Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 370

Introduced by: HON. RACHEL MARGUERITE B. DEL MAR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

It is acknowledged that Republic Act No. 53, as amended, otherwise known as the
“The Sotto Law” has been the journalist's privilege statute by which he can refuse to reveal
the source of a confidential news report or information except when the court or a House or
Committee of Congress finds that the revelation is demanded by the security of the state.

The reason for the rule is that the identity of sources of a confidential news report or
information must be protected, otherwise the spring of data for new or commentary dries up
and the mission of the press to check and balance and expose wrongdoing is impeded.

Oddly, however, the privileged applies only to the publisher, editor, columnist or duly
accredited reporter of any newspaper, magazine or periodical of general circulation, The law
is silent about journalists from broadcast stations, news or wire agencies, and internet
newspapers, magazines and other publications.

‘The explanation is that when the law was passed, electronic journalism was virtually
non-existent (broadcast stations played music or drama and gave the news but did not hire
news reporters), the news or wire agencies still had to be developed and recognized, and the
internet was not even a dream.

It is an omission that must be filled, an anomaly that must be corrected. The
journalists envisioned by Sotto Law cannot be confined to print practitioners.

In this context, the attached bill seeks to include within the coverage of the Sotto
Law, as amended, journalists from broadcast, news agencies and internet publications as a
matter of duty and necessity. The proposed amendment will not only strengthen confidence
in these other journalists but will also recognize the important role that they, together with
print practitioners, play in the building of community and nation.


It may be stressed that this Bill passed on third and final reading in the House of
Representatives during the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Congresses but was not approved by
the Senate, for lack of time upon congressional adjournment.

In view of all the foregoing, approval of the Bill is earnestly requested.

Mf

RACHEL MARGUERITE B. DEL MAR


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNo._ 370

Introduced by: HON. RACHEL MARGUERITE B. DEL MAR

AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 53, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
“AN ACT TO EXEMPT THE PUBLISHER, EDITOR OR REPORTER OF ANY
PUBLICATION FROM REVEALING THE SOURCE OF PUBLISHED NEWS OR
INFORMATION OBTAINED IN CONFIDENCE” BY INLCUDING WITHIN ITS
COVERAGE JOURNALISTS FROM BROADCAST, NEWS AGENCIES AND
INTERNET PUBLICATIONS

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

SECTION I. Section 1 of Republic Act No. 53, as amended, is hereby further amended
to read as follows:

“SECTION 1. Without prejudice to his liability under the civil and
criminal laws, [the publisher, editor, columnist or duly accredited reporter of any
newspaper, magazine or periodical of general circulation cannot be compelled to
reveal the source of any news-report or information appearing in said publication
which was related in confidence to such publisher, editor or reporter unless the
court or a House or committee of Congress] A DULY ACCREDITED
JOURNALIST OF ANY PRINT, BROADCAST, INTERNET, OR WIRE
SERVICE ORGANIZATION, INCLUDING THE PUBLISHER, STATION


OWNER AND/OR MANAGER, BUREAU CHIEF, EDITOR, NEWS EDITOR,

WRITER OR REPORTER, CORRESPONDENT, OPINION COLUMNIST OR

COMMENTATOR, CARTOONIST, PHOTOGRAPHER, OR OTHER

PRACTITIONER INVOLVED IN THE WRITING, EDITING, COMMENTING

ON THE NEWS FOR MASS CIRCULATION CANNOT BE COMPELLED TO

REVEAL THE SOURCE OF ANY NEWS ITEM, NEWS REPORT OR

INFORMATION APPEARING OR BEING REPORTED OR DISSEMINATED

IN SAID MEDIA, WHICH WAS RELATED IN CONFIDENCE TO SUCH

JOURNALIST OR PRACTITIONER UNLESS THE COURT OR THE HOUSE.

OF REPRESENTATIVES OR THE SENATE OR ANY OF ITS COMMITTEES

finds that such revelation is demanded by the security of the State.”

SEC. 2. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules or regulations or
parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SEC. 3. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of national circulation.

Approved,