FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
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,111:- .,.c 
13.3 :":: 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 11, Section 13 provides: 
Section 13. The state recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation- 
building and shall promote their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social 
well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and 
encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs. 
Television influences children's perception of the values and behavior that are common 
and acceptable in society. 
Violent video programming influences children, as does indecent programming. There is 
empirical evidence that shows that children who are exposed to violent video programming, at a 
young age, have a higher tendency for violent and aggressive behavior later in life than those 
children not so exposed. They are prone to assume that acts of violence are acceptable behavior. 
There is a compelling governmental interest in limiting the negative influences of violent 
video programming on children. Restricting the hours when violent video programming is shown, 
as a valid exercise of police power of the State, is the least restrictive and most narrowly tailored 
means to achieve that compelling governmental interest. Warning labels about the violent 
content of video programming will not, in themselves, prevent children from watching violent 
video programming. 
This bill seeks to protect children against violent video programming, by prohibiting its 
distribution to the public during hours when children are reasonably likely to comprise a 
substantial portion of the audience.* 
' This bill was originally filed during the Thirteenth Congress, First Regular Session. 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
~ 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
PROHIBITING THE DISTRIBUTION TO THE PUBLIC OF VIOLENT VIDEO 
PROGRAMMING DURING HOURS WHEN CHILDREN ARE REASONABLY 
LIKELY TO COMPRISE A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF THE AUDIENCE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House OfRepresentatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - this Act shall be known as the “Children’s Protection from 
Violent Programming Act.” 
SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the term: 
(A) “Programming” includes advertisements but does not include bona fide newscasts, 
bona fide news interviews, bona fide news documentaries, and on-the-spot coverage 
of bona fide news events; 
(B) “Cable operator” means any person, corporation, partnership or association engaged 
in the distribution of television programs through cable or any similar technology; 
and 
(C) “Distribute” means to send, transmit, retransmit, telecast, broadcast, cablecast, 
including by wire, microwave, or satellite. 
SECTION 3. Unlawful distribution. - It shall be unlawful for any commercial television 
and public telecommunication entities, including cable operators to 
(A) Distribute to the public any violent video programming, inclusive, of programming 
that contains gratuitous violence, during hours when children are reasonably likely 
to comprise a substantial portion of the audience; or 
(B) Knowingly produce or provide material for such distribution. 
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SECTION 4. Prohibition on Violent Programming. - 
(A) The National Telecommunications Commission shall conduct a rulemaking 
proceeding to implement the provisions of this section and shall promulgate final 
regulations pursuant to the proceeding not later than nine (9) months after the date 
of enactment of the Children’s Protection from Violent Programming Act 
(B) As part of the proceeding, the Commission - 
(1) May exempt from the prohibition, news programs, documentaries, educational 
programs, and sporting events whose distribution does not conflict with the 
objective of protecting children from the negative influences of violent 
programming; 
(2) Shall exempt premium and pay-per-view cable programming; and 
(3) Shall define the term ‘hours when children are reasonably likely to comprise a 
‘substantial portion of the audience’ and the term ‘violent video 
programming’. 
SECTION 5. Franchise Grant. - A franchise, including the renewal of a franchise, may 
not be awarded under this part unless the cable operator to be awarded the franchise agrees to 
comply with the standards for children’s television programming established under this Act. 
SECTION 6. Penalty for Violation. - Any person who violates this act or any regulation 
promulgated under this Act, shall pay a fine of Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (P200,OOO.OO). If 
said person repeatedly violates the same, the Commission shall, after notice and opportunity for 
hearing immediately repeal any license issued to that person under this Act. 
SECTION 7. Consideration of Violations in License Renewals. - The Commission shall 
consider, among the elements in its review of an application for renewal of a license under this 
Act, whether the licensee has complied this section and the regulations promulgated under this 
section. 
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SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision otherwise affected shall remain valid and 
subsisting. 
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, 
letter o i  instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the provision 
of this Act is hereby modified, or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause - This Act shall take effect fifteen (1 5) days after its publication 
in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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