Can this law benefit someone already convicted of a crime?

Yes, the law has retroactive effect if the new penalties are more favorable to the person serving a sentence by final judgment.

Does this law change the definition of treason?

No, it maintains the definition of treason but updates the maximum fine to ₱4,000,000.

What happens to cases currently pending in court?

Courts that have already started trial on a case do not lose jurisdiction over it due to the passage of this Act.

How is the penalty for theft determined now?

The penalty is determined by the value of the stolen property, with specific brackets defined for amounts ranging from below ₱500 to over ₱2,200,000.

Is there a penalty for failing to render accounts as a public officer?

Yes, failure to render accounts for two months after the required period is punishable by prisión correccional or a fine from ₱40,000 to ₱1,200,000.

What is the penalty for slight physical injuries?

It depends on the severity: arresto menor for injuries incapacitating the victim for 1-9 days, or a fine up to ₱40,000 if no medical assistance is required.

RA 10951 - RPC Penalty and Fine Adjustments (2017) — PH Criminal Law & Procedure

Seventeenth Congress
First Regular Session

Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-fifth day of July, two thousand sixteen.

REPUBLIC ACT No. 10951

An Act Adjusting the Amount or the Value of Property and Damage on Which a Penalty is Based and the Fines Imposed Under the Revised Penal Code, Amending for the Purpose Act No. 3815, Otherwise Known as "The Revised Penal Code", as Amended

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippine Congress Assembled:

Section 1. Article 9 of Act No. 3815, otherwise known as "The Revised Penal Code" is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 9. Grave felonies, less grave felonies and light felonies. - Grave felonies are those to which the law attaches the capital punishment or penalties which in any of their periods are afflictive, in accordance with Article 25 of this Code.

"Less gave felonies are those which the law punishes with penalties which in their maximum period are correctional in accordance with abovementioned article.

"Light felonies are those infractions of law or the commission of which the penalty of arresto menor or a fine not exceeding Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000) or both is provided."

Section 2. Article 26 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 26. When afflictive, correctional, or light penalty. - A fine, whether imposed as a single or as an alternative penalty, shall be considered an afflictive penalty, if it exceeds One million two hundred thousand (₱1,200,000); a correctional penalty, if it does not exceed One million two hundred thousand pesos (₱1,200,000) but is not less than Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000); and a light penalty, if it be less than Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000)."

Section 3. Article 114 of the same Act, as amended by Republic Act No. 7659, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

"Art. 114. Treason - Any Filipino citizen who levies war against the Philippines or adheres to her enemies, giving them aid or comfort within the Philippines or elsewhere, shall be punished by reclusion perpetua to death and shall pay a fine not to exceed Four million pesos (₱4,000,000).

"No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two (2) witnesses at least to the same overt act or on confession of the accused in open court.

"Likewise, an alien, residing in the Philippines, who commits act of treason as defined in paragraph 1 of this article shall be punished by reclusion temporal to death and shall pay a fine not to exceed Four million pesos (₱4,000,000)."

Section 4. Article 115 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 115. Conspiracy and proposal to commit treason; Penalty - The conspiracy or proposal to commit the crime of treason shall be punished respectively, by prisión mayor and a fine not exceeding Two million pesos (₱2,000,000), and prisión correccional and a fire not exceeding One million pesos (₱1,000.000)."

Section 5. Article 129 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 129. Search warrants maliciously obtained and abuse in the service of those legally obtained - In addition to the liability attaching to the offender for the commission of any offense, the penalty of arresto mayor in its maximum period to prisión correccional in its minimum period and a fine not exceeding (₱200,000) shall be imposed upon any public officer or employee who shall procure a search warrant without just cause, or, having legally procured the same, shall exceed his authority or use unnecessary severity in executing the same."

Section 6. Article 136 of the same Act, as amended by Republic Act No. 6968, is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 136. Conspiracy and proposal to commit coup d’etat, rebellion, or insurrection - The conspiracy and proposal to commit coup d’etat shall be punished by prisión mayor in its minimum period and a fine which shall not exceed One million pesos (₱1,000,000).

"The conspiracy and proposal to commit rebellion or insurrection shall be punished respectively, by prisión correccional in its maximum period and a fine which shall not exceed One million pesos (₱1,000,000) and by prisión correccional in its medium period and a fine not exceeding Four hundred thousand pesos (₱400,000)."

Section 7. Article of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 140. Penalty for sedition - The leader of sedition shall suffer the penalty of prisión mayorin its minimum period and fine not exceeding Two million pesos (₱2,000,000).

"Other persons participating therein shall suffer the penalty of prisión correccional in its maximum period and a fine not exceeding One million pesos (₱1,000,000)."

Section 8. Article 141 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 141. Conspiracy to commit sedition. - Persons conspiring to commit the crime of sedition shall be punished by prisión correccional in its medium period and a fine not exceeding Four hundred thousand pesos (₱400,000)."

Section 9. Article 142 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 142. Inciting to sedition. - The penally of prisión correccional in its maximum period and a fine not exceeding Four hundred thousand pesos (₱400,000) shall be imposed upon any person who, without taking any direct part in the crime of sedition, should incite others to the accomplishment of any of the acts which constitute sedition by means of speeches, proclamations, writings, emblems, cartoons, banners, or other representations tending to the same end, or upon any person or persons who shall utter seditious words or speeches, write, publish, or circulate scurrilous libels against the Government, or any of the duly constituted authorities thereof, or which tend to disturb or obstruct any lawful officer in executing the functions of his office, or which tend to instigate others to cabal and meet together for unlawful purposes or which suggest or incite rebellious conspiracies or riots, or which lead or 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, or who shall knowingly conceal such evil practices."

Section 10. Article 143 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 143. Acts tending to prevent the meeting of Congress and similar bodies - The penalty of prisión correccional or a fine ranging from Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000) to Four hundred thousand pesos (₱400,000), or both, shall be imposed upon any person who, by force or fraud, prevents the meeting of Congress or of any of its committees or subcommittees, Constitutional Commissions or committees or divisions thereof, or of any provincial board or city or municipal council or board."

Section 11. Article 144 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 144. Disturbance of proceedings - The penalty of arresto mayor or a fine from Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000) to Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000) shall be imposed upon any person who disturbs the meetings of Congress or of any of its committees or subcommittees. Constitutional Commissions or committees or divisions thereof, or of any provincial board or city or municipal council or board, or in the presence of any such bodies should behave in such manner as to interrupt its proceedings or to impair the respect due it."

Section 12. Article 147 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 147. Illegal associations. - The penalty of prisión correccional in its minimum and medium periods and a fine not exceeding Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000) shall be imposed upon the founders, directors, and presidents of associations totally or partially organized for the purpose of committing any of the crimes punishable under this Code or for some purposed contrary to public morals. Mere members said associations shall suffer the penalty of arresto mayor."

Section 13. Article 148 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 148. Direct assaults - Any persons who, without a public uprising, shall employ force or intimidation for the attainment of any of the purposes enumerated in defining the crimes of rebellion and sedition, or shall attack, employ force, or seriously intimidate or resist any person in authority of any of his agents, while engaged in the performance of official duties, or on occasion of such performance, shall suffer the penalty of prisión correccional in its medium and maximum periods and a fine not exceeding Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000), when the assault is committed with a weapon or when the offender is a public officer or employee, or when the offender lays hands upon a person in authority. If none of these circumstances be present, the penalty of prisión correccional in its minimum period and a fine not exceeding One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000) shall be imposed."

Section 14. Article 149 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 149. Indirect assaults - The penalty of prisión correccional in its minimum and medium periods and a fine not exceeding One hundred thousand (₱100,000) shall be imposed upon any person who shall make use of force or intimidation upon any person coming to the aid of the authorities or their agents on occasion of the commission of any of the crimes defined in the next preceding article."

Section 15. Article 150 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 150. Disobedience to summons issued by Congress, its committees or subcommittees, by the Constitutional Commissions, its committees, subcommittees or divisions - The penalty of arresto mayor or a fine ranging from Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000) to Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000), or both such fine and imprisonment, shall be imposed upon any person who, having been duly summoned to attend as a witness before Congress, its special or standing committees and subcommittees, the Constitutional Commissions and its committees, subcommittees, or divisions, or before any commission or committee chairman or member authorized to summon witnesses, refuses, without legal excuse to obey such summons, or being present before any such legislative or constitutional body or official, refuses to be sworn or placed under affirmation or to answer any legal inquiry or to produce any books, papers, documents, or records in his possession, when required by them to do so in the exercise of their functions. The same penalty shall be imposed upon any person who shall induce disobedience to summons or refusal to be sworn by any such body or official."

Section 16. Article 151 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 151. Resistance and disobedience to a person in authority or the agents of such person - The penalty of arresto mayor and a fine not exceeding One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000) shall be imposed upon any person who not being included in the provisions of the preceding articles shall resist or seriously disobey any person in authority, or the agents of such person, while engaged in the performance of official duties.

"When the disobedience to an agent of a person in authority is not of a serious nature, the penalty of arresto menor or a fine ranging from Two thousand pesos (₱2,000) to Twenty thousand pesos (₱20,000) shall be imposed upon the offender."

Section 17. Article 153 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 153. Tumults and other disturbances of public order; Tumultuous disturbance or interruption liable to cause disturbance - The penalty of arresto mayor in its medium period to prisión correccional in its minimum period and a fine not exceeding Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000) shall be imposed upon any person who shall cause any serious disturbance in a public place, office, or establishment, or shall interrupt or disturb public performances, functions or gatherings, or peaceful meetings, if the act is not included in the provisions of Article 131 and 132.

"The penalty next higher in degree shall be imposed upon persons causing any disturbance or interruption of a tumultuous character.

"The disturbance or interruption shall be deemed to be tumultuous if caused by more three (3) persons who are armed or provided with means of violence.

"The penalty of arresto mayor shall be imposed upon any person who in any meeting, association, or public place, shall make any outcry tending to incite rebellion or sedition or in such place shall display placards or emblems which provoke a disturbance of the public order.

"The penalty of arresto mayor and a fine not to exceed Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000) shall be imposed upon these person who in violation of the provisions contained in the last clause of Article 85, shall bury with pomp the body of a person who has been legally executed."

Section 18. Article 154 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 154. Unlawful use of means of publication and unlawful utterances. - The penalty of arresto mayor and a fine ranging from Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000) to Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000) 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;

"2. Any person who by the same means, or by words, utterances or speeches shall encourage disobedience to the law or to the constituted authorities or praise, justify, or extol an, act punished by law;

"3. Any person who shall maliciously publish or cause to be published any official resolution or document without proper authority or before they have been published officially; or

"4. Any person who shall print, publish, or distribute or cause to be printed, published, or distributed books, pamphlets, periodicals, or leaflets which do not bear the real printer’s name, or which are classified as anonymous."

Section 19. Article 155 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 155. Alarms and scandals.— The penalty of arresto menor or a fine not exceeding Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000) shall be imposed upon:

"1. Any person who within any town or public place, shall discharge any firearm, rocket, firecracker, or other explosives calculated to cause alarm or danger;

"2. Any person who shall instigate or take an active part in any charivari or other disorderly meeting offensive to another or prejudicial to public tranquility;

"3. Any person who, while wandering about at night or while engaged in any other nocturnal amusements, shall disturb the public peace; or

"4. Any person who, while intoxicated or otherwise, shall cause any disturbance or scandal in public places: Provided, That the circumstances of the case shall not make the provisions of Article 153 applicable."

Section 20. Article 163 of the same Act, as amended by Republic Act No. 4202, is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 163. Making and importing and uttering false coins - Any person who make, imports, or utters false coins, in connivance with counterfeiters, or importers, shall suffer:

1. Prisión correccional in its minimum and medium periods and a fine not to exceed Four hundred thousand pesos (₱400,000), if the counterfeited coins be any of the coinage of the Philippines.

2. Prisión correccional in its minimum period and a fine not to exceed Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000), if the counterfeited coin be currency of a foreign country."

Section 21. Article 164 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 164. Mutilation of coins; Importation and utterance of mutilated coins - The penalty of prisión correccional in its minimum period and a fine not to exceed Four hundred thousand pesos (₱400,000) shall be imposed upon any person who shall mutilate coins of the legal currency of the Philippines or import or utter mutilated current coins, or in connivance with mutilators or importers."

Section 22. Article 166 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 166. Forging treasury or bank notes or other documents payable to bearer; Importing, and uttering such false or forged notes and documents - The forging or falsification of treasury or bank notes or certificates or other obligations and securities payable to bearer and the importation and uttering in connivance with forgers or importers of such false or forced obligation or notes shall be punished as follows:

"1. By reclusion temporal in its minimum period and a fine not to exceed two million pesos (₱2,000,000), if the document which has been falsified, counterfeited, or altered is an obligation or security of the Philippines.

"The words ‘obligation or security of the Philippines’ shall mean all bonds, certificates of indebtedness, national bank notes, coupons, Philippine notes, treasury notes, fractional notes, certificates of deposit, bills, checks, or drafts for money, drawn by or upon authorized officers of the Philippines, and other representatives of value, of whatever denomination, which have been or may be issued under any act of Congress.

"2. By prisión mayor in its maximum period and a fine not to exceed one million pesos (₱1,000,000), if the falsified or altered documents is a circulating note issued by any banking association duly authorized by law to issue the same.

"3. By arresto mayor in its medium period and a fine not to exceed one million pesos (₱1,000,000), if the falsified or counterfeited document was issued by a foreign government.

"4. By prisión mayor in its minimum period and a fine not to exceed Four hundred thousand pesos (₱400,000), when the forged or altered document is a circulating note or bill issued by a foreign bank duly authorized therefor."

Section 23. Article 167 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 167. Counterfeiting, importing and uttering instruments not payable to bearer. - Any person who shall forge, import or utter, in connivance with the forgers or importers, any instrument payable to order or other document of credit not payable to bearer, shall suffer the penalties of prisión correccional in its medium and maximum periods and a fine not exceeding one million two hundred thousand pesos (₱1,200,000)."

Section 24. Article 170 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 170. Falsification of legislative documents. - The penalty of prisión correccional in its maximum two hundred thousand pesos (₱1,200,000) shall be imposed upon any person who, without proper authority therefor alters any bill, resolution, or ordinance enacted or approved or pending approval by either House of Congress or any provincial board or municipal council."

Section 25. Article 171 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 171. Falsification by public officer, employee or notary or ecclesiastic minister. - The penalty of prisión mayor and a fine not to exceed One million pesos (₱1,000,000) shall be imposed upon any public officer, employee, or notary who, taking advantage of his of position shall falsify a document by committing any of the following acts:

"1. Counterfeiting or using any handwriting, signature or rubric;

"2. Causing it to appear that persons have participated in any act or proceeding when they did not in fact so participate;

"3. Attributing to persons who have participated in an act or proceeding statements other than those in fact made by them;

"4. Making untruthful statements in a narration of facts;

"5. Altering true dates;

"6. Making any alteration or intercalation in a genuine document which changes its meaning;

"7 issuing in an authenticated form a document purporting to be a copy of an original document when no such original exists, or including in such a copy a statement contrary to, or different from, that of the genuine original; or

"8. Intercalating any instrument or note relative to the issuance thereof in a protocol, registry, or official book.

"The same penalty shall be imposed upon any ecclesiastical minister who shall commit any of the offenses enumerated in the preceding paragraphs of this article, with respect to any record or document of such character that its falsification may affect the civil status of persons."

Section 26. Article 172 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 172. Falsification by private individual and use of falsified documents. - The penalty of prisión correccional in its medium and maximum periods and a fine of not more than One million pesos (₱1,000,000) shall be imposed upon:

"1. Any private individual who shall commit any of the falsifications enumerated in the next preceding article in any public or official document or letter of exchange or any other kind of commercial document;

"2. Any person who, to the damage of a third party, or with the intent to cause such damage, shall in any private document commit any of the acts of falsification enumerated in the next preceding article; and

"3. Any person who shall knowingly introduce in evidence in any judicial proceeding or to the damage of another or who, with the intent to cause such damage, shall use any of the false documents embraced in the next preceding article, or in any of the foregoing subdivisions of this article, shall be punished by the penalty next lower in degree."

Section 27. Article 174 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 174. False medical certificates, false certificates of merits or service, etc. - The penalties of arresto mayor in its maximum period to prisión correccional in its minimum period and a fine not to exceed Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000) shall be imposed upon:

"1. Any physician or surgeon who, in connection with the practice of his profession, shall issue a false certificate; and

"2. Any public officer who shall issue a false certificate of merit of service, good conduct or similar circumstances."

"The penalty of arresto mayor shall be imposed upon any private person who shall falsify a certificate falling within the classes mentioned in the two (2) preceding subdivisions."

Section 28. Article 176 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 176. Manufacturing and possession of instruments or implements for falsification. - The penalty of prisión correccional in its medium and maximum periods and a fine not to exceed One million pesos (₱1,000,000) shall be imposed upon any person who shall make or introduce into the Philippines any stamps, dies, marks, or other instruments or implements intended to be used in the commission of the offenses of counterfeiting or falsification mentioned in the preceding section of this Chapter.

"Any person who, with the intention of using them, shall have in his possession any of the instruments or implements mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, shall suffer the penalty next lower in degree than that provided therein."

Section 29. Article 178 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 178. Using fictitious name and concealing true name - The penalty of arresto mayor and a fine not to exceed One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000) shall be imposed upon any person who shall publicly use a fictitious name for the purpose of concealing a crime, evading the execution of a judgment or causing damage.

"Any person who conceals his true name and other personal circumstances shall be punished by arresto menor or a fine not to exceed Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000)."

Section 30. Article 180 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 180. False testimony against a defendant. - Any person who shall give false testimony against the defendant in any criminal case shall suffer:

"1. The penalty of reclusion temporal, if the defendant in said case shall have been sentenced to death;

"2. The penalty of prisión mayor, if the defendant shall have been sentenced to reclusion temporal or reclusion perpetua;

"3. The penalty of prisión correccional, if the defendant shall have been sentenced to any other afflictive penalty; and

"4. The penalty of arresto mayor, if the defendant shall have been sentenced to a correctional penalty or a fine, or shall have been acquitted.

"In cases provided in subdivisions 3 and 4 of this article the offender shall further a fine not to exceed Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000)."

Section 31. Article 181 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 181. False testimony favorable to the defendant. - Any person who shall give false testimony in favor of the defendant in a criminal case, shall suffer the penalties of arresto mayor in its maximum period of prisión correccional in its minimum period and a fine not to exceed Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000), if the prosecution is for a felony punishable by an afflictive penalty, and the penalty of arresto mayor in any other case."

Section 32. Article 182 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 182. False testimony in civil cases - Any person found guilty of false testimony in a civil case shall suffer the penalty of prisión correccional in its minimum period and a fine not to exceed One million two hundred thousand pesos (₱1,200,000), if the amount in controversy shall exceed One million pesos (₱1,000,000), and the penalty of arresto mayor in its maximum period to prisión correccional in its minimum period and a fine not to exceed Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000), if the amount in controversy shall not exceed said amount or cannot be estimated."

Section 33. Article 187 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 187. Importation and disposition of falsely marked articles or merchandise made of gold, silver, or other precious metals or their alloys. - The penalty of prisión correccional or a fine ranging from Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000) to Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000), or both, shall be imposed upon any person who shall knowingly import or sell or dispose of any article or merchandise made of gold, silver, or other precious metals, or their alloys, with stamps, brands, or marks which fail to indicate the actual fineness or quality of said metals or alloys.

"Any stamp, brand label, or mark shall be deemed to fail to indicate the actual fineness of the article on which it is engraved, printed, stamped, labeled or attached, when the test of the article shows that the quality or fineness thereof is less by more than one-half karat, if made of gold, and less by more than four one-thousandth, if made of silver, than what is shown by said stamp, brand, label or mark. But in case of watch cases and flatware made of gold, the actual fineness of such gold shall not be less than more than three one-thousandth than the fineness indicated by said stamp, brand, label, or mark."

Section 34. Article 201 of the same Act, as amended by Presidential Decree Nos. 960 and 969, is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 201. Immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions and indecent shows - The penalty of prisión mayor or a fine ranging from Twenty thousand pesos (₱20,000) to Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000), or both such imprisonment and fine, shall be imposed upon:

"1. Those who shall publicly expound or proclaim doctrines openly contrary to public morals;

"2. a. The authors of obscene literature, published with their knowledge in any form; the editors publishing such literature; and the owners/operators of the establishment selling the same;

"b. Those who, in theaters, fairs, cinematographs or any other place, exhibit indecent or immoral plays, scenes, acts or shows, it being understood that the obscene literature or indecent or immoral plays, scenes, acts or shows, whether live or in film, which are prescribed by virtue hereof, shall include those which: (1) glorify criminals or condone crimes; (2) serve no other purpose but to satisfy the market for violence, lust or pornography; (3) offend any race or religion; (4) tend to abet traffic in and use of prohibited drugs; and (5) are contrary to law, public orders, morals, and good customs, established policies, lawful orders, decrees and edicts; and

"3. Those who shall sell, give away or exhibit films, prints, engravings, sculpture or literature which are offensive to morals."

Section 35. Article 202 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 202. Prostitutes; Penalty. - For the purpose of this article, women who, for money or profit, habitually indulge in sexual intercourse or lascivious conduct, are deemed to be prostitutes.

"Any person found guilty of any of the offenses covered by this article shall be punished by arresto menor or a fine not exceeding Twenty thousand pesos (₱20,000), and in case of recidivism, by arresto mayor in its medium period to prisión correccional in its minimum period or a fine ranging from Twenty thousand pesos (₱20,000) to Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000), or both, in the discretion of the court."

Section 36. Article 209 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 209. Betrayal of trust by an attorney or solicitor.— Revelation of Secrets. - In addition to the proper administrative action, the penalty of prisión correccional in its minimum period, or a fine ranging from Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000) to Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000), or both, shall be imposed upon any attorney-at-law or any person duly authorized to represent and/or assist a party to a case who, by any malicious breach of professional duty or of inexcusable negligence or ignorance, shall prejudice his client, or reveal any of the secrets of the latter learned by him in his professional capacity.

"The same penalty shall be imposed upon an attorney-at-law or any person duly authorized to represent and/or assist a party to a case who, having undertaken the defense of a client or having received confidential information from said client in a case, shall undertake the defense of the opposing party in the same case, without the consent of his first client."

Section 37. Article 213 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 213. Frauds against the public treasury and similar offenses. - The penalty of prisión correccional in its medium period to prisión mayor in its minimum period, or a fine ranging from Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000) to Two million pesos (₱2,000,000), or both, shall be imposed upon any public officer who:

"1. In his official capacity, in dealing with any person with regard to furnishing supplies, the making of contracts, or the adjustment or settlement of accounts relating to public property or funds, shall enter into an agreement with any interested party or speculator or make use of any other scheme, to defraud the Government;

"2. Being entrusted with the collection of taxes, licenses, fees and other imposts, shall be guilty of any of the following acts or omissions:

"(a) Demanding, directly or indirectly, the payment of sums different from or larger than those authorized by law.

"(b) Failing voluntarily to issue a receipt, as provided by law, for any sum of money collected by him officially.

"(c) Collecting or receiving, directly or indirectly, by way of payment or otherwise things or objects of a nature different from that provided by law.

"When the culprit is an officer or employee of the Bureau of Internal Revenue or the Bureau of Customs, the provisions of the Administrative Code shall be applied."

