Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

First Regular Session
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

House Bill No. 3701

Introduced by Hon. Christopher S. Co, Rodel M, Batocabe and Alfredo A, Garbin, Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE
This bill seeks to declare November 23 as Philippine Press Freedom Day.
3, the world celebrates World Press Freedom Day, following a
adopted at the twenty-sixth session of UNESCO's General Conference
is. however, does not have any significance to Philippine press history. This
in our country.

every Mi

reco
in 1991
day comes and goes without a fu

But on November 23, 2009, Philippine press history changed in an instant as 57
people were killed in one of the most gruesome politically motivated crimes of the
decade. Genalyn Mangudadatu and her family, most of them women, joined by 37
journalists, composed a convoy of five cars on the way to the Commission on Elections
(COMELEC) to file her husband Ismael Mangudadatu's candidacy. They were met by &
hundred armed men, forcefully led into a vacant lot, and were shot at close range, and
most of them either abused, raped or mutilated, evidently as part of efforts to prevent
» filing.

While we are considered to have the freest press in Asia, we are also bombarded
with numbers of murdered and disappeared journalists. Remembered as the single
deadliest event for journalists in recent history, the Maguindanao massacre is and
continues to be a symbol of a fight for press freedom and their rights in the practice of
their profession. The commemoration of Philippine Press Freedom Day shall serve as a
fitting reminder that we will never forget the sacrifices of these journalists who gave up
their lives in the practice of their profession.

Freedom of the press not only includes the right to speak and write but also
includes the right to be respected and protected from threats, intimidation and harm to
their lives and property while in the pursuit of their profession. It comprises primarily of
the safety and security of those who want to spread the truth. Certainly, the Maguindanao
massacre is a wanton violation of their rights, and the day that such an abuse of power
and machinery happened at the expense of innocent truth seekers must be a day to
commemorate and honor their sacrifices to prevent another ignominy in the history of the
Philippine press.


Lastly, the Philippine Press Freedom Day seeks to promote and uphoid freedom
and heighten awareness on press freedom, so that journalists may freely and securely
report the truth no matter who gets hurt by it.

he immediate and favorabl&passage of this bill is earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3701

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by: Hon. Christopher S. Co, Rodel M. Batocabe and Alfredo A. Garbin, Jr.

AN ACT DECLARING NOVEMBER TWENTY- THREE OF EVERY YEAR AS “PHILIPPINE PRESS
FREEDOM DAY”

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

SECTION 1. In recognition of the need to establish a comprehensive and structured campaign
for the protection of the press, November 23 of every year is hereby declared as the “Philippine
Press Freedom Day”.

SECTION 2. To ensure meaningful observance of the holiday as herein declared, all heads of
government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned and controlled
corporations as well as local government units, and employers in the private sector shall
encourage and afford sufficient time and opportunities for their employees to engage and
participate in any activity conducted within the premises of their respective offices or
establishments to celebrate “Philippine Press Freedom Day”.

SECTION 3. The Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education and the
Technical Education and Skilis Development Authority, in coordination with the Presidential
Communications Operations Office, other government media organizations, private media
organizations shall lead public and private school communities at all levels in organizing
consciousness-raising activities on importance of the press, their rights, and the elimination of
all forms of violence, against the press.

SECTION 4. If, for any reason, any section or provision of this Act is held to be unconstitutional
or invalid, the validity of other sections herein shall not be affected thereby.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in two national
newspapers of general circulation.