Text of the provision
Art. 201. Immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions and indecent shows - The penalty of prisión mayor or a fine ranging from Twenty thousand pesos (₱20,000) to Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000), or both such imprisonment and fine, shall be imposed upon: 1. Those who shall publicly expound or proclaim doctrines openly contrary to public morals; 2. a. The authors of obscene literature, published with their knowledge in any form; the editors publishing such literature; and the owners/operators of the establishment selling the same; b. Those who, in theaters, fairs, cinematographs or any other place, exhibit indecent or immoral plays, scenes, acts or shows, it being understood that the obscene literature or indecent or immoral plays, scenes, acts or shows, whether live or in film, which are prescribed by virtue hereof, shall include those which:
(1) glorify criminals or condone crimes;
(2) serve no other purpose but to satisfy the market for violence, lust or pornography;
(3) offend any race or religion;
(4) tend to abet traffic in and use of prohibited drugs; and
(5) are contrary to law, public orders, morals, and good customs, established policies, lawful orders, decrees and edicts; and 3. Those who shall sell, give away or exhibit films, prints, engravings, sculpture or literature which are offensive to morals.
Revised Penal Code of the Philippines, Act No. 3815, as amended. Reproduced in full from the official enactment and verified against the LawPhil and ChanRobles renderings.
What this article means
Prisión mayor or a fine ranging from Twenty thousand pesos (₱20,000) to Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000), or both, are imposed on those who publicly expound doctrines openly contrary to public morals; on authors, editors and establishment owners or operators dealing in obscene literature; on those who exhibit indecent or immoral plays, scenes, acts or shows, live or on film — including those that glorify criminals or condone crimes, serve only the market for violence, lust or pornography, offend a race or religion, abet traffic in or use of prohibited drugs, or run contrary to law, public order, morals and good customs; and on those who sell, give away or exhibit films, prints, engravings, sculpture or literature offensive to morals.
Related provisions
- Article 200 — Grave Scandal.
- Article 202 — Prostitutes; Penalty.
Penalty amounts. The text above is the article as amended by Republic Act No. 10951 (2017), which revised the property values and fines throughout this Code. Older reproductions of the Revised Penal Code still print the 1930 amounts — for theft and estafa they show 12,000 and 22,000 pesos where the current figures run to millions. Check which version any source you rely on is giving you.
Cases interpreting this article
- Authorities on this article will be added here as each is verified against primary sources.