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SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
) 
'13 
SEP -5 r 5 :35 
SENATE 
__________ 
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 13 provides: 
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 ~ 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.' 
. Lw)~ 
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qI$ . MIRIA'M D"Et)1l,m1in;~ u7~ 
• This bill was Originally filed during the Thirteenth Congress, First Regular Session. 


· . 
:S~nZltl' 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
(4Hrll't tlf ti!,~ ';;l'fl"i't.-U'V· 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
'13 
SEP -5 r 5 :35 
SENATE 
__________ 
~S~.~B~. N~0~.~1_5~6~8 ___ ~~_~H~!~.,;(~I~ 
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~~. 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
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AN ACT 
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PROHIBITING THE DISTRIBUTION TO THE PUBLIC OF VIOLENT VIDEO 
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PROGRAMMING DURING HOURS WHEN CHILDREN ARE REASONABLY 
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LIKELY TO COMPRISE A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF THE AUDIENCE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Children's Protection from 
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Violent Programming Act" 
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SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the term-
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(A) 
"Programming" includes advertisements but does not include bona fide newscasts, 
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bona fide news interviews, bona fide news documentaries, and on-the-spot coverage of bona fide 
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news events; 
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(B) 
"Cable operator" means any person, corporation, partnership, or association 
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engaged in the distribution of television programs through cable or any similar technology; and 
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(C) 
"Distribute" means to send, transmit, retransmit, telecast, broadcast, and cablecast, 
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including by wire, microwave, or sat~llite. 
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SECTION 3. Unlawful Distribution. - It shall be unlawful for any commercial television 
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and public telecommunication entities, including cable operators, to-
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(A) 
Distribute to the public any violent video programming, inclusive of 
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programming that contains gratuitous violence, during hours when children are reasonably likely 
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to comprise a substantial portion of the audience; or 
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(B) 
Knowingly produce or provide material for such distribution. 


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SECTION 4. Prohibition on Violent Programming. -
(A) 
The National Telecommunications Commission (hereinafter referred to as 
"Commission") shall conduct a rulemaking proceeding to implement the provisions of this Act 
and shall promulgate final regulations pursuant to the proceeding not later than ninety (90) days 
after the date of enactment of this Act. 
(B) 
As part of the proceeding, the Commission-
(1) 
May exempt from the prohibition news programs, 
docume~taries, 
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 
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a substantial portion of the audience" and the term "violent video 
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programming." 
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SECTION 5. Franchise Grant. - A franchise, including the renewal of a franchise, may 
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not be awarded under this Act unless the applicant to be awarded the franchise agrees to comply 
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with the standards for children's television programming established under this Act. 
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SECTION 6. Penalty for Violation. - Any person who violates this Act or any regulation 
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promulgated under this Act shall pay a fine of not less than Two Hundred Thousand Pesos 
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(P200,OOO.00). 
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SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part thereof is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision otherwise affected shall remain valid 
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and subsisting. 
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SECTION 8, Repealing Clause, - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, 
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letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the 
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provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly, 
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SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
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in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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