Preamble
WHEREAS, Presidential Decree No. 364, dated January 3, 1974, declared and decreed "A General Amnesty For All Persons Who, As First Offenders, Failed To Register and/or Vote As Required" in connection with the national referendum of July 27-28, 1973; WHEREAS, in the aforecited Decree the leadership of Government expressed determination to pursue a policy to unify the nation and to encourage the citizenry to direct their attention and efforts to constructive activities without distraction; WHEREAS, this policy should be broadened in its application so that the benefits to be derived therefrom may be extended to more members of the society; WHEREAS, it is of record that many public schoolteachers, other officials and employees of the Government including members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines are facing charges before various courts, tribunals, and/or administrative bodies for violation of election laws and other related statutes in connection with the elections of 1965, 1967, 1969, 1971 and the election of Delegates to the Constitutional Convention; and that these cases are still pending preliminary investigation or trial on the merits, despite the long period that has lapsed since the filing thereof; WHEREAS, it is of public knowledge that the public schoolteachers and other faithful government officials and employees committed infractions or offenses in the performance of their election duties due to forces beyond their will or power to resist; WHEREAS, the pendency of these cases has caused great anxiety, worry and tension on the part of those involved and the members of their families, affecting not only their efficiency as public officials but also their peace of mind as citizens of the nation: WHEREAS, with respect to other persons, the pendency of such cases is not conducive to national unity as it alienates them from the New Society; and WHEREAS, as a continuing effort to the leadership of Government to heal the wounds inflicted in the past and to provide a fresh start for all concerned to help build the New Society, it is proper and advisable to relieve the persons involved of further stress or strain; 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: