The “predicted” doomsday earthquake on July 18, Modern-day Nostradamus, & Art. 154 RPC

   (Michael Parks. The Creation. Right-clicked from www.allposters.com, used here for  educational, non-commercial purposes, free service by blog-use of image provided by and from said site)        

        I know. We shouldn’t pay attention to practically anonymous, unidentified, unconfirmed, unverified, non-scientific predictions of the end of the world, like the letter circulating through  on-line journals, emails, and blogs from a supposed Brazilian teacher who has supposedly made 80,000 correct predictions, and who predicted today  of a  deadly earthquake on July 18, 2008, Friday. (see www.inquirer.net, Saksi of Channel 7, and DZMM news.) Repent! Repent, for the kingdom of heaven… (i’m using my Robert  Powell British accent)  is at hand! (actually, that wasn’t the line of Robert  Powell, he was on a hill and spoke of the beatitudes, “Blessed are you when men shall revile you, and persecute you. …etc.” and he said in his British accent : “Rejoice…and be exceedingly glad. For the kingdom of heaven… is at hand.” It was a gentle, happy scene.)

        But so widespread has the circulation of the letter been in the internet  that the Philippine Institute for  Volcanology  and Seismology (Philvolcs) through its director, Renato Solidum Jr., came out with a statement saying “there was no basic science behind it.”

       So many people have nothing to do that they have the time and the cluelessness to forward any garbage email that they get through the cellphone or their computers. Are you one of them?  

       Anyway, here’s a little-known provision in the Revised Penal Code, Article 154. I don’t like this provision, among many other provisions in the crime book. (Whenever i cite or quote provisions in the Revised Penal Code, it doesn’t mean i like those provisions. It just means they’re there. They’re laws. I bring them up because as long as they’re laws they can be enforced, and no one’s doing anything about them):

        Anyway, here it is: The first paragraph punishes  (1) the publication “as news any false news” (that’s one element, (2) “which may endanger the public order” (that’s the other element), or  “cause damage to the interest or credit of the State (that’s the alternative element; alternative to the second); as follows:

      (One may argue that this may not apply to the internet;  prosecution lawyers might tell you : “matters of defense.” It means you can raise it if you want to, in your defense.  On the other hand “publication” can be construed to also  include materials disseminated through the  internet.  You can raise your defenses.)

      “Revised Penal Code. Art. 154. Unlawful use of means of publication and unlawful utterances. – The penaltyof arresto mayor and a fine ranging from 200 to 1,000 pesos shall be imposed upon:

     “1.Any person who by means of printing, lithography, or any other means  of publication shall publish or cause to be published as news any false news which may endanger the public order, or cause damage to the interest or credit of the State.  XXXX”

       The “report” has to potentially endanger the public order, e.g., it may cause panic.

         But how does one measure that? It says “may”. Predictive.  

       Are you about to punish someone for his predictions based on your  own prediction of the possible  consequence of public disorder? (i told you, i have to suppress my philosophic side….)

         Anyway. That’s the provision. Like all other provisions in the Revised Penal Code, it  requires criminal intent. So, it may be asked, “What if i honestly believed the prediction to be true?”

          Matters  of defense.

        The tricky thing about Nostradamuses, doomsday predictions, panic, public disorder, and the Revised Penal Code, is of course obvious.  If they were true, nothing more and nothing else matters. Live and love to the fullest. (The late Christopher Reeves when asked for advice, once said: “use your best linen. Use them everyday.”)