado and Luis Mauricio, as well as publishers Teodoro 
Locsin Sr. of the Philippine Free Press and Joaquin “Chino” Roces of The Manila 
Times.12 President Marcos would go on to issue Presidential Decree No. 36, which 
cancelled the franchise and permits of all media facilities who were allegedly trying to 
undermine his government.13
In 1986, the toppling of the authoritarian regime of President Marcos through 
the EDSA Revolution restored Philippine democracy and along with it, the promise of 
a brighter, more just and equitable society for the Filipino people who had long 
suffered under Martial rule. For the many journalists and members of the media who 
were either jailed, tortured, or forced into hiding, this development meant that they 
could once again perform their key functions both as watchdogs against abusive 
governments and as representations of the critical voices of the citizens.
This vision would not come to be fully realized for the hopeful journalists and 
members of the media as cases of media killings have continued to persist in the
9 Ibid.
10 Agence France-Presse. “Duterte on Killings: Corrupt Journalists Asked for It.” Rappler, May 31,2016. 
https://www.rappler.com/nation/134921-duterte-endorses-killing-corrupt-joumalists.
11 Martial Law Museum. “Breaking the News: Silencing the Media Under Martial Law.” Martial Law Museum. 
Accessed March 26,2020. https://martiallawmuseum.ph/magaral/breaking-the-news-silencing-the-media-under- 
martial-law/.
12 Antoni, John Renz. “Press Freedom during and after Martial Law.” The Manila Times. The Manila Times 
Publishing Corp, September 25,2019. https://www.manilatimes.net/2019/09/26/campus-press/press-freedom- 
during-and-after-martial-law/621731/.
13 Ibid.


Philippines post-democracy. According to the non-government organization Center 
for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), there have been a total of 152 killings 
dating back from April 1986 up to 30 May 2016.*4 Of this figure, 83 media persons 
were killed under the Arroyo administration, of which a staggering 32 alone were killed 
in the infamous Maguindanao massacre, which claimed a total of 58 lives.1s
Even within their own institution, journalists face the problem of 
contractualization, with no security of tenure and no legally mandated benefits, 
despite rendering years of service in the media networks that employ them.16 This lack 
of social safety nets and job security is tantamount to unfair labor practices and places 
these journalists in a perilous position should the companies they work for decide to 
terminate their employment for whatever reason.
At present, members of the media are facing a new threat as the COVID-19 virus 
has managed to spread far and wide across the Philippine archipelago. Many 
journalists and field reporters risk getting infected with the virus just so they can 
provide timely and factual information to the Filipino people amidst the panic and 
confusion that has gripped the nation.1^ In spite of the dangers of contamination, they 
willingly place their own health and well-being at risk out of a sense of duty to the 
Filipino people and commitment to their craft.
There is a pressing need to safeguard the welfare of our journalists in light of 
the dangerous and even life-threatening circumstances they encounter on a daily basis. 
Thus, it is imperative that they be provided adequate social safety nets so as to create 
an environment where they can effectively perform their duties and serve as the 
medium where freedom of expression and information can truly thrive.
This measure therefore seeks to defend and uphold press freedom by promoting 
the safety and well-being of journalists, specifically, by mandating the provision of 
additional insurance benefits for journalists, employees of media entities on field
14 Tan, Lara. “Duterte Blames Corrupt Journalism for Media Killings.” cnnphilippines.com, June 1,2016. 
https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2016/06/01/Media-killings-joumalists-Duterte-Philippines.html.
15 Ibid.
16 Patag, Kristine Joy. “Labor Group: Appeals Court Ruling on GMA Labor Case 'Proves' Fighting for Job 
Security Is Not Wrong.” philstar.com. The Philippine Star, February 26,2020.
https://www.philstar.eom/headlines/2020/02/26/1996252/labor-group-appeals-court-ruling-gma-labor-case-
proves-fighting-job-security-not-wrong.
17 Camus, Miguel R. “Battle-Worn PH Media Also Face Unknown in COVID-19 Fight.” Inquirer.net. Accessed 
March 26,2020. https://business.inquirer.net/293207/battle-worn-ph-media-also-face-unknown-in-covid-19- 
fight.


assignments, and freelance journalists, in the form of disability, health, and 
hospitalization benefits.
Early approval of this bill is sought.
LEILA M. DE LIMA


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
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SENATE
S. No. 1523
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Introduced by SENATOR LEILA M. DE LIMA
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR MANDATORY INSURANCE COVERAGE AND 
BENEFITS AND HAZARD PAY 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:
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Journalists Protection 
Act of 2020”.
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the invaluable role of the 
free press in the protection and promotion of democracy, good citizenship, civic 
mindedness, and good governance. Towards this end, the State shall provide the 
necessary support to ensure that the journalists are properly compensated and insured 
as they practice their profession.
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall
mean:
(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.
(b) Freelance Journalist - one who pursues journalism and writes for any 
publication without being regularly employed by such publication, 
television or radio, wire, wireless broadcasting and online services.


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(c) Front-line media persons - specifically refers to those directly involved in
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data-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 - the 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 through
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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 - refers to all companies in the print and broadcast media
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(radio, television and newspapers) that are involved in the dissemination of
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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 limited
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to, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Philippine Press Institute
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(PPI), Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP),
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Photojournalists’ Center of the Philippines (PCP), People’s Alternative
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Media Network (Altermidya), National Press Club (NPC), National Union of
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Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) and Kapisanan ng mga Broadcaster
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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 employed 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
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Employees of Media Entities on Field Assignments. - In addition to the present
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insurance benefits provided to journalists and employees of media entities on field
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assignments by the Social Security System (SSS) as mandated under R.A. No. 8282,
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otherwise known as the Social Security Law, and by the Government Service Insurance
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System (GSIS) under R.A. No. 8291, there shall be an additional insurance coverage to
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be provided by media entities to journalists and their employees on field assignments
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and front-line media persons which shall give the following minimum benefits:


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(i) Disability Benefits of Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos
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(f 350,000.00) for all mass media practitioners who shall suffer total
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or partial disability, whether permanent or temporary, as a result of
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any injury sustained during performance of duty;
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(2) Death benefits amounting to Three Hundred Thousand Pesos
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(P300,000.00) for all mass media practitioners and employees on
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field assignment who shall perish in the line of duty; and
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(3) Reimbursement of actual medical costs up to Two Hundred
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Thousand Pesos (P200,ooo.oo) for all mass media practitioners and
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employees on field assignments who shall be hospitalized or who
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shall require medical assistance for injuries sustained while in the
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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. Grant of Hazard Pay. - All qualified journalists, employees of media
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entities on field assignments and freelance journalists deployed in calamity-affected
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places, strife-torn or embattled areas, distressed or isolated stations, prison camps,
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mental hospitals, radiation-exposed clinics, laboratories or disease-infested areas or
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in areas declared under state of calamity or emergency for the duration thereof which
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expose them to great danger, contagion, radiation, volcanic activity/eruption,
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occupational risks or perils to life shall be compensated with hazard pay equivalent to
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at least twenty-five percent (25%) of their gross monthly basic salary for the duration
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of such deployment.
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Sec. 8. Tax Exemption and Non-Diminution of Benefits. - Hazard pay for
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journalists, employees of media entities on field assignments and freelance journalists
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shall not be subject to tax and nothing in this Act shall be construed as to diminish, in
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any manner, any benefit granted by existing laws, rules and regulations and other
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issuances especially favorable to said journalists and employees of media entities.


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Sec. 9. Prohibited Acts. - The following acts shall be prohibited:
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(a) Refusal or failure by a media entity to provide additional insurance coverage
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referred to in Section 5 of this Act;
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(b) Refusal or failure by a media entity to provide hazard pay referred to in
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Section 7 of this Act;
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(c) Refusal by an insurance company to enroll journalists, employees of mass
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media entities on field assignment and freelance journalists on account of
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the nature of their work; and
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(d) Non-compliance with the rules and regulations that the GSIS, SSS, and PIA
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shall adopt for the implementation of this Act.
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Sec. 10. Penal Provisions. — Any person who shall willfully commit any of the
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prohibited acts enumerated under this Act shall, upon conviction, be punished by a
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fine not less than Three Hundred Thousand Pesos (^300,000.00) but not more than
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Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (Psoo,ooo.oo) or imprisonment of not less than one
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(1) year but not more than six (6) years or both depending upon the discretion of the
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court.
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Provided, that if the offender is a public official, in addition to the penalties
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stated in the preceding paragraph, the penalty of perpetual disqualification from office
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shall be imposed.
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In the case of associations, partnerships or corporations, the penalty shall be
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imposed on the partner, president, chief operating officer, chief executive officer,
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directors or officers responsible for the violation, and cancellation of registration with
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the SEC.
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Sec. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The GSIS, SSS, PIA, and 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 implement the
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provisions of this Act.
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Sec. 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees,
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presidential proclamations, letters of instructions, rules and regulations or parts
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thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
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modified accordingly.


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Sec. 13. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared
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unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof not affected shall continue
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to be in full force and effect.
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Sec. 14. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following
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its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation
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in the Philippines.
Approved,