Partylist lawmakers Christopher Co and Rodel Batocabe of AKO Bicol authored the original measure, which was recommended for approval by the House Committee on Public Information.
AKO Bicol is a partylist ally of the National Unity Party (NUP) under the Coalition for Peace and Development.
Under House Bill 4128, 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 related activity conducted within the premises of their respective offices or establishments to celebrate Philippine Press Freedom Day.”
"Remembered as the single deadliest event for journalists in recent history was what happened on November 23, 2009—the Maguindanao massacre. This is and continues to be a symbol of a fight for press freedom and their rights in the practice of their profession," Co said. "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.”
Batocabe, for his part, said that "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."
The measure requires the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), in coordination with the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), other government media organizations, and private media organizations to lead public and private school communities at all levels in organizing consciousness-raising activities on the importance of the press, their rights and social responsibility and the elimination of all forms of violence against the press.