FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Bill No. _104 3

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to qualify the killing of members of broadcast or print media as
a crime of murder to protect them from extra-judicial Killings which are now being
done with impunity. As murder, the perpetrators will not be entitied to bail.

According to a study made by the Center for Media Freedom and
Responsibility, there have been 79 journalists and media practitioners killed in the
line of duty since 2001. These reported killings have brought undue attention on the
country’s state of press freedom, supposedly one of the freest in the world. We
cannot have that in a republican democratic state where democracy is primarily
infringed on the freedom of speech and of expression, and where media is
considered the Fourth Estate.

There is a need to stop these useless killings and protect members of the
media who are the purveyors of truth, who risk their life and limb in order to make
people aware of the buming issues of the day, no matter who will be affected or hurt.
This bill addresses such need by classifying the killing of a member of the media as
a crime of murder under Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code.

In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

rare bax
wom dias. JR.


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Bill No. _ 10 43

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

AN ACT
QUALIFYING THE KILLING OF MEMBERS OF BROADCAST OR PRINT MEDIA
AS A CRIME OF MURDER PUNISHABLE UNDER ARTICLE 248 OF THE
REVISED PENAL CODE, AS AMENDED

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

SECTION 1. Article two hundred forty-eight of the Revised Penal Code as
amended by Republic Act No. 7659 is hereby further amended to read as follows:

“ART. 248. Murder. — Any person who, not falling within the provisions
of Article 246 shall kill another, shall be guilty of murder and shall be
punished by reclusion perpetua to death, if committed with any of the
following attendant circumstances:

1) With treachery, taking advantage of superior strength, with the aid
of armed men, or employing means to weaken the defense or of
means or persons to insure or afford impunity;

2) In consideration of a price, reward or promise;

3) By means of inundation, fire poison, explosion, shipwreck, standing
of a vessel, derailment or assault upon a street car or locomotive, fall of
an airship by means of motor vehicle, or with the use of any other
means involving great waste and ruin;

4) On occasion of any of the calamities enumerated in the preceding
paragraphs or, any other public calamity;
5) With evident premeditation;

6) With cruelty, by deliberately and inhumanly augmenting the
suffering of the Victim, or outraging or scoffing at his person or corpse.


7) WHEN THE PERSON KILLED IS A MEMBER OF THE
BROADCAST OR PRINT MEDIA.

‘SEC. 2. The Department of Justice shall promulgate the necessary rules in
defining who are covered by the term “members of broadcast and print media” as
used in this Act.

SEC. 3. Repealing Clause — All laws decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations or parts thereof, inconsistent the provisions of this Act are hereby
modified or repealed accordingly.

SEC. 4. Effectivity — This Act shall take effect after the lapse of fifteen
(18)days following its complete publication in the official Gazette or in two (2)
newspapers of general circulation, whichever is earlier.

Approved.