Amending Article 201 Of The Revised Penal Code And For Other Purposes

MALACAÑANG
M a n i l a

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 960 July 14, 1976

AMENDING ARTICLE 201 OF THE REVISED PENAL CODE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

WHEREAS, it is the obligation of the State to safeguard the morality of society, particularly the youth, against the eroding influence of immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions and indecent shows;

WHEREAS, in order to arrest the proliferation of such doctrines, publications, exhibitions and shows, it is necessary to amend the pertinent provision of the Revised Penal Code;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby order and decree as part of the law of the land, the following:

Section 1. Amendment of Article 201, Revised Penal Code. Article 201 of Act Numbered Thirty-eight hundred and fifteen, otherwise known as the Revised Penal Code, is hereby amended to read as follows;

"Art. 201. Immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions, and indecent shows. The penalty of prision mayor or a fine ranging from...

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Summary of Presidential Decree No. 960

Amending Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code

• Safeguarding morality of society, particularly the youth, against immoral doctrines, obscene publications, exhibitions, and indecent shows (Whereas clause)
• Penalties for the following offenses (Section 1):
    - Publicly expounding or proclaiming doctrines openly contrary to public morals (Prision mayor or fine ranging from 6,000 to 12,000 pesos, or both)
    - Authors, editors, and owners/operators of establishments selling obscene literature (Prision mayor or fine ranging from 6,000 to 12,000 pesos, or both)
    - Exhibiting indecent or immoral plays, scenes, acts, or shows in theaters, fairs, cinematographs, or any other place, including:
        a. Films that tend to incite subversion, insurrection, or rebellion against the State (Section 1.3(a))
        b. Films that tend to undermine faith and confidence in the Government or authorities (Section 1.3(b))
        c. Films that glorify criminals or condone crimes (Section 1.3(c))
        d. Films that satisfy the market for violence, lust, or pornography (Section 1.3(d))
        e. Films that offend any race or religion (Section 1.3(e))
        f. Films that tend to abet traffic in prohibited drugs (Section 1.3(f))
        g. Films contrary to law, public order, morals, good customs, established policies, lawful orders, decrees, edicts, or deemed objectionable by the Board of Censors for Motion Pictures or other agency (Section 1.3(g))
    - Selling, giving away, or exhibiting prints, engravings, sculptures, or literature offensive to morals (Prision mayor or fine ranging from 6,000 to 12,000 pesos, or both)
• Confiscation and forfeiture of materials involved in the violation, to be destroyed (Section 2)
• Violations to be tried by military tribunals, and offenders subject to arrest and detention pursuant to Proclamations No. 1081 and No. 1104 (Section 3)
• Additional penalties (Section 4):
    - For government officials or employees who allow violations, maximum penalty and accessory penalties under the Revised Penal Code
    - Temporary or permanent cancellation of license or permit of the establishment where the violation occurred, depending on the gravity of the violation as determined by the proper military tribunal
• Effectivity 15 days after publication by the Department of Information in two newspapers of general circulation (Section 5)