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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

7825

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING

EXPLANATORY NOTE

During the recent years, the government has been continuously working to increase and upgrade
information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructures across the country to provide
every Filipino access to the internet. Presently, there are numerous proposals and legislative
measure which aim to advance the Philippine ICT Infrastructure to allow for massive flow of
information through the internet.

Truly, our nation has progressed in the ICT arena, and with all these advancements people can
now easily access all kinds of information through the internet—even obscene and pornographic
entertainment. With easier access to internet, the youth easily have access to mature
entertainment that are not appropriate for their ages and all kinds of obscene shows and
materials.

While the State ultimately has the responsibility to create and sustain an enabling environment
for adolescents to enable them to achieve their development aspirations and potentials as well
as mobilize them to positively contribute to the development of the nation; we, as responsible
parents and citizens must aid the government in achieving this.

This proposed measure seeks to control the access of adolescents to pornographic materials and
obscene shows by enjoining business establishments restrict or prohibit minors from accessing
pornographic websites by setting-up filters or parental control programs to block or filter-out
pornographic internet contents in all their computer units and by posting a signage prohibiting
minors from access pornographic materials. This measure seeks to penalize persons or business
establishments who will sell, distribute and/or allow adolescents access to pornographic printed
materials, videos, and the like.

On behalf of the people of Parafiaque City’s Second District, and for the common good of the
Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought.

! TAMBUNTIN
District, Parafiaque Ci


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 7825

Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING

AN ACT
REGULATING ACCESS OF MINORS TO PORNOGRAPHIC MATERIALS AND OBSCENE
SHOWS, PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Restricted Access of Minors to
Obscene and Pornographic Materials Act.”

Section 2. Regulating Access of Minors to Pornographic Materials and Obscene Shows.
Existing laws penalizing pornography and obscenity in the country shall be strengthened by the
following regulatory provisions:

(a) _Allbusiness establishments providing computer and internet services shall strictly restrict
or prohibit minors from accessing pornographic websites by setting-up filters or parental control
programs to block or filter-out pornographic internet contents in all their computer units and by
posting a signage prohibiting minors from access pornographic materials. Non-compliance to this
provision shall cause the cancellation of the business permit of the said establishment.

(b) Selling and distribution of pornographic printed materials and videos in any format to
minors shall be prohibited and penalized under existing laws and this Act.

( Persons within the age of majority who shall encourage or exert influence on minors to
‘access pornographic products and contents shall be penalized under this Act.

(d) Any business establishment that causes the participation and access of minors in obscene
shows shall be penalized and shall be ground for the cancellation of the business permit of such
establishment.

The SK at the barangay and municipal/ city level shall organize and mobilize group of youth
volunteers in collaboration with barangay officials and peace officers to monitor compliance of
computer shops and business establishments selling and distributing videos and printed materials
in restricting minors from accessing pornographic products.


Section 3. Preventing Adolescents’ Involvement in other Risky Behaviors that are
Facilitative of Engagement in Sexual Activities. All barangays shall implement legal
measures to prevent adolescents from engaging in risky behaviors particularly drinking alcoholic
beverages, illegal drug use, hanging-out in very late at night doing risky behaviors and other
behaviors that can lead them to sexual activities or engaging in sexual assault or violence. The
barangays shall also strictly prohibit the access of minors to videoke bars, beer houses/ pubs,
clubs, and other similar facilities that can encourage adolescents to engage in sexual activities or
sex-related violence and crimes.

Section 4, Punishable Acts. The following acts are prohibited and punishable:

(a) Owners, managers, and staff of computer shops or establishments providing access to
internet services who shall allow minors to access pornographic materials from their facility.

(b) Any person who shall sell and distribute pornographic materials to minors.

(©) Any person of legal age who shall seduce a minor which shall be accorded with higher
penalty than those provided by the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines.

(d) Owners, managers, and staff of motels who shall allow wash-up rates or short-time or
abbreviated stay in motels involving minors with clear or at least indicative intention to conduct
sexual activities.

(€) Any person who shall be in violation of the provisions of this Act.

Section 5. Annual Allocations. All concerned government agencies including the LGUs shall
indude in their annual budget the necessary funds for strategies and activities within their
mandates that are contributory to the implementation of this Act.

Section 6. Separability Clause. If any part, section, or provisions of this Act is held invalid or
unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 7. Repealing Clause. All other statutes, executive orders, and administrative issuances
or rules and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Section 8. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,