HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
RECEIVED

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS bas $i ans
CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES | 9 TIME(S 4 ip
First Regular Session | By:

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES i
REGISTRATION UNIT
BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE PIA S. CAYETANO.

1183

House Bill No’

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The right to freedom of speech and expression is a pillar of democracy. An
environment that encourages public discourse and debate is one that fosters
progress and development in a democratic nation,

As such, this bill decriminalizes libel as defined and penalized in Articles 355-
357 and Articles 360-362 of the Revised Penal Code such that our constitutional
right to free speech, specifically through writing and similar means, is upheld, without
fear or threat of incarceration or restraint of liberty,

In recent years, media has evolved to accommodate the views and
perspectives of the common Filipino, and has strengthened its important role of
being the watchdogs of the government. This bill reinforces this function and truly
enables them to be of service to the Filipino people through responsible journalism
that pushes for complete transparency.

Moreover, technology has so far advanced thereby allowing for common
people to air their grievances against any person or entity, whether with malice or
not, through online publication. This bill shall continue to protect our freedoms of
speech and expression which are essential to the survival of a free, open and
democratic society

However, the decriminalization of libel does not mean that one’s right to
privacy, dignity and peace of mind as enshrined in Articles 19 and 26 the Civil Code,
will be impinged, Violations thereof will hold the violator civilly liable, and the remedy

of filing an action for damages to seek redress for the wrong done shall still be
available

Immediate passage of this bill is thus earnestly sought

PIAS. CAYEHANO


SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

1183

House Bill No.

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE PIA S. CAYETANO

AN ACT
DECRIMINALIZING LIBEL THEREBY REPEALING ARTICLES 353 TO 357 AND
ARTICLES 360-362 OF THE REVISED PENAL CODE

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

SECTION 1. Articles 353, 354, 356, 357, 360, 361 and 362 of Act No. 3815 as
amended, otherwise known as the Revised Penal Code are hereby repealed thereby
decriminalizing libel

SEC. 2. The repeal of the above-mentioned articles shall in no way impede on the
exercise of a person's right to privacy, dignity, and peace of mind as enshrined in
Articles 19 and 26 of Republic Act No. 386 as amended, otherwise known as the
Civil Code.

SEC. 3. All laws, executive orders, decrees, instructions, rules and regulations
contrary or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or

modified accordingly

SEC. 4. If any provision of this Act shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, the other
provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 5. This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its complete publication
in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,