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    US V. DORR 322 - Digest

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    Syd Geemson Parrenas
    The defendants were convicted of publishing a scurrilous libel against the U.S. and Philippine governments in the "Manila Freedom" newspaper. The article criticized government officials but did not attack the government systems. The issue was whether this constituted an offense under the relevant law. The court held that while the article was abusive of government officials, it did not have a seditious tendency and did not attack the government systems. Therefore, the defendants' publication did not constitute an offense, so the judgment of conviction was reversed and the defendants were acquitted.

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    US V. DORR 322 - Digest

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    Syd Geemson Parrenas
    103 views2 pages
    The defendants were convicted of publishing a scurrilous libel against the U.S. and Philippine governments in the "Manila Freedom" newspaper. The article criticized government officials but did not attack the government systems. The issue was whether this constituted an offense under the relevant law. The court held that while the article was abusive of government officials, it did not have a seditious tendency and did not attack the government systems. Therefore, the defendants' publication did not constitute an offense, so the judgment of conviction was reversed and the defendants were acquitted.

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    The defendants were convicted of publishing a scurrilous libel against the U.S. and Philippine governments in the "Manila Freedom" newspaper. The article criticized government officials but did not attack the government systems. The issue was whether this constituted an offense under the relevant law. The court held that while the article was abusive of government officials, it did not have a seditious tendency and did not attack the government systems. Therefore, the defendants' publication did not constitute an offense, so the judgment of conviction was reversed and the defendants were acquitted.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    103 views2 pages

    US V. DORR 322 - Digest

    Uploaded by

    Syd Geemson Parrenas
    The defendants were convicted of publishing a scurrilous libel against the U.S. and Philippine governments in the "Manila Freedom" newspaper. The article criticized government officials but did not attack the government systems. The issue was whether this constituted an offense under the relevant law. The court held that while the article was abusive of government officials, it did not have a seditious tendency and did not attack the government systems. Therefore, the defendants' publication did not constitute an offense, so the judgment of conviction was reversed and the defendants were acquitted.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    of 2

    U.S. v. Dorr 2 Phil.

    332

    FACTS OF THE CASE

     The defendants (Dorr, et. al.) have been convicted upon a complaint charging them with
    the offense of writing, publishing, and circulating a scurrilous libel against the
    Government of the United States and the Insular Government of the Philippine
    Islands. The complaint is based upon section 8 of Act No. 292 of the Commission

     The alleged libel was published as an editorial in the issue of the "Manila Freedom" of
    April 6, 1902, under the caption of "A few hard facts."

    ISSUE
    WHETHER THEIR PUBLICATION CONSTITUTES AN OFFENSE UNDER SECTION 8 OF ACT NO. 292
    (Can the article be regarded as embraced within the description of "scurrilous libels against the
    Government of the United States or the Insular Government of the Philippine Islands?")?
    (1) The uttering of seditious words or speeches; (2) the writing, publishing, or circulating of
    scurrilous libels against the Government of the United States or the Insular Government of
    the Philippine Islands; (3) the writing, publishing, or circulating of libels which tend to disturb
    or obstruct any lawful officer in executing his office; (4) or which tend to instigate others to
    cabal or meet together for unlawful purposes; (5) or which suggest or incite rebellious
    conspiracies or riots; (6) or which tend to stir up the people against the lawful authorities or to
    disturb the peace of the community, the safety and order of the Government; (7) knowingly
    concealing such evil practices.

    RULLING/HELD

     The article in question contains no attack upon the governmental system of the United
    States, and it is quite apparent that, though grossly abusive as respects both the
    Commission as a body and some of its individual members, it contains no attack upon
    the governmental system by which the authority of the United States is enforced in
    these Islands.
     The form of government by a Civil Commission and a Civil Governor is not assailed.
     It is the character of the men who are intrusted with the administration of the
    government that the writer is seeking to bring into disrepute by impugning the purity of
    their motives, their public integrity, and their private morals, and the wisdom of their
    policy.
    The publication of the article, therefore, no seditious tendency being apparent, constitutes no
    offense under Act No. 292, section 8.
    THE JUDGMENT OF CONVICTION IS REVERSED AND THE DEFENDANTS ARE ACQUITTED, WITH
    COSTS DE OFICIO.

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