Madrigal wants repeal of sedition in Penal Code

Sen. Jamby Madrigal on Monday filed a bill to amend the Revised Penal Code and repeal the crime of sedition. She said the measure, to be known as the Freedom of Expression Act, would repeal sections 139, 140 and 141 of the Revised Penal Code. “The crime of sedition is an offense of the mind. It occurs in the mind of the government and as is usually the case, it is being used as a weapon to deny, rather than to protect the people’s rights, particularly on freedom of expression," Madrigal said. She said the Arroyo administration employs the crime of sedition to justify the use of state resources against individuals who are at odds with the government’s position. She said the crime of sedition has been repealed in many countries like Canada, Ghana, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, South Africa, Taiwan, United Kingdom and the United States. “In our nation’s history, the crime of sedition has been used against eminent nationalist leaders such as Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Aurelio Tolentino, Macario Sakay, Isabelo delos Reyes, Amado Hernandez, Benigno Aquino Jr. and even Diosdado Macapagal," she said. Madrigal said it is time to repeal “this archaic provision of our penal law." - GMANews.TV