Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 105)
The primary purpose of Presidential Decree No. 105 is to declare certain National Shrines in the Philippines as sacred or hallowed places and to prohibit any form of desecration thereof.
Places declared as National Shrines include the birthplace of Dr. Jose Rizal in Calamba, Laguna; Talisay, Dapitan City (Rizal's place of exile); Fort Santiago, Manila (where Rizal was imprisoned); Talaga, Tanauan, Batangas (birthplace of Apolinario Mabini); Pandacan, Manila (where Mabini died); Aguinaldo Mansion in Kawit, Cavite; and Batan, Aklan, among others.
Desecration includes disturbing the peace and serenity of the National Shrines by digging, excavating, defacing, causing unnecessary noise, and committing unbecoming acts within the premises of the National Shrines.
Violators shall, upon conviction, be punished by imprisonment for not less than ten (10) years, or a fine of not less than ten thousand pesos (P10,000), or both, at the discretion of the court or tribunal concerned.
It was promulgated under the powers vested in the President by the Constitution as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and pursuant to Proclamation No. 1081 and General Order No. 1, both dating to 1972.
No. The decree includes the declared National Shrines and also covers others that may be proclaimed as National Shrines in the future.
Hallowed places refer to spaces that are considered sacred or revered due to their historical and cultural significance, especially as sites related to national heroes and important historical events.
No. Any disturbing activities such as digging, defacing, causing unnecessary noise, or unbecoming acts within National Shrine premises are strictly prohibited.
PD No. 105 took effect immediately upon its signing on January 24, 1973.