Criminal Law 2 Ortega Notes

REVISED ORTEGA LECTURE NOTES ON CRIMINAL
TITLE I. CRIMES AGAINST NATIONAL

Almost all of these are crimes committed in
SECURITY AND THE LAW OF NATIONS
times of war, except the following, which
can be committed in times of peace:
Crimesagainstnationalsecurity (1) Espionage, under Article 114 – This

is also covered by Commonwealth
1. Treason (Art. 114); Act No. 616 which punishes
conspiracy to commit espionage.
2. Conspiracy and proposal to commit This may be committed both in times
treason (Art. 115); of war and in times of peace.
3. Misprision of treason (Art. 116); and (2) Inciting to War or Giving Motives for
Reprisals, under Article 118 – This
4. Espionage (Art. 117). can be committed even if the
Philippines is not a participant.
Exposing the Filipinos or their
Crimesagainstthelawofnations properties because the offender

performed an unauthorized act, like
1. Inciting to war or giving motives for those who recruit Filipinos to
reprisals (Art. 118); participate in the gulf war. If they

involve themselves to the war, this
2. Violation of neutrality (Art. 119); crime is committed. Relevant in the
cases of Flor Contemplacion or
3. Corresponding with hostile country Abner Afuang, the police officer who
(Art. 120); stepped on a Singaporean flag.
4. Flight to enemy's country (Art. 121); (3) Violation of Neutrality, under Article
and 119 – The Philippines is not a party
to a war but there is a war going on.
5. Piracy in general and mutiny on the This may be committed in the light of
high seas (Art. 122). the Middle East war.
The crimes under this title can be Article 114. Treason

prosecuted even if the criminal act or acts
were committed outside the Philippine Elements
territorial jurisdiction. However, prosecution
can proceed only if the offender is within 1. Offender is a Filipino or resident
Philippine territory or brought to the alien;
Philippines pursuant to an extradition treaty.
This is one of the instances where the 2. There is a war in which the
Revised Penal Code may be given extra- Philippines is involved;
territorial application under Article 2 (5)
thereof. In the case of crimes against the 3. Offender either –
law of nations, the offender can be
prosecuted whenever he may be found a. levies war against the
because the crimes are regarded as government; or
committed against humanity in general.
b. adheres to the enemies,
giving them aid or comfort
within the Philippines or

elsewhere
2. At least one person decides to –
a. levy war against the

Requirementsoflevyingwar
government; or
1. Actual assembling of men;
b. adhere to the enemies,
giving them aid or comfort;
2. To execute a treasonable design by 3. He proposes its execution to some
force; other persons.
3. Intent is to deliver the country in whole
or in part to the enemy; and Article 116. Misprision of Treason
4. Collaboration with foreign enemy or
Elements
some foreign sovereign
1. Offender owes allegiance to the
Twowaysofprovingtreason government, and not a foreigner;
1. Testimony of at least two witnesses 2. He has knowledge of conspiracy to

to the same overt act; or commit treason against the government;
2. Confession of accused in open 3. He conceals or does not disclose and

