FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
FIRST REGULAR SESSION 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bilt-No. 
41 
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR VICENTE C. SOTTO III 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Republic Act No. 53, 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" was passed in 1946 upon the proposal of the late 
Senator Vicente Yap Sotto when dissemination of news and investigative reports was 
not as sophisticated as it is today. 
Technology has advanced by leaps and bounds and with it, the expansion of the 
coverage of mass media where news and investigative reports are not only broadcast 
through the print media, but also through radio, television, cable and the internet. The 
law was conceived at a time when today's technology was unthinkable. Nonetheless, 
the purpose of the law of protecting and enhancing the freedom of the press, so as to 
inform the public of current events and issues that affect their lives, remains relevant and 
important. 
To conform with the changes of the times and further protect the freedom of the 
press, it is proposed that the said law be amended to expressly include the responsible 
personnel from radio, television, cable and internet-based media from the exemption 
contemplated by the law. 
" 
In view thereof, earnest approval of this bill is requ ~d. \ 
\ /1 
11« OWl J lli \ -
ICENTE C. SOTTO III 
1 


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~iJ)~r't(~,,;~J., 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
FIRST REGULAR SESSION 
) 
SENATE 
Senate BikNo. 41 
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR VICENTE C. SOTTO III 
AN ACT AMENDING SECTION 1 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 53, 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". 
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, 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" is hereby amended to read 
as follows: 
"Section 1. 
The publisher, editor, {STATION 
MANAGER, PRODUCER, NEWS DIRECTOR,} 
or duly 
accredited reporter of any {PRINT, BROADCAST OR 
ELECTRONIC MASS MEDIA, INCLUDING BUT NOT 
LIMITED TO,} newspaper, magazine or periodical of 
general 
circulation, 
{RADIO, 
TELEVISION, 
CABLE, 
INTERNET SITE AND OTHER ELECTRONIC MEDIA 
OUTLET} 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 or a House or committee of 
Congress finds that such revelation is demanded by the 
interest of the State." 
. SECTION 2. Repealing Clause. All laws, executive orders, rules and regulations 
or any part thereof inconsistent herewith are deemed repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly. 
SECTION 3. Separability Clause. In case any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other prOVisions hereof which are not affected thereby 
shall continue in full force and effect. 
SECTION 4. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved. 
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