Law Against Rumors Repealed by Aquino
As of Friday, rumor-mongering is no longer a crime in the Philippines.
The presidential press office announced that President Corazon Aquino formally repealed Presidential Decree No. 90, which made it a crime to spread rumors or false information.
Former President Ferdinand E. Marcos issued the order shortly after the 1972 imposition of martial law, ostensibly to prevent rumors which disrupt “peace and order.”
“Instead of promoting this objective, the decree in effect became an instrument of the martial law regime to muzzle freedom of expression,” a palace statement quoted Aquino as saying.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
