1. Concept
| Art. 154. Unlawful use of means of publication and unlawful utterances. – The penalty of arresto mayor and a fine ranging from Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000) to Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000) shall be imposed upon: |
| 1. Any person who by means of printing, lithography, or any other means of publication shall publish or cause to be published as news any false news which may endanger the public order, or cause damage to the interest or credit of the State; |
| 2. Any person who by the same means, or by words, utterances or speeches shall encourage disobedience to the law or to the constituted authorities or praise, justify, or extol an, act punished by law; |
| 3. Any person who shall maliciously publish or cause to be published any official resolution or document without proper authority or before they have been published officially; or |
| 4. Any person who shall print, publish, or distribute or cause to be printed, published, or distributed books, pamphlets, periodicals, or leaflets which do not bear the real printer’s name, or which are classified as anonymous. (Act No. 3815, Revised Penal Code) |
2. Mode of commission
Elements of the offense:
1) The offender commits any of the following:
a) Any person who by means of printing, lithography, or any other means of publication shall publish or cause to be published as news any false news which may endanger the public order, or cause damage to the interest or credit of the State;
2) Any person who by the same means, or by words, utterances or speeches shall encourage disobedience to the law or to the constituted authorities or praise, justify, or extol any act punished by law;
3) Any person who shall maliciously publish or cause to be published any official resolution or document without proper authority, or before they have been published officially; or,
4) Any person who shall print, publish, or distribute or cause to be printed, published, or distributed books, pamphlets, periodicals, or leaflets which do not bear the real printer’s name, or which are classified as anonymous. (Article 154, Ibid.)
References
⦁ Title 3 – Crimes Against Public Order, Book 2, Revised Penal Code
