Amendment To Anti-Subversion Law On Foreign Support

The decree recognizes law enforcement reports showing criminal elements engaged in subversive acts receiving support not only from foreign governments but also from foreign private sources.
The decree orders a redefinition of the scope of subversive associations so that organizations supported by any foreign source, public or private are outlawed.

Section 1 amends Section 2 of Presidential Decree No. 885 by replacing it with an expanded definition.
An entity qualifies as a subversive organization if it is an association, organization, political party, or group of persons.
The entity must be organized for the purpose of overthrowing the Government of the Republic of the Philippines or for the purpose of removing from the allegiance to that government:
- the territory of the Philippines, or
- any part thereof.
The entity must have support that is characterized by either:
- open or covert assistance or support of a foreign power, or
- open or covert support from a foreign source to any association, group, or person (whether public or private).
The decree covers support and assistance connected with coercive or unlawful methods, including by force, violence, terrorism, arson, assassination, deceit, or other illegal means.
The decree declares the qualifying entity to be a subversive organization.

The decree’s definition applies to associations, organizations, political parties, and groups of persons.
The decree targets organizations organized for purposes involving:
- overthrowing the Government of the Republic of the Philippines; or
- removing allegiance to the government over the territory of the Philippines or any part thereof.
The decree includes support from foreign power and support from foreign source.
The decree expressly includes support to or involving persons or groups that are public or private.
The decree expressly includes subversive conduct characterized by coercive unlawful means, including force, violence, terrorism, arson, assassination, deceit, or other illegal means.

Section 1 performs the operative legal change by amending Section 2 of Presidential Decree No. 885.
Section 2 requires immediate effect of the decree, without a publication or delayed commencement requirement.
The decree contains no separate filing procedure, administrative process, evidentiary standard, or hearing requirement.

The decree contains no separability clause.
The decree contains no sunset clause.
The decree contains no express repealing provision beyond its amendment of Section 2 of Presidential Decree No. 885.