Topic/ Issue
Addition of Legitimate Mass Media Websites of in Article 2 of the Civil Code
This proposal aims to add legitimate mass media websites as platforms in publication of laws.
Article 2 of the Civil Code states that, “Laws shall take effect after fifteen days following the
completion of their publication either in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
circulation in the Philippines, unless it is otherwise provided.” However, publication of a law only
pertains to 1 platform, particularly the Official Gazette and newspapers.
Introduction
As stated in the case of Tanada vs Tuvera, a law must be duly published before it becomes
effective. Originally, as stated in Art. 2, publication of laws in order to be effective was only
confined in one platform, which is the Official Gazette.
However, in June 18, 1987, Executive Order no. 200 amended Art. 2, which adds newspapers of
general circulation as another platform of publication of laws. The reason for the addition is due
to the low readership of the Official Gazette. The government realized that the Official Gazette is
not enough in disseminating information regarding the enactment of new laws, hence, the
addition.
Currently, the researchers are proposing the addition of another platform, which will be the
legitimate mass media websites as one way of addressing the problem of low readership.
Relevance
According to the research made by Media Landscapes, in the Philippines, print media has been
experiencing a decline in readership due to the investment of people in online and mobile
platforms. (Estella, Löffelholz. n.d.)
In addition, a research from Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2020 states that only 22% of
the Philippine population uses print media as their source of news while 66% and 85% of the
population uses TV and internet as their sources, respectively.
In 2019, Philippine Statistics Authority conducted a research wherein it states that Filipinos 10 to
30 years old who are enrolled in school are mostly exposed to television (97.2%), magazine
(88.8%), and internet (86.8%). While reading of newspaper (59.7%) is the mass media they are
least exposed to. (Mapa, D. 2020).
Considering the numbers of the studies, the researchers infers that print media is not anymore the
dominant media. Mass media is now being dominated by the internet, which is the most
preferred media platform of the people due to its speed and convenience. That is why, as a
proposal, the researchers sees it fit that legitimate mass media websites such as websites of
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Philippine Star, and the likes, should be included in
the platforms of publication in Art. 2 of the Civil Code. This is to answer the declining
readership of print media in the country which may result to ignorance of law.
Sources:



Estella, P. Löffelholz, M. n.d. Philippines. Retrieved from:
https://medialandscapes.org/country/philippines/media/print
Mapa, D. 2020, Dec. 8. Functional literacy rate of Filipinos by exposure to different
forms of mass media ranges from 92.6 percent to 97.1 percent in 2019. Retrieved from:
https://psa.gov.ph/content/functional-literacy-rate-filipinos-exposure-different-formsmass-media-ranges-926-percent
Newman, N., et al. (n.d.). Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2020. Retrieved from:
https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/sites/default/files/202006/DNR_2020_FINAL.pdf