MANILA, Philippines -- The Senate on Tuesday afternoon passed on third reading a bill giving subjects of news articles or broadcasts the right to air their side over the same media outfit.

The measure, Senate Bill 2150, penalizes violators with P10,000 for the first offense, P20,000 for the second offense, and P30,000 and imprisonment of not more than 30 days for the third offense.

The measure requires the reply to be as long as the article or broadcast that contained the accusation or criticism by innuendo, suggestion, or rumor.

The reply should also be aired or printed not more than a day after the original article or broadcast came out.

The Senate also passed on third reading Senate Bill 1976, which proposes the creation of five additional branches of Metropolitan Trial Courts in Metro Manila, and the implementing rules and regulations involving the treaty with Spain on the transfer of imprisoned individuals.