WHEREAS, Presidential Decree No. 33, issued under martial law purportedly to curb the alleged campaign of verification against the political institutions of our country, was in fact a measure that abridged the freedom of expression of the people;

WHEREAS, notwithstanding the lifting of martial law and the repeal of the National Security Code where said decree appears to be incorporated, there are still doubts as to whether or not Presidential Decree No. 33 is in force and effect;

WHEREAS, the absence of martial law, the repeal of the National Security Code and the evident inconsistency of said decree with Proclamation No. 3 dated March 25, 1986, more than suffice to render said decree invalid without expressly repealing it;

WHEREAS, to remove all doubts on its invalidity, there is a need to expressly repeal said decree;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, CORAZON C. AQUINO, President of the Philippines, do hereby order:

SECTION 1. Presidential Decree No. 33 entitled: "PENALIZING THE PRINTING, POSSESSION, DISTRIBUTION AND CIRCULATION OF CERTAIN LEAFLETS, HANDBILLS AND PROPAGANDA MATERIALS AND THE INSCRIBING OR DESIGNING OF GRAFFITI", is hereby repealed.

SEC. 2. This Order shall take effect immediately.

Done in the City of Manila, this 16th day of July, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and eighty-six.


By the President

(Sgd.) JOKER P. ARROYO
Executive Secretary