court. make known the same as soon as
possible to the governor or fiscal of the
province in which he resides, or the
Article 115. Conspiracy and Proposal to mayor or fiscal of the city in which he
Commit Treason resides.
Elementsofconspiracytocommittreason
While in treason, even aliens can commit
1. There is a war in which the said crime because of the amendment to
Philippines is involved; the article, no such amendment was made
in misprision of treason. Misprision of
2. At least two persons come to an treason is a crime that may be committed
agreement to – only by citizens of the Philippines.
a. levy war against the The essence of the crime is that there are
government; or persons who conspire to commit treason
and the offender knew this and failed to
b. adhere to the enemies, make the necessary report to the
giving them aid or comfort; government within the earliest possible
time. What is required is to report it as soon
3. They decide to commit it. as possible. The criminal liability arises if the
treasonous activity was still at the
conspiratorial stage. Because if the treason
Elementsofproposaltocommittreason already erupted into an overt act, the
implication is that the government is already
1. There is a war in which the aware of it. There is no need to report the
Philippines is involved; same. This is a felony by omission
although committed with dolo, not with 1. Offender enters any of the
culpa. places mentioned;
The persons mentioned in Article 116 are 2. He has no authority
not limited to mayor, fiscal or governor. Any therefore;
person in authority having equivalent
jurisdiction, like a provincial commander, will 3. His purpose is to obtain
already negate criminal liability. information, plans,
photographs or other data of
Whether the conspirators are parents or a confidential nature relative
children, and the ones who learn the to the defense of the
conspiracy is a parent or child, they are Philippines.
required to report the same. The reason is
that although blood is thicker than water so 2. By disclosing to the representative of
to speak, when it comes to security of the a foreign nation the contents of the
state, blood relationship is always articles, data or information referred
subservient to national security. Article 20 to in paragraph 1 of Article 117,
does not apply here because the persons which he had in his possession by
found liable for this crime are not reason of the public office he holds.
considered accessories; they are treated as
principals. Elements
In the 1994 bar examination, a problem was 1. Offender is a public officer;
given with respect to misprision of treason.
The text of the provision simply refers to a 2. He has in his possession the
conspiracy to overthrow the government. articles, data or information
The examiner failed to note that this crime referred to in paragraph 1 of
can only be committed in times of war. The Article 117, by reason of the
conspiracy adverted to must be treasonous public office he holds;
in character. In the problem given, it was 3. He discloses their contents to
rebellion. A conspiracy to overthrow the a representative of a foreign
government is a crime of rebellion because nation.
there is no war. Under the Revised Penal
Code, there is no crime of misprision of
rebellion. Commonwealth Act No. 616 – An Act to
Punish Espionage and Other Offenses
against National Security
Article 117. Espionage
Actspunished
Actspunished
1. Unlawfully obtaining or permitting to
1. By entering, without authority be obtained information affecting
therefore, a warship, fort or naval or national defense;
military establishment or reservation
to obtain any information, plans, 2. Unlawful disclosing of information
photograph or other data of a affecting national defense;
confidential nature relative to the
defense of the Philippines; 3. Disloyal acts or words in times of
peace;
Elements
4. Disloyal acts or words in times of

hence, national security was not really
war;
threatened. Now, the threat of rebellion or
internal wars is serious as a national threat.
5. Conspiracy to violate preceding
sections; and
Article 120. Correspondence with
6. Harboring or concealing violators of
law. Hostile Country
Elements
Article 118. Inciting to War or Giving
Motives for Reprisals 1. It is in time of war in which the
Philippines is involved;
Elements
2. Offender makes correspondence
1. Offender performs unlawful or with an enemy country or territory
unauthorized acts; occupied by enemy troops;
2. The acts provoke or give occasion for – 3. The correspondence is either –
a. a war involving or liable to a. prohibited by the

involve the Philippines; or government;
b. exposure of Filipino citizens b. carried on in ciphers or

to reprisals on their persons conventional signs; or
or property.
c. containing notice or
information which might be
Article 119. Violation of Neutrality useful to the enemy.
Elements
Article 121. Flight to Enemy's Country
1. There is a war in which the Philippines is
Elements
not involved;
1. There is a war in which the
2. There is a regulation issued by a Philippines is involved;
competent authority to enforce
neutrality; 2. Offender must be owing allegiance
to the government;
3. Offender violates the regulation.
3. Offender attempts to flee or go to
enemy country;
When we say national security, it should be
interpreted as including rebellion, sedition 4. Going to the enemy country is
and subversion. The Revised Penal Code prohibited by competent authority.
does not treat rebellion, sedition and
subversion as crimes against national
security, but more of crimes against public In crimes against the law of nations, the
order because during the time that the offenders can be prosecuted anywhere in
Penal Code was enacted, rebellion was the world because these crimes are
carried out only with bolos and spears; considered as against humanity in general,
like piracy and mutiny. Crimes against Originally, the crimes of piracy and mutiny
national security can be tried only in the can only be committed in the high seas, that
Philippines, as there is a need to bring the is, outside Philippine territorial waters. But
offender here before he can be made to in August 1974, Presidential Decree No.
suffer the consequences of the law. The 532 (The Anti-Piracy and Anti-Highway
acts against national security may be Robbery Law of 1974) was issued,
committed abroad and still be punishable punishing piracy, but not mutiny, in
under our law, but it can not be tried under Philippine territorial waters. Thus came
foreign law. about two kinds of piracy: (1) that which is
punished under the Revised Penal Code if
committed in the high seas; and (2) that
Article 122. Piracy in general and Mutiny which is punished under Presidential
on the High Seas or in Philippine Waters Decree No. 532 if committed in Philippine
territorial waters.
Actspunishedaspiracy
Amending Article 122, Republic Act No.
1. Attacking or seizing a vessel on the 7659 included therein piracy in Philippine
high seas or in Philippine waters;
waters, thus, pro tanto superseding
Presidential Decree No. 532. As amended,
2. Seizing in the vessel while on the
the article now punishes piracy, as well as
high seas or in Philippine waters the
mutiny, whether committed in the high seas
whole or part of its cargo, its
or in Philippine territorial waters, and the
equipment or personal belongings of
penalty has been increased to reclusion
its complement or passengers.
perpetua from reclusion temporal.
Elementsofpiracy
But while under Presidential Decree No.
532, piracy in Philippine waters could be
1. The vessel is on the high seas or committed by any person, including a
Philippine waters; passenger or member of the complement of
a vessel, under the amended article, piracy
2. Offenders are neither members of its can only be committed by a person who is
complement nor passengers of the not a passenger nor member of the
vessel; complement of the vessel irrespective of
venue. So if a passenger or complement of
3. Offenders either – the vessel commits acts of robbery in the
high seas, the crime is robbery, not piracy.
a. attack or seize a vessel on
the high seas or in Philippine Note, however, that in Section 4 of
waters; or Presidential Decree No. 532, the act of
aiding pirates or abetting piracy is penalized
b. seize in the vessel while on as a crime distinct from piracy. Said section
the high seas or in Philippine penalizes any person who knowingly and in
waters the whole or part of its any manner aids or protects pirates, such
cargo, its equipment or as giving them information about the
personal belongings of its movement of the police or other peace
complement or passengers; officers of the government, or acquires or
receives property taken by such pirates, or
4. There is intent to gain. in any manner derives any benefit
therefrom; or who directly or indirectly abets
the commission of piracy. Also, it is
expressly provided in the same section that
the offender shall be considered as an b. seize the whole or part of the

accomplice of the principal offenders and cargo, its equipment, or
punished in accordance with the Revised personal belongings of the
Penal Code. This provision of Presidential crew or passengers.
Decree No. 532 with respect to piracy in
Philippine water has not been incorporated
in the Revised Penal Code. Neither may it Mutiny is the unlawful resistance to a
be considered repealed by Republic Act No. superior officer, or the raising of
7659 since there is nothing in the commotions and disturbances aboard a
amendatory law is inconsistent with said ship against the authority of its commander.
section. Apparently, there is still the crime of
abetting piracy in Philippine waters under Distinction between mutiny and piracy
Presidential Decree No. 532.
(1) As to offenders
Considering that the essence of piracy is
one of robbery, any taking in a vessel with Mutiny is committed by members of
force upon things or with violence or the complement or the passengers
intimidation against person is employed will of the vessel.
always be piracy. It cannot co-exist with the
crime of robbery. Robbery, therefore, Piracy is committed by persons who
cannot be committed on board a vessel. are not members of the complement
But if the taking is without violence or or the passengers of the vessel.
intimidation on persons of force upon
things, the crime of piracy cannot be (2) As to criminal intent
committed, but only theft.
In mutiny, there is no criminal intent.
Questions & Answers In piracy, the criminal intent is for

gain.
Could theft be committed on board a
vessel? Article 123. Qualified Piracy
Yes. The essence of piracy is one of Elements
robbery.
1. The vessel is on the high seas or
Philippine waters:
Elementsofmutiny
1. The vessel is on the high seas or 2. Offenders may or may not be members
of its complement, or passengers of the
Philippine waters;
vessel;
2. Offenders are either members of its
3. Offenders either –
complement, or passengers of the
vessel;
a. attack or seize the vessel; or
3. Offenders either –
b. seize the whole or part of the
cargo, its equipment., or
a. attack or seize the vessel; or personal belongings of the
crew or passengers;
4. The preceding were committed under Republic Act No. 6235 (The Anti Hi-
any of the following circumstances: Jacking Law)
a. whenever they have seized a Anti hi-jacking is another kind of piracy

vessel by boarding or firing which is committed in an aircraft. In other
upon the same; countries, this crime is known as aircraft
piracy.
b. whenever the pirates have
abandoned their victims Four situations governed by anti hi-jacking
without means of saving law:
themselves; or
(1) usurping or seizing control of an
c. whenever the crime is aircraft of Philippine registry while it
accompanied by murder, is in flight, compelling the pilots
homicide, physical injuries or thereof to change the course or
rape. destination of the aircraft;
(2) usurping or seizing control of an

If any of the circumstances in Article123 is aircraft of foreign registry while
present, piracy is qualified. Take note of the within Philippine territory, compelling
specific crimes involve in number 4 c the pilots thereof to land in any part
(murder, homicide, physical injuries or of Philippine territory;
rape). When any of these crimes
accompany piracy, there is no complex (3) carrying or loading on board an
crime. Instead, there is only one crime aircraft operating as a public utility
committed – qualified piracy. Murder, rape, passenger aircraft in the Philippines,
homicide, physical injuries are mere any flammable, corrosive, explosive,
circumstances qualifying piracy and cannot or poisonous substance; and
be punished as separate crimes, nor can
they be complexed with piracy. (4) loading, shipping, or transporting on
board a cargo aircraft operating as a
Although in Article 123 merely refers to public utility in the Philippines, any
qualified piracy, there is also the crime of flammable, corrosive, explosive, or
qualified mutiny. Mutiny is qualified under poisonous substance if this was
the following circumstances: done not in accordance with the
rules and regulations set and
(1) When the offenders abandoned the promulgated by the Air
victims without means of saving Transportation Office on this matter.
themselves; or
Between numbers 1 and 2, the point of
(2) When the mutiny is accompanied by distinction is whether the aircraft is of
rape, murder, homicide, or physical Philippine registry or foreign registry. The
injuries. common bar question on this law usually
involves number 1. The important thing is
Note that the first circumstance which that before the anti hi-jacking law can apply,
qualifies piracy does not apply to mutiny. the aircraft must be in flight. If not in flight,
whatever crimes committed shall be
governed by the Revised Penal Code. The
law makes a distinction between aircraft of
a foreign registry and of Philippine registry.
If the aircraft subject of the hi-jack is of
Philippine registry, it should be in flight at the aircraft. But before they could do
the time of the hi-jacking. Otherwise, the anything on the aircraft, alert marshals
anti hi-jacking law will not apply and the arrested them. What crime was committed?
crime is still punished under the Revised
Penal Code. The correlative crime may be The criminal intent definitely is to
one of grave coercion or grave threat. If take control of the aircraft, which is hi-
somebody is killed, the crime is homicide or jacking. It is a question now of whether the
murder, as the case may be. If there are anti-hi-jacking law shall govern.
some explosives carried there, the crime is
destructive arson. Explosives are by nature The anti hi-jacking law is applicable
pyro-techniques. Destruction of property in this case. Even if the aircraft is not yet
with the use of pyro-technique is destructive about to fly, the requirement that it be in
arson. If there is illegally possessed or flight does not hold true when in comes to
carried firearm, other special laws will apply. aircraft of foreign registry. Even if the
problem does not say that all exterior doors
On the other hand, if the aircraft is of are closed, the crime is hi-jacking. Since
foreign registry, the law does not require the aircraft is of foreign registry, under the
that it be in flight before the anti hi-jacking law, simply usurping or seizing control is
law can apply. This is because aircrafts of enough as long as the aircraft is within
foreign registry are considered in transit Philippine territory, without the requirement
while they are in foreign countries. Although that it be in flight.
they may have been in a foreign country,
technically they are still in flight, because Note, however, that there is no hi-
they have to move out of that foreign jacking in the attempted stage. This is a
country. So even if any of the acts special law where the attempted stage is
mentioned were committed while the not punishable.
exterior doors of the foreign aircraft were
still open, the anti hi- jacking law will already 2. A Philippine Air Lines aircraft
govern. is bound for Davao. While the pilot and co-
pilot are taking their snacks at the airport
Note that under this law, an aircraft is lounge, some of the armed men were also
considered in flight from the moment all there. The pilots were followed by these
exterior doors are closed following men on their way to the aircraft. As soon as
embarkation until such time when the same the pilots entered the cockpit, they pulled
doors are again opened for disembarkation. out their firearms and gave instructions
This means that there are passengers that where to fly the aircraft. Does the anti hi-
boarded. So if the doors are closed to bring jacking law apply?
the aircraft to the hangar, the aircraft is not
considered as in flight. The aircraft shall be No. The passengers have yet to
deemed to be already in flight even if its board the aircraft. If at that time, the
engine has not yet been started. offenders are apprehended, the law will not
apply because the aircraft is not yet in flight.
Note that the aircraft is of Philippine registry.
Questions & Answers
3. While the stewardess of a
Philippine Air Lines plane bound for Cebu
1. The pilots of the Pan Am was waiting for the passenger manifest, two
aircraft were accosted by some armed men of its passengers seated near the pilot
and were told to proceed to the aircraft to fly surreptitiously entered the pilot cockpit. At
it to a foreign destination. The armed men gunpoint, they directed the pilot to fly the
walked with the pilots and went on board aircraft to the Middle East. However, before
the pilot could fly the aircraft towards the etc. Otherwise, the anti hi-jacking law does
Middle East, the offenders were subdued not apply.
and the aircraft landed. What crime was
committed? However, under Section 7, any physical
injury or damage to property which would
The aircraft was not yet in flight. result from the carrying or loading of the
Considering that the stewardess was still flammable, corrosive, explosive, or
waiting for the passenger manifest, the poisonous substance in an aircraft, the
doors were still open. Hence, the anti hi- offender shall be prosecuted not only for
jacking law is not applicable. Instead, the violation of Republic Act No. 6235, but also
Revised Penal Code shall govern. The for the crime of physical injuries or damage
crime committed was grave coercion or to property, as the case may be, under the
grave threat, depending upon whether or Revised Penal Code. There will be two
not any serious offense violence was prosecutions here. Other than this
inflicted upon the pilot. situation, the crime of physical injuries will
be absorbed. If the explosives were
However, if the aircraft were of planted in the aircraft to blow up the aircraft,
foreign registry, the act would already be the circumstance will qualify the penalty and
subject to the anti hi-jacking law because that is not punishable as a separate crime
there is no requirement for foreign aircraft to for murder. The penalty is increased under
be in flight before such law would apply. the anti hi-jacking law.
The reason for the distinction is that as long
as such aircraft has not returned to its home All other acts outside of the four are merely
base, technically, it is still considered in qualifying circumstances and would bring
transit or in flight. about higher penalty. Such acts would not
constitute another crime. So the killing or
explosion will only qualify the penalty to a
As to numbers 3 and 4 of Republic Act No. higher one.
6235, the distinction is whether the aircraft
is a passenger aircraft or a cargo aircraft.
In both cases, however, the law applies only
to public utility aircraft in the Philippines. Questions & Answers
Private aircrafts are not subject to the anti
hi-jacking law, in so far as transporting 1. In the course of the hi-jack, a
prohibited substances are concerned. passenger or complement was shot and
killed. What crime or crimes were
If the aircraft is a passenger aircraft, the committed?
prohibition is absolute. Carrying of any
prohibited, flammable, corrosive, or The crime remains to be a violation
explosive substance is a crime under of the anti hi-jacking law, but the penalty
Republic Act No. 6235. But if the aircraft is thereof shall be higher because a
only a cargo aircraft, the law is violated only passenger or complement of the aircraft
when the transporting of the prohibited had been killed. The crime of
substance was not done in accordance with homicide or murder is not committed.
the rules and regulations prescribed by the
Air Transportation Office in the matter of 2. The hi-jackers threatened to
shipment of such things. The Board of detonate a bomb in the course of the hi-
Transportation provides the manner of jack. What crime or crimes were
packing of such kind of articles, the quantity committed?
in which they may be loaded at any time,
Again, the crime is violation of the be held liable are only those acting under
anti hi-jacking law. The separate crime of supposed exercise of official functions,
grave threat is not committed. This is albeit illegally.
considered as a qualifying circumstance In its counterpart in Title IX (Crimes Against
that shall serve to increase the penalty. Personal Liberty and Security), the
offenders are private persons. But private
persons may also be liable under this title
TITLE II. CRIMES AGAINST THE as when a private person conspires with a
FUNDAMENTAL LAWS OF THE STATE public officer. What is required is that the
principal offender must be a public officer.
Thus, if a private person conspires with a
Crimesagainstthefundamentallawsofthe public officer, or becomes an accessory or
State accomplice, the private person also
becomes liable for the same crime. But a
1. Arbitrary detention (Art. 124); private person acting alone cannot commit
the crimes under Article 124 to 132 of this
2. Delay in the delivery of detained title.
persons to the proper judicial
authorities (Art. 125);
Article 124. Arbitrary Detention
3. Delaying release (Art. 126);
Elements
4. Expulsion (Art. 127);
1. Offender is a public officer or
5. Violation of domicile (Art. 128); employee;
6. Search warrants maliciously 2. He detains a person;
obtained and abuse in the service of
those legally obtained (Art. 129); 3. The detention is without legal
grounds.
7. Searching domicile without
witnesses (Art. 130);
Meaningofabsenceoflegalgrounds
8. Prohibition, interruption, and
dissolution of peaceful meetings 1. No crime was committed by the
(Art. 131); detained;
9. Interruption of religious worship (Art. 2. There is no violent insanity of the

132); and detained person; and
10. Offending the religious feelings (Art. 3. The person detained has no ailment
133); which requires compulsory
confinement in a hospital.
Crimes under this title are those which
violate the Bill of Rights accorded to the The crime of arbitrary detention assumes
citizens under the Constitution. Under this several forms:
title, the offenders are public officers, except
as to the last crime – offending the religious (1) Detaining a person without legal
feelings under Article 133, which refers to grounds under;
any person. The public officers who may
(2) Having arrested the offended party any public officer can commit this crime.
for legal grounds but without warrant Only those public officers whose official
of arrest, and the public officer does duties carry with it the authority to make an
not deliver the arrested person to arrest and detain persons can be guilty of
the proper judicial authority within this crime. So, if the offender does not
the period of 12, 18, or 36 hours, as possess such authority, the crime
the case may be; or committed by him is illegal detention. A
public officer who is acting outside the
(3) Delaying release by competent scope of his official duties is no better than a
authority with the same period private citizen.
mentioned in number 2.
Distinction between arbitrary detention and

illegal detention Questions & Answers
1. In arbitrary detention --
1. A janitor at the Quezon City
Hall was assigned in cleaning the men’s
The principal offender must be a
room. One day, he noticed a fellow
public officer. Civilians can commit
urinating so carelessly that instead of
the crime of arbitrary detention
urinating at the bowl, he was actually
except when they conspire with a
urinating partly on the floor. The janitor
public officer committing this crime,
resented this. He stepped out of the men’s
or become an accomplice or
room and locked the same. He left. The
accessory to the crime committed by
fellow was able to come out only after
the public officer; and
several hours when people from the outside
forcibly opened the door. Is the janitor liable
The offender who is a public officer
for arbitrary detention?
has a duty which carries with it the
authority to detain a person.
No. Even if he is a public officer, he
is not permitted by his official function to
2. In illegal detention --
arrest and detain persons. Therefore, he is
guilty only of illegal detention. While the
The principal offender is a private
offender is a public officer, his duty does not
person. But a public officer can
include the authority to make arrest; hence,
commit the crime of illegal detention
the crime committed is illegal detention.
when he is acting in a private
capacity or beyond the scope of his
2. A municipal treasurer has
official duty, or when he becomes an
been courting his secretary. However, the
accomplice or accessory to the
latter always turned him down. Thereafter,
crime committed by a private
she tried to avoid him. One afternoon, the
person.
municipal treasurer locked the secretary
inside their office until she started crying.
The offender, even if he is a public
The treasurer opened the door and allowed
officer, does not include as his
her to go home. What crime was
function the power to arrest and
committed?
detain a person, unless he conspires
with a public officer committing
Illegal detention. This is because
arbitrary detention.
the municipal treasurer has no authority to
detain a person although he is a public
Note that in the crime of arbitrary detention,
officer.
although the offender is a public officer, not
Distinction between arbitrary detention and

In a case decided by the Supreme Court a unlawful arrest
Barangay Chairman who unlawfully detains
another was held to be guilty of the crime of (1) As to offender
arbitrary detention. This is because he is a
person in authority vested with the In arbitrary detention, the offender is
jurisdiction to maintain peace and order a public officer possessed with
within his barangay. In the maintenance of authority to make arrests.
such peace and order, he may cause the
arrest and detention of troublemakers or In unlawful arrest, the offender may
those who disturb the peace and order be any person.
within his barangay. But if the legal basis
for the apprehension and detention does (2) As to criminal intent
not exist, then the detention becomes
arbitrary. In arbitrary detention, the main
reason for detaining the offended
Whether the crime is arbitrary detention or party is to deny him of his liberty.
illegal detention, it is necessary that there
must be an actual restraint of liberty of the In unlawful arrest, the purpose is to
offended party. If there is no actual accuse the offended party of a crime
restraint, as the offended party may still go he did not commit, to deliver the
to the place where he wants to go, even person to the proper authority, and
though there have been warnings, the crime to file the necessary charges in a
of arbitrary detention or illegal detention is way trying to incriminate him.
not committed. There is either grave or
light threat. When a person is unlawfully arrested, his
subsequent detention is without legal
However, if the victim is under guard in his grounds.
movement such that there is still restraint of
liberty, then the crime of either arbitrary or
illegal detention is still committed. Question & Answer
Question & Answer A had been collecting tong from

drivers. B, a driver, did not want to
contribute to the tong. One day, B was
The offended party was brought to a apprehended by A, telling him that he was
place which he could not leave because he driving carelessly. Reckless driving carries
does not know where he is, although free to with it a penalty of immediate detention and
move about. Was arbitrary or illegal arrest. B was brought to the Traffic Bureau
detention committed? and was detained there until the evening.
When A returned, he opened the cell and
Either arbitrary detention or illegal told B to go home. Was there a crime of
detention was committed. If a person is arbitrary detention or unlawful arrest?
brought to a safe house, blindfolded, even if
he is free to move as he pleases, but if he Arbitrary detention. The arrest of B
cannot leave the place, arbitrary detention was only incidental to the criminal intent of
or illegal detention is committed. the offender to detain him. But if after
putting B inside the cell, he was turned over
to the investigating officer who booked him
and filed a charge of reckless imprudence
against him, then the crime would be proper court before 12, 18 or 36 hours
unlawful arrest. The detention of the driver lapse. Otherwise he has to release the
is incidental to the supposed crime he did person arrested.
not commit. But if there is no supposed
crime at all because the driver was not Note that the period stated herein does not
charged at all, he was not given place include the nighttime. It is to be counted
under booking sheet or report arrest, then only when the prosecutor’s office is ready to
that means that the only purpose of the receive the complaint or information.
offender is to stop him from driving his
jeepney because he refused to contribute to This article does not apply if the arrest is
the tong. with a warrant. The situation contemplated
here is an arrest without a warrant.
Article 125. Delay in the Delivery of
Detained Persons to the Proper Judicial
Authorities Question & Answer
Elements Within what period should a police

officer who has arrested a person under a
1. Offender is a public officer or employee; warrant of arrest turn over the arrested
person to the judicial authority?
2. He detains a person for some legal
ground; There is no time limit specified
except that the return must be made within
3. He fails to deliver such person to the a reasonable time. The period fixed by law
proper judicial authorities within – under Article 125 does not apply because
the arrest was made by virtue of a warrant
a. 12 hour for light penalties; of arrest.
b. 18 hours for correctional

penalties; and When a person is arrested without a
warrant, it means that there is no case filed
c. 36 hours for afflictive or capital in court yet. If the arresting officer would
penalties. hold the arrested person there, he is
actually depriving the arrested of his right to
bail. As long as there is no charge in the
This is a form of arbitrary detention. At the court yet, the arrested person cannot obtain
beginning, the detention is legal since it is in bail because bail may only be granted by
the pursuance of a lawful arrest. However, the court. The spirit of the law is to have
the detention becomes arbitrary when the the arrested person delivered to the
period thereof exceeds 12, 18 or 36 hours, jurisdiction of the court.
as the case may be, depending on whether
the crime is punished by light, correctional If the arrest is by virtue of a warrant, it
or afflictive penalty or their equivalent. means that there is already a case filed in
court. When an information is filed in court,
The period of detention is 12 hours for light the amount of bail recommended is stated.
offenses, 18 hours for correctional offences The accused person is not really denied his
and 36 hours for afflictive offences, where right to bail. Even if he is interrogated in the
the accused may be detained without formal police precinct, he can already file bail.
charge. But he must cause a formal charge
or application to be filed with the
Note that delivery of the arrested person to the crime was committed, there was a
the proper authorities does not mean typhoon so the suspect could not be
physical delivery or turn over of arrested brought to Manila until three days later.
person to the court. It simply means putting Was there a violation of Article 125?
the arrested person under the jurisdiction of
the court. This is done by filing the There was a violation of Article 125.
necessary complaint or information against The crime committed was arbitrary
the person arrested in court within the detention in the form of delay in the delivery
period specified in Article 125. The purpose of arrested person to the proper judicial
of this is for the court to determine whether authority. The typhoon or flood is a matter
the offense is bailable or not and if bailable, of defense to be proved by the accused, the
to allow him the right to bail. arresting officer, as to whether he is liable.
In this situation, he may be exempt under
Under the Rule 114 of the Revised Rules of paragraph 7 of Article 12.
Court, the arrested person can demand
from the arresting officer to bring him to any
judge in the place where he was arrested Before Article 125 may be applied, it is
and post the bail here. Thereupon, the necessary that initially, the detention of the
arresting officer may release him. The judge arrested person must be lawful because the
who granted the bail will just forward the arrest is based on legal grounds. If the
litimus of the case to the court trying his arrest is made without a warrant, this
case. The purpose is in order to deprive the constitutes an unlawful arrest. Article 269,
arrested person of his right to post the bail. not Article 125, will apply. If the arrest is not
based on legal grounds, the arrest is pure
Under the Revised Rules of Court, when the and simple arbitrary detention. Article 125
person arrested is arrested for a crime contemplates a situation where the arrest
which gives him the right to preliminary was made without warrant but based on
investigation and he wants to avail his right legal grounds. This is known as citizen’s
to a preliminary investigation, he would arrest.
have to waive in writing his rights under
Article 125 so that the arresting officer will
not immediately file the case with the court Article 126. Delaying Release
that will exercise jurisdiction over the case. If
he does not want to waive this in writing, the Actspunished
arresting officer will have to comply with
Article 125 and file the case immediately in 1. Delaying the performance of a
court without preliminary investigation. In judicial or executive order for the
such case, the arrested person, within five release of a prisoner;
days after learning that the case has been
filed in court without preliminary 2. Unduly delaying the service of the
investigation, may ask for preliminary notice of such order to said prisoner;
investigation. In this case, the public officer
who made the arrest will no longer be liable 3. Unduly delaying the proceedings
for violation of Article 125. upon any petition for the liberation of
such person.
Question & Answer

Elements
The arrest of the suspect was done 1. Offender is a public officer or
in Baguio City. On the way to Manila, where employee;
committed by a public officer. If committed

2. There is a judicial or executive order by a private person, the crime is grave
for the release of a prisoner or coercion.
detention prisoner, or that there is a In Villavicencio v. Lukban, 39 Phil 778,
proceeding upon a petition for the the mayor of the City of Manila wanted to
liberation of such person; make the city free from prostitution. He
ordered certain prostitutes to be transferred
3. Offender without good reason delays to Davao, without observing due processes
– since they have not been charged with any
crime at all. It was held that the crime
a. the service of the notice of committed was expulsion.
such order to the prisoner;
b. the performance of such Questions & Answers

judicial or executive order for
the release of the prisoner; or
1. Certain aliens were arrested
c. the proceedings upon a and they were just put on the first aircraft
petition for the release of which brought them to the country so that
such person. they may be out without due process of law.
Was there a crime committed?
Article 127. Expulsion Yes. Expulsion.
Actspunished 2. If a Filipino citizen is sent out

of the country, what crime is committed?
1. Expelling a person from the
Philippines; Grave coercion, not expulsion,
because a Filipino cannot be deported.
2. Compelling a person to change his This crime refers only to aliens.
residence.
Article 128. Violation of Domicile

Elements
Actspunished
1. Offender is a public officer or employee;
1. Entering any dwelling against the will
2. He either – of the owner thereof;
a. expels any person from the 2. Searching papers or other effects

Philippines; or found therein without the previous
consent of such owner; or
b. compels a person to change
residence; 3. Refusing to leave the premises, after
having surreptitiously entered said
3. Offender is not authorized to do so by dwelling and after having been
law. required to leave the same
The essence of this crime is coercion but Commonelements

the specific crime is “expulsion” when
1. Offender is a public officer or the searching officer from securing a

employee; search warrant;
2. He is not authorized by judicial order (3) When the article seized is within
to enter the dwelling or to make a plain view of the officer making the
search therein for papers or other seizure without making a search
effects. therefore.
There are three ways of committing the

Circumstancesqualifyingtheoffense violation of Article 128:
1. If committed at nighttime; or (1) By simply entering the dwelling of
another if such entering is done
2. If any papers or effects not against the will of the occupant. In
constituting evidence of a crime are the plain view doctrine, public officer
not returned immediately after the should be legally entitled to be in the
search made by offender. place where the effects were found.
If he entered the place illegally and
he sawthe effects, doctrine
Under Title IX (Crimes against Personal inapplicable; thus, he is liable for
Liberty and Security), the corresponding violation of domicile.
article is qualified trespass to dwelling under
Article 280. Article 128 is limited to public (2) Public officer who enters with
officers. The public officers who may be consent searches for paper and
liable for crimes against the fundamental effects without the consent of the
laws are those who are possessed of the owner. Even if he is welcome in the
authority to execute search warrants and dwelling, it does not mean he has
warrants of arrests. permission to search.
Under Rule 113 