Section 38. Article 215 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 215. Prohibited transactions. - The penalty of prisión correccional in its minimum period or a fine ranging from Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000) to Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000), or both, shall be imposed upon any appointive public officer who, during his incumbency, shall directly or indirectly become interested in any transaction of exchange or speculation within the territory subject to his jurisdiction."

Section 39. Article 216 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 216. Possession of prohibited interest by a public officer. - The penalty of arresto mayor in its medium period to prisión correccional in its minimum period, or a fine ranging from Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000) to Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000), or both, shall be imposed upon a public officer who directly or indirectly, shall become interested in any contract or business in which it is his official duty to intervene.

"This provision is applicable to experts, arbitrators and private accountants who, in like manner, shall take part in any contract or transaction connected with the estate or property in appraisal, distribution or adjudication of which they shall have acted, and to guardians and executors with respect to the property belonging to their wards or estate."

Section 40. Article 217 of the same Act, as amended by Republic Act No. 1060, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

"Art. 217. Malversation of public funds or property.— Presumption of malversation. - Any public officer who, by reason of the duties of his office, is accountable for public funds or property, shall appropriate the same, or shall take or misappropriate or shall consent, through abandonment or negligence, shall permit any other person to take such public funds or property, wholly or partially, or shall otherwise be guilty of the misappropriation or malversation of such funds or property, shall suffer:

"1. The penalty of prisión correccional in its medium and maximum periods, if the amount involved in the misappropriation or malversation does not exceed Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000).

"2. The penalty of prisión mayor in its minimum and medium periods, if the amount involved is more than Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000) but does not exceed One million two hundred thousand pesos (₱1,200,000).

"3. The penalty of prisión mayor in its maximum period to reclusion temporal in its minimum period, if the amount involved is more than One million two hundred thousand pesos (₱1,200,000) but does not exceed Two million four hundred thousand pesos (₱2,400,000).

"4. The penalty of reclusion temporal, in its medium and maximum periods, if the amount involved is more than Two million four hundred thousand pesos (₱2,400,000) but does not exceed Four million four hundred thousand pesos (₱4,400,000).

"5. The penalty of reclusion temporal in its maximum period, if the amount involved is more than Four million four hundred thousand pesos (₱4,400,000) but does not exceed Eight million eight hundred thousand pesos (₱8,800,000). If the amount exceeds the latter, the penalty shall be reclusion perpetua.

"In all cases, persons guilty of malversation shall also suffer t he penalty of perpetual special disqualification and a fine equal to the amount of the funds malversed or equal to the total value of the property embezzled.

"The failure of a public officer to have duly forthcoming any public funds or property with which he is chargeable, upon demand by any duly authorized officer, shall be prima facie evidence that he has put such missing funds or property to personal uses."<<

Section 41. Article 218 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 218. Failure of accountable officer to render accounts. - Any public officer, whether in the service or separated therefrom by resignation or any other cause, who is required by law or regulation to render account to the Commission on Audit, or to a provincial auditor and who fails to do so for a period of two (2) months after such accounts should be rendered shall be punished by prisión correccional in its minimum period, or by a fine ranging from Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000) to One million two hundred thousand pesos (₱1,200,000), or both."

Section 42. Article 219 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 219. Failure of a responsible public officer to render accounts before leaving the country. - Any public officer who unlawfully leaves or attempts to leave the Philippines without securing a certificate from the Commission on Audit showing that his accounts have been finally settled, shall be punished by arresto mayor, or a fine ranging from Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000) to Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000, or both."

Section 43. Article 221 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 221. Failure to make delivery of public funds or property. - Any public officer under obligation to make payment from Government funds in his possession, who shall fail to make such payment, shall be punished by arresto mayor and a fine from five (5) to twenty-five (25) percent of the sum which he failed to pay.

"This provision shall apply to any public officer who, being ordered by competent authority to deliver any property in his custody or under his administration, shall refuse to make a delivery.

"The fine shall be graduated in such case by the value of the thing: Provided, That it shall not be leas than Ten thousand pesos (₱10,000)."

Section 44. Article 226 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 226. Removal, concealment or destruction of documents. - Any public officer who shall remove, destroy or conceal documents or papers officially entrusted to him, shall suffer:

"1. The penalty of prisión mayor and a fine not exceeding Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000), whenever serious damage shall have been caused thereby to a third party or to the public interest.

"2. The penalty of prisión correccional in its minimum and medium period and a fine not exceeding Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000), whenever the damage caused to a third party or to the public interest shall not have been serious.

"In either case, the additional penalty of temporary special disqualification in its maximum period to perpetual disqualification shall be imposed."

Section 45. Article 227 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 227. Officer breaking seal - Any public officer charged with the custody of papers or property sealed by proper authority, who shall break the seals or permit them to be broken, shall suffer the penalties of prisión correccional in its minimum and medium periods, temporary special disqualification and a fine not exceeding Four hundred thousand pesos (₱400,000)."

Section 46. Article 228 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 228. Opening of closed documents. - Any public officer not included in the provisions of the next preceding article who, without proper authority, shall open or shall permit to be opened any closed papers, documents or objects entrusted to his custody, shall suffer the penalties of arresto mayor, temporary special disqualification and a fine not exceeding Four hundred thousand pesos (₱400,000)."

Section 47. Article 229 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 229. Revelation of secrets by an officer. - Any public officer who shall reveal any secret known to him by reason of his official capacity, or shall wrongfully deliver papers or copies of papers of which he may have charge and which should not be published, shall suffer the penalties of prisión correccional in its medium and maximum periods, perpetual special disqualification and a fine not exceeding Four hundred thousand pesos (₱400,000) if the revelation of such secrets or the delivery of such papers shall have caused serious damage to the public interest; otherwise, the penalties of prisión correccional in its minimum period, temporary special disqualification and a fine not exceeding One hundred thousand (₱100,000) pesos shall be imposed."

Section 48. Article 230 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 230. Public officer revealing secrets of private individual. - Any public officer to whom the secrets of any private individual shall become known by reason of his office who shall reveal such secrets, shall suffer the penalties of arresto mayor and a fine not exceeding Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000)."

Section 49. Article 231 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 231. Open disobedience. - Any judicial or executive officer who shall openly refuse to execute the judgment, decision or order of any superior authority made within the scope of the jurisdiction of the latter and issue with all the legal formalities, shall suffer the penalties of arresto mayor in its medium period to prisión correccional in its minimum period, temporary special disqualification in its maximum period and a fine not exceeding Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000)."

Section 50. Article 233 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 233. Refusal of assistance. - The penalties of arresto mayor in tits medium period to prisión correccional in its minimum period, perpetual special disqualification and a fine not exceeding Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000), shall be imposed upon a public officer who, upon demand from competent authority, shall fail to lend his cooperation towards the administration of justice or other public service, if such failure shall result in serious damage to the public interest, or to a third party; otherwise, arresto mayor in its medium and maximum periods and a fine not exceeding One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000) shall be imposed."

Section 51. Article 234 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 234. Refusal to discharge elective office. - The penalty of arresto mayor or a fine not exceeding Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000), or both, shall be imposed upon any person who, having been elected by popular election to a public office, shall refuse without legal motive to be sworn in or to discharge the duties of said office."

Section 52. Article 235 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 235. Maltreatment of prisoners. - The penalty of prisión correccional in its medium period to prisión mayor in its minimum period, in addition to his liability for the physical injuries or damage caused, shall be imposed upon any public officer or employee who shall overdo himself in the correction or handling of a prisoner or detention prisoner under his charge, by the imposition of punishments not authorized by the regulations, or by inflicting such punishments in a cruel and humiliating manner.

"If the purpose of the maltreatment is to extort a confession, or to obtain some information from the prisoner, the offender shall be punished by prisión mayor in its minimum period, temporary special disqualification and a fine not exceeding One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000), in addition to his liability for the physical injuries or damage."

Section 53. Article 236 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 236. Anticipation of duties of a public office. - Any person who shall assume the performance of the duties and powers of any public or employment without first being sworn in or having given the bond required by law, shall be suspended from such office or employment until he shall have complied with the respective formalities and shall be fined from Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000) to One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000)."

Section 54. Article 237 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 237. Prolonging performance of duties and powers.— Any public officer who shall continue to exercise the duties and powers of his office, employment or commission, beyond the period provided by law, regulation or special provisions applicable to the case, shall suffer the penalties prisión correccional in its minimum period, special temporary disqualification in its minimum period and a fine not exceeding One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000)."

Section 55. Article 239 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 239. Usurpation of legislative powers. - The penalties of prisión correccional in its minimum period, temporary special disqualification and a fine not exceeding Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000), shall be imposed upon any public officer who shall encroach upon the powers of the legislative branch of the Government, either by making general rules or regulations beyond the scope of his authority, or by attempting to repeal a law or suspending the execution thereof."

Section 56. Article 242 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 242. Disobeying request for disqualification. - Any public officer who, before the question of

jurisdiction is decided, shall continue any proceeding after having been lawfully required to refrain from so doing, shall be punished by arresto mayor and a fine not exceeding One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000)."

Section 57. Article 243 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 243. Orders or requests by executive officers to any judicial authority. - Any executive officer who shall address any order or suggestion to any judicial authority with respect to any case or business coming within the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of justice shall suffer the penalty of arresto mayor and a fine not exceeding One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000)."

Section 58. Article 244 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 244. Unlawful appointments. - Any public officer who shall knowingly nominate or appoint to any public office any person lacking the legal qualifications therefor, shall suffer the penalty of arresto mayor and a fine not exceeding Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000)."

Section 59. Article 259 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 259. Abortion practiced by a physician or midwife and dispensing of abortives. - The penalties provided in Article 256 shall be imposed in its maximum period, respectively, upon any physician or midwife who, taking advantage of their scientific knowledge or skill, shall cause an abortion or assist in causing the same.

"Any pharmacist who, without the proper prescription from a physician shall dispense any abortive shall suffer arresto mayor and a fine not exceeding One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000)."

Section 60. Article 265 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 265. Less serious physical injuries. - Any person who shall inflict upon another physical injuries not described in the preceding articles, but which shall incapacitate the offended party for labor for ten (10) days or more, or shall require medical assistance for the same period, shall be guilty of less serious physical injuries and shall suffer the penalty of arresto mayor.

"Whenever less serious physical injuries shall have been inflicted with the manifest intent to insult or offend the injured person, or under circumstances adding ignominy to the offense, in addition to the penalty of arresto mayor, a fine not exceeding Fifty thousand pesos (₱50,000) shall be imposed.Ꮮαwρhi৷

"Any less serious physical injuries inflicted upon the offender’s parents, ascendants, guardians, curators, teachers, or persons of rank, or persons in authority, shall be punished by prisión correccional in its minimum and medium periods: Provided, That in the case of persons in authority, the deed does not constitute the crime of assault upon such persons."

Section 61. Article 266 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 266. Slight physical injuries and maltreatment. - The crime of slight physical injuries shall be punished:

"1. By arresto menor when the offender has inflicted physical injuries which shall incapacitate the offended party for labor from one (1) days to nine (9) days, or shall require medical attendance during the same period.

"2. By arresto menor or a fine not exceeding Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000) and censure when the offender has caused physical injuries which do not prevent the offended party from engaging in his habitual work nor require medical assistance.

"3. By arresto menor in its minimum period or a fine not exceeding Five thousand pesos (₱5,000) when the offender shall ill-treat another by deed without causing any injury.’

Section 62. Article 268 of the same Act, as amended by Republic Act No. 18, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

"Art. 268. Slight illegal detention. - The penalty of reclusion temporal shall be imposed upon any private individual who shall commit the crimes described in the next preceding article without the attendance of any of the circumstances enumerated therein."The same penalty shall be incurred by anyone who shall furnish the place for the perpetration of the crime.

"If the offender shall voluntarily release the person so kidnapped or detained within three (3) days from the commencement of the detention, without having attained the purpose intended, and before the institution of criminal proceedings against him, the penalty shall be prisión mayor in its minimum and medium periods and a fine not exceeding One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000)."

Section 63. Article 269 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 269. Unlawful arrest. - The penalty of arresto mayor and a fine not exceeding One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000) shall be imposed upon any person who, in any case other than those authorized by law, or without reasonable ground therefor, shall arrest or detain another for the purpose of delivering him to the proper authorities."

Section 64. Article 271 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 271. Inducing a minor to abandon his home. - The penalty of prisión correccional and a fine not exceeding One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000) shall be imposed upon anyone who shall induce a minor to abandon the home of his parents or guardians or the persons entrusted with his custody.

"If the person committing any of the crimes covered by the two (2) preceding articles shall be the father or the mother of the minor, the penalty shall be arresto mayor or a fine not exceeding Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000), or both."

Section 65. Article 276 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 276. Abandoning a minor. - The penalty of arresto mayor and a fine not exceeding One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000) shall be imposed upon anyone who shall abandon a child under seven (7) years of age, the custody of which is incumbent upon him.

"When the death of the minor shall result from such abandonment, the culprit shall be punished by prisión correccional in its medium and maximum periods; but if the life of the minor shall have been in danger only, the penalty shall be prisión correccional in its minimum and medium periods.

"The provisions contained in the two (2) preceding paragraphs shall not prevent the imposition of the penalty provided for the act committed, when the same shall constitute a more serious offense."

Section 66. Article 277 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 277. Abandonment of minor by person entrusted with his custody; Indifference of parents. - The penalty of arresto mayor and a fine not exceeding One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000) shall be imposed upon anyone who, having charge off the rearing or education of a minor, shall deliver said minor to a public institution or other persons, without the consent of the one who entrusted such child to his care or in the absence of the latter, without the consent of the proper authorities.

"The same penalty shall be imposed upon the parents who shall neglect their children by not giving them the education which their station in life requires and financial condition permits."

Section 67. Article 278 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 278. Exploitation of minors. - The penalty of prisión correccional in its minimum and medium periods and a fine not exceeding One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000) shall be imposed upon:

"1. Any person who shall cause any boy or girl under sixteen (16) years of age to perform any dangerous feat of balancing, physical strength, or contortion.

"2. Any person who, being an acrobat, gymnast, rope-walker, diver, wild-animal tamer or circus manager or engaged in a similar calling, shall employ in exhibitions of these kinds children under sixteen (16) years of age who are not his children or descendants.

"3. Any person engaged in any of the callings enumerated in the next preceding paragraph who shall employ any descendant of his under twelve years (12) years of age in such dangerous exhibitions.

"4. Any ascendant, guardian, teacher or person entrusted in any capacity with the care of a child under sixteen (16) Years of age, who shall deliver such child gratuitously to any person following any of the callings enumerated in paragraph 2 hereof, or to any habitual vagrant or beggar.

"If the delivery shall have been made in consideration of any price, compensation, or promise, the penalty shall in every case be imposed in its maximum period.1âwphi1

"In either case, the guardian or curator convicted shall also be removed from office as guardian or curator; and in the case of the parents of the child, they may be deprived, temporarily or perpetually, in the discretion of the court, of their parental authority.

"5. Any person who shall induce any child under sixteen (16) years of age to abandon the home of its ascendants, guardians, curators or teachers to follow any person engaged in any of the callings mentioned in paragraph 2 hereof, or to accompany any habitual vagrant or beggar."

Section 68. Article 280 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 280. Qualified trespass to dwelling. - Any private person who shall enter the dwelling of another against the latter’s will shall be punished by arresto mayor and a fine not exceeding Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000).

"If the offense be committed by means of violence or intimidation, the penalty shall be prisión correccional in its medium and maximum periods and a fine not exceeding Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000).

"The provisions of this article shall not be applicable to any person who shall enter another’s dwelling for the purpose of preventing some serious harm to himself, the occupants of the dwelling or a third person, nor shall it be applicable to any person who shall enter a dwelling for the purpose of rendering some service to humanity or justice, nor to anyone who shall enter cafes, taverns, inns and other public houses, while the same are open."

Section 69. Article 281 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 281. Other forms of trespass. - The penalty of arresto menor or a fine not exceeding Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000), or both, shall be imposed upon any person who shall enter the closed premises or the fenced estate of another, while either or both of them are uninhabited, if the prohibition to enter be manifest and the trespasser has not secured the permission of the owner or the caretaker thereof."

Section 70. Article 282 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 282. Grave threats. - Any person who shall threaten another with the infliction upon the person, honor or property of the latter or of his family of any wrong amounting to a crime, shall suffer:

"1. The penalty next lower in degree than that prescribed by law for the crime he threatened to commit, if the offender shall have made the threat demanding money or imposing any other condition, even though not unlawful, and said offender shall have attained his purpose. If the offender shall not have attained his purpose, the penalty lower by two (2) degrees shall be imposed.

"If the threat be made in writing or through a middleman, the penalty shall be imposed in its maximum period.

"2. The penalty of arresto mayor and a fine not exceeding One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000), if the threat shall not have been made subject to a condition."

Section 71. Article 285 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 285. Other light threats. - The penalty of arresto menor in its minimum period or a fine not exceeding Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000) shall be imposed upon:

"1. Any person who, without being included in the provisions of the next preceding article, shall threaten another with a weapon, or draw such weapon in a quarrel, unless it be in lawful self-defense.

"2. Any person who, in the heat of anger, shall orally threaten another with some harm not constituting a crime, and who by subsequent acts shows that he did not persist in the idea involved in his threat: Provided, That the circumstances of the offense shall not bring it within the provisions of Article 282 of this Code.

"3. Any person who shall orally threaten to do another any harm not constituting a felony."

Section 72. Article 286 of the same Act, as amended by Republic Act No. 7890, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

"Art. 286. Grave coercions. - The penalty of prisión correccional and a fine not exceeding One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000) shall be imposed upon any person who, without any authority of law, shall, by means of violence, threats, or intimidation, prevent another from doing something not prohibited by law, or compel him to do something against his will, whether it be right or wrong.

"If the coercion be committed in violation of the exercise of the right of suffrage, or for the purpose of compelling another to perform any religious act, or to prevent him from exercising such right or from so doing such act, the penalty next higher in degree shall be imposed."

Section 73. Article 287 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 287. Light coercions. - Any person who, by means of violence, shall seize anything belonging to his debtor for the purpose of applying the same to the payment of the debt, shall suffer the penalty of arresto mayor in its minimum period and a fine equivalent to the value of the thing, but in no case less than Fifteen thousand pesos (₱15,000).

"Any other coercions or unjust vexations shall be punished by arresto menor or a fine ranging from One thousand pesos (₱1,000) to not more than Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000), or both."

Section 74. Article 288 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 288. Other similar coercions; (Compulsory purchase of merchandise and payment of wages by means of tokens. - The penalty of arresto mayor or a fine ranging from Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000) to One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000), or both, shall be imposed upon any person, agent or officer of any association or corporation who shall force or compel, directly or indirectly, or shall knowingly permit any laborer or employee employed by him or by such firm or corporation to be forced or compelled, to purchase merchandise or commodities of any kind.

"The same penalties shall be imposed upon any person who shall pay the wages due a laborer or employee employed by him, by means of tokens or objects other than the legal tender currency of the Philippines, unless expressly requested by the laborer or employee."

Section 75. Article 289 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 289. Formation, maintenance and prohibition of combination of capital or labor through violence or threats. - The penalty of arresto mayor and a fine not exceeding Sixty thousand pesos (₱60,000) shall be imposed upon any person who, for the purpose of organizing, maintaining or preventing coalitions of capital or labor, strike of laborers or lock-out of employers, shall employ violence or threats in such a degree as to compel or force the laborers or employees in the free and legal exercise of their industry or work, if the act shall not constitute a more serious offense in accordance with the provisions of this Code."

Section 76. Article 290 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 290. Discovering secrets through seizure of correspondence. - The penalty of prisión correccional in its minimum and medium periods and a fine not exceeding One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000) shall be imposed upon any private individual who in order to discover the secrets of another, shall seize his papers or letters and reveal the contents thereof.

"If the offender shall not reveal such secrets, the penalty shall be arresto mayor and a fine not exceeding One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000).

"This provision shall not be applicable to parents, guardians, or person entrusted with the custody of minors with respect to the papers or letters of the children or minors placed under their care or custody, nor to spouses with respect to the papers or letters of either of them."

Section 77. Article 291 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 291. Revealing secrets with abuse of office. - The penalty of arresto mayor and a fine not exceeding One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000) shall be imposed upon any manager, employee or servant who, in such capacity, shall learn the secrets of his principal or master and shall reveal such secrets."

Section 78. Article 292 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 292. Revelation of industrial secrets. - The penalty of prisión correccional in its minimum and medium periods and a fine not exceeding One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000) shall be imposed upon the person in charge, employee or workman of any manufacturing or industrial establishment who, to the prejudice of the owner thereof, shall reveal the secrets of the industry of the latter."

Section 79. Article 299 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 299. Robbery in an inhabited house or public building or edifice devoted to worship. - Any armed person who shall commit robbery in an inhabited house or public building or edifice devoted to religious worship, shall be punished by reclusion temporal, if the value of the property taken shall exceed Fifty thousand pesos (₱50,000), and if—

"(a) The malefactors shall enter the house or building in which the robbery was committed, by any of the following means:

"1. Through an opening not intended for entrance or egress.

"2. By breaking any wall, roof, or floor or breaking any door or window.

"3. By using false keys, picklocks or similar tools.

"4. By using any fictitious name or pretending the exercise of public authority.

"Or if—

"(b) The robbery be committed under any of the following circumstances:

"1. By the breaking of doors, wardrobes, chests, or any other kind of locked or sealed furniture or receptacle.

"2. By taking such furniture or objects away to be broken or forced upon outside the place of the robbery.

"When the offenders do not carry arms, and the value of the property taken exceeds Fifty thousand pesos (₱50,000), the penalty next lower in degree shall be imposed.

"The same rule shall be applied when the offenders are armed, but the value of the property taken does not exceed Fifty thousand pesos (₱50,000).

"When said offenders do not carry arms and the value of the property taken does not exceed Fifty thousand pesos (₱50,000), they shall suffer the penalty prescribed in the two (2) next preceding paragraphs, in its minimum period.

"If the robbery be committed in one of the dependencies of an inhabited house, public building, or building dedicated to religious worship, the penalties next lower in degree than those prescribed in this article shall be imposed."

Section 80. Article 302 of the same Act, as amended by Commonwealth Act No. 417, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

"Art. 302. Robbery in an uninhabited place or in a private building. - Any robbery committed in an uninhabited place or in a building other than those mentioned in the first paragraph of Article 299, if the value of the property taken exceeds Fifty thousand pesos (₱50,000), shall be punished by prisión correccional in its medium and maximum periods provided that any of the following circumstances is present:

"1. If the entrance has been effected through any opening not intended for entrance or egress.

"2. If any wall, roof, floor or outside door or window has been broken.

"3. If the entrance has been effected through the use of false keys, picklocks or other similar tools.

"4. If any door, wardrobe, chest, or any sealed or closed furniture or receptacle has been broken.

"5. If any closed or sealed receptacle, as mentioned in the preceding paragraph, has been removed, even if the same be broken open elsewhere.

"When the value of the property taken does not exceed Fifty thousand pesos (₱50,000), the penalty next lower in degree shall be imposed.

"In the cases specified in Articles 294, 295, 297, 299, 300, and 302 of this Code, when the property taken is mail matter or large cattle, the offender shall suffer the penalties next higher in degree than those provided in said articles."

Section 81. Article 309 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 309. Penalties. - Any person guilty of theft shall be punished by:

"1. The penalty of prisión mayor in its minimum and medium periods, if the value of the thing stolen is more than One million two hundred thousand pesos (₱1,200,000) but does not exceed Two million two hundred thousand pesos (₱2,200,000); but if the value of the thing stolen exceeds the latter amount, the penalty shall be the maximum period of the one prescribed in this paragraph, and one (1) year for each additional One million pesos (₱1,000,000), but the total of the penalty which may be imposed shall not exceed twenty (20) years. In such cases, and in connection with the accessory penalties which may be imposed and for the purpose of the other provisions of this Code, the penalty shall be termed prisión mayor or reclusion temporal, as the case may be.

"2. The penalty of prisión correccional in its medium and maximum periods, if the value of the thing stolen is more than Six hundred thousand pesos (₱600,000) but does not exceed One million two hundred thousand pesos (₱1,200,000).

"3. The penalty of prisión correccional in its minimum and medium periods, if the value of the property stolen is more than Twenty thousand pesos (₱20,000) but does not exceed Six hundred thousand pesos (₱600,000).

"4. Arresto mayor in its medium period to prisión correccional in its minimum period, if the value of the property stolen is over Five thousand pesos (₱5,000) but does not exceed Twenty thousand pesos (₱20,000).

"5. Arresto mayor to its full extent, if such value is over Five hundred pesos (₱500) but does not exceed Five thousand pesos (₱5,000).

"6. Arresto mayor in its minimum and medium periods, if such value does not exceed Five hundred pesos (₱500).

"7. Arresto menor or a fine not exceeding Twenty thousand pesos (₱20,000), if the theft is committed under the circumstances enumerated in paragraph 3 of the next preceding article and the value of the thing stolen does not exceed Five hundred pesos (₱500). If such value exceeds said amount, the provisions of any of the five preceding subdivisions shall be made applicable.

"8. Arresto menor in its minimum period or a fine of not exceeding Five thousand pesos (₱5,000), when the value of the thing stolen is not over Five hundred pesos (₱500), and the offender shall have acted under the impulse of hunger, poverty, or the difficulty of earning a livelihood for the support of himself or his family."

Section 82. Article 311 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 311. Theft of the property of the National Library and National Museum.— If the property stolen be any property of the National Museum, the penalty shall be arresto mayor or a fine ranging from Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000) to One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000), or both, unless a higher penalty should be provided under other provisions of this Code, in which case, the offender shall be punished by such higher penalty."

Section 83. Article 312 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 312. Occupation of real property or usurpation of real rights in property. - Any person who, by means of violence against or intimidation of persons, shall take possession of any real property or shall usurp any real rights in property belonging to another, in addition to the penalty incurred for the acts of violence executed by him, shall be punished by a fine from fifty (50) to one hundred (100) per centum of the gain which he shall have obtained, but not less than Fifteen thousand pesos (₱15,000).

"If the value of the gain cannot be ascertained, a fine from Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000) to One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000) shall be imposed."

Section 84. Article 313 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 313. Altering boundaries or landmarks. - Any person who shall alter the boundary marks or monuments of towns, provinces, or estates, or any other marks intended to designate the boundaries of the same, shall be punished by arresto menor or a fine not exceeding Twenty thousand pesos (₱20,000), or both."

Section 85. Article 315 of the same Act, as amended by Republic Act No. 4885, Presidential Decree No. 1689, and Presidential Decree No. 818, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

"Art. 315. Swindling (estafa). - Any person who shall defraud another by any of the means mentioned hereinbelow shall be punished by:

"1st. The penalty of prisión correccional in its maximum period to prisión mayor in its minimum period, if the amount of the fraud is over Two million four hundred thousand pesos (₱2,400,000) but does not exceed Four million four hundred thousand pesos (₱4,400,000), and if such amount exceeds the latter sum, the penalty provided in this paragraph shall be imposed in its maximum period, adding one year for each additional Two million pesos (₱2,000,000); but the total penalty which may be imposed shall not exceed twenty years. In such cases, and in connection with the accessory penalties which may be imposed and for the purpose of the other provisions of this Code, the penalty shall be termed prisión mayor or reclusion temporal, as the case may be.

"2nd. The penalty of prisión correccional in its minimum and medium periods, if the amount of the fraud is over One million two hundred thousand pesos (₱1,200,000) but does not exceed Two million four hundred thousand pesos (₱2,400,000).

"3rd. The penalty of arresto mayor in its maximum period to prisión correccional in its minimum period, if such amount is over Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000) but does not exceed One million two hundred thousand pesos (₱1,200,000).

"4th. By arresto mayor in its medium and maximum periods, if such amount does not exceed Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000): Provided, That in the four cases mentioned, the fraud be committed by any of the following means:

"1. With unfaithfulness or abuse of confidence, namely:

"(a) altering the substance, quantity, or quality of anything of value which the offender shall deliver by virtue of an obligation to do so, even though such obligation be based on an immoral or illegal consideration.

"(b) By misappropriating or converting, to the prejudice of another, money, goods, or any other personal property received by the offender in trust or on commission, or for administration, or under any other obligation involving the duty to make delivery of or to return the same, even though such obligation be totally or partially guaranteed by a bond; or by denying having received such money, goods, or other property.

"(c) By taking undue advantage of the signature of the offended party in blank, and by writing any document above such signature in blank, to the prejudice of the offended party or any third person.

"2. By means of any of the following false pretenses or fraudulent acts executed prior to or simultaneously with the commission of the fraud:

"(a) By using fictitious name, or falsely pretending to possess power, influence, qualifications, property, credit, agency, business or imaginary transactions, or by means of other similar deceits.

"(b) By altering the quality, fineness or weight of anything pertaining to his art or business.

"(c) By pretending to have bribed any Government employee, without prejudice to the action for calumny which the offended party may deem proper to bring against the offender. In this case, the offender shall be punished by the maximum period of the penalty.

"(d) By postdating a check, or issuing a check in payment of an obligation when the offender had no funds in the bank, or his funds deposited therein were not sufficient to cover the amount of the check. The failure of the drawer of the check to deposit the amount necessary to cover his check within three (3) clays from receipt of notice from the bank and/or the payee or holder that said check has been dishonored for lack or insufficiency of funds shall be prime facie evidence of deceit constituting false pretense or fraudulent act.

"Any person who shall defraud another by means of false pretenses or fraudulent acts as defined in paragraph 2(d) hereof shall be punished by:

"1st The penalty of reclusion temporal in its maximum period, if the amount of fraud is over Four million four hundred thousand pesos (₱4,400,000) but does not exceed Eight million eight hundred thousand pesos (₱8,800,000). If the amount exceeds the latter, the penalty shall be reclusion perpetua.

"2nd. The penalty of reclusion temporal in its minimum and medium periods, if the amount of the fraud is over Two million four hundred thousand pesos (₱2,400,000) but does not exceed Four million four hundred thousand pesos (₱4,400,000).

"3rd. The penalty of prisión mayor in its maximum period, if the amount of the fraud is over One million two hundred thousand pesos (₱1,200,000) but does not exceed Two million four hundred thousand pesos (₱2,400,000).

"4th. The penalty of prisión mayor in its medium period, if such amount is over Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000) but does not exceed One million two hundred thousand pesos (₱1,200,000).

"5th. By prisión mayor in its minimum period, if such amount does not exceed Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000).

"3. Through any of the following fraudulent means:

"(a) By inducing another, by means of deceit, to sign any document.

"(b) By resorting to some fraudulent practice to insure success in a gambling game.

"(c) By removing, concealing or destroying, in whole or in part, any court record, office files, document or any other papers."

Section 86. Article 318 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 318. Other deceits. - The penalty of arresto mayor and a fine of not less than the amount of the damage caused and not more than twice such amount shall be imposed upon any person who shall defraud or damage another by any other deceit not mentioned in the preceding articles of this Chapter.

"Any person who, for profit or gain, shall interpret dreams, make forecasts, tell fortunes, or take advantage of the credulity of the public in any other similar manner, shall suffer the penalty of arresto mayor or a fine not exceeding Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000)."

Section 87. Article 328 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 328. Special cases of malicious mischief. - Any person who shall cause damage to obstruct the performance of public functions, or using any poisonous or corrosive substance; or spreading any infection or contagion among cattle; or who causes damage to the property of the National Museum or National Library, or to any archive or registry, waterworks, road, promenade, or any other thing used in common by the public, shall be punished:

"1. By prisión correccional in its minimum and medium periods, if the value of the damage caused exceeds Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000);

"2. Bv arresto mayor if such value does not exceed the abovementioned amount but is over Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000); and

"3. By arresto menor, if such value does not exceed Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000)."

Section 88. Article 329 of the same Act, as amended by Commonwealth Act No. 3999, is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 329. Other mischiefs. - The mischiefs not included in the next preceding article shall be punished:

"1. By arresto mayor in its medium and maximum periods, if the value of the damage caused exceeds Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000);

"2. By arresto mayor in its minimum and medium periods, if such value is over Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000) but does not exceed Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000); and

"3. By arresto menor or a fine of not less than the value of the damage caused and not more than Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000), if the amount involved does not exceed Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000) or cannot be estimated."

Section 89. Article 331 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 331. Destroying or damaging statues, public monuments or paintings. - Any person who shall destroy or damage statues or any other useful or ornamental public monument, shall suffer the penalty of arresto mayor in its medium period to prisión correccional in its minimum period.

"Any person who shall destroy or damage any useful or ornamental painting of a public nature shall suffer the penalty of arresto menor or a fine not exceeding Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000), or both such fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court."

Section 90. Article 347 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 347. Simulation of births, substitution of one child for another and concealment or abandonment of a legitimate child. - The simulation of births and the substitution of one child for another shall be punished by prisión mayor and a fine of not exceeding Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000).

"The same penalties shall be imposed upon any person who shall conceal or abandon any legitimate child with intent to cause such child to lose its civil status.

"Any physician or surgeon or public officer who, in violation of the duties of his profession or office. shall cooperate in the execution of any of the crimes mentioned in the two (2) next preceding paragraphs, shall suffer the penalties therein prescribed and also the penalty of temporary special disqualification."

Section 91. Article 355 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 355. Libel by means of writings or similar means. - A libel committed by means of writing, printing, lithography, engraving, radio, phonograph, painting, theatrical exhibition, cinematographic exhibition, or any similar means, shall be punished by prisión correccional in its minimum and medium periods or a fine ranging from Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000) to One million two hundred thousand pesos (₱1,200,000), or both, in addition to the civil action which may be brought by the offended party."

Section 92. Article 356 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 356. Threatening to publish and offer to prevent such publication for a compensation. - The penalty of arresto mayor or a fine from Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000) to Four hundred thousand pesos (₱400,000), or both, shall be imposed upon any person who threatens another to publish a libel concerning him or the parents, spouse, child, or other member of the family of the latter, or upon anyone who shall offer to prevent the publication of such libel for a compensation or money consideration."

Section 93. Article 357 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 357. Prohibited publication of acts referred to in the course of official proceedings. - The penalty of arresto mayor or a fine of Forty thousand pesos (₱40,000) to Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000), or both, shall be imposed upon any reporter, editor or manager of a newspaper, daily or magazine, who shall publish facts connected with the private life of another and offensive to the honor, virtue and reputation of said person, even though said publication be made in connection with or under the pretext that it is necessary in the narration of any judicial or administrative proceedings wherein such facts have been mentioned."

Section 94. Article 358 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 358. Slander. - Oral defamation shall be punished by arresto mayor in its maximum period to prisión correccional in its minimum period if it is of a serious and insulting nature; otherwise the penalty shall be arresto menor or a fine not exceeding Twenty thousand pesos (₱20,000)."

Section 95. Article 359 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 359. Slander by deed. - The penalty of arresto mayor in its maximum period to prisión correccional in its minimum period or a fine ranging from Twenty thousand pesos (₱20,000) to One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000) shall be imposed upon any person who shall perform any act not included and punished in this title, which shall cast dishonor, discredit or contempt upon another person. If said act is not of a serious nature. the penalty shall be arresto menor or a fine not exceeding Twenty thousand pesos (₱20,000)."

Section 96. Article 364of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Art. 364. Intriguing against honor. - The penalty of arresto menor or fine not exceeding Twenty thousand pesos (₱20,000) shall be imposed for any intrigue which has for its principal purpose to blemish the honor or reputation of a person."

Section 97. Article 365 of the same Act, as amended by Republic Act No. 1790, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

"Art. 365. Imprudence and negligence.— Any person who, by reckless imprudence, shall commit any act which, had it been intentional, would constitute a grave felony, shall suffer the penalty of arresto mayor in its maximum period to prisión correccional in its medium period; if it would have constituted a less grave felony, the penalty of arresto mayor in its minimum and medium periods shall be imposed; if it would have constituted a light felony, the penalty of arresto menor in its maximum period shall be imposed.

"Any person who, by simple imprudence or negligence, shall commit an act which would otherwise constitute a grave felony, shall suffer the penalty of arresto mayor in its medium and maximum periods; if it would have constituted a less serious felony, the penalty of arresto mayor in its minimum period shall be imposed.

"When the execution of the act covered by this article shall have only resulted in damage to the property of another, the offender shall be punished by a fine ranging from an amount equal to the value of said damages to three (3) times such value, but which shall in no case be Less than Five thousand pesos (₱5,000).

"A fine not exceeding Forty thousand pesos (₱40.000) and censure shall be imposed upon any person, who, by simple imprudence or negligence, shall cause some wrong which, if done maliciously, would have constituted a light felony.

"In the imposition of these penalties, the court shall exercise their sound discretion, without regard to the rules prescribed in Article 64.1âwphi1

"The provisions contained in this article shall not be applicable:

"1. When the penalty provided for the offense is equal to or lower than those provided in the first two (2) paragraphs of this article, in which case the court shall impose the penalty next lower in degree than that which should be imposed in the period which they may deem proper to apply.

"2. When, by imprudence or negligence and with violation of the Automobile Law, the death of a person shall be caused, in which case the defendant shall be punished by prisión correccional in its medium and maximum periods.

"Reckless imprudence consists in voluntarily, but without malice, doing or failing to do an act from which material damage results by reason of inexcusable lack of precaution on the part of the person performing or failing to perform such act, taking into consideration his employment or occupation, degree of intelligence, physical condition and other circumstances regarding persons, time and place.

"Simple imprudence consists in the lack of precaution displayed in those cases in which the damage impending to be caused is not immediate nor the danger clearly manifest.

"The penalty next higher in degree to those provided for in this article shall be imposed upon the offender who fails to lend on the spot to the injured parties such help as may be in his hands to give."

Section 98. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act be declared invalid, the remaining provisions shall continue to be valid and subsisting.

Section 99. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, or administrative orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended, repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 100. Retroactive Effect. - This Act shall have retroactive effect to the extent that it is favorable to the accused or person serving sentence by final judgment.1âwphi1

Section 101. Transitory Provision; Applicability to Pending Cases. - For cases pending before the courts upon the effectivity of this Act where trial has already started, the courts hearing such cases shall not lose jurisdiction over the same by virtue of this Act.

Section 102. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect within fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

PANTALEON D. ALVAREZ
Speaker of the House of Representatives

AQUILINO "KOKO" PIMENTEL
President of the Senate

This Act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 11 and House Bill No. 5513 was finally passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on May 30. 2017.

CESAR STRAIT PAREJA
Secretary General
House of Representatives

LUTGARDO BARBO
Secretary of the Senate

Approved: August 29, 2017

(Sgd.) RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE
President of the Philippines

RA 10951 - RPC Penalty and Fine Adjustments (2017)

In brief

Key provisions

Common questions