Presidential Decree No. 519 (PD 519) — Outlawing Pinball and Slot Machines and Other Similar Devices and Nullifying All Existing Permits And/Or Licenses to Operate the Same.
WHEREAS, there has been widespread use of pinball machines
in amusements places all over the country;
WHEREAS, the proliferation of these gambling devices
adversely affects the moral regeneration program of the Government under
the New Society, especially the youth;
WHEREAS, it has come to my attention that there has been
indiscriminate issuance of permits and/or licenses to operate pinball
and slot machines and other similar devices to the detriment of the
public interest.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the
Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution,
do hereby decree and order:
SECTION 1. Any provision of existing law to the contrary
notwithstanding, the operation, possession, use and importation of
pinball and slot machines and other similar devices or paraphernalia
used for their operation is hereby declared unlawful and any person
guilty of the violation of this Decree shall suffer a fine of not less
than five thousand pesos or an imprisonment ranging from prision
correccional to prision mayor or both such fine and imprisonment
at the discretion of the Court or military tribunal: Provided,
That if the offender is a corporation firm, partnership, or association,
the penalty shall be imposed upon the guilty officer or officers, as
the case may be, and if such guilty officer or officers are aliens, in
addition to the penalty prescribed, he or they shall be deported without
further proceedings on the part of the Commission on Immigration and
Deportation.
SEC. 2. All existing licenses and/or permits for the
operation or use of pinball machines are hereby nullified and all
operators or possessors of pinball machines are hereby given a period of
fifteen days within which to dismantle or destroy such pinball or slot
machines in their possessions or surrender them to the Philippine
Constabulary.
SEC. 3. This Decree shall take effect immediately.
Done in the City of Manila, this 23rd day of July, in the year
of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-four.
(Sgd.)
FERDINAND E. MARCOS
President of the Philippines
By the President:
(Sgd.)
ALEJANDRO MELCHOR
Executive Secretary
Source: Supreme Court E-Library, Republic of the Philippines. Philippine laws are public documents (works of the government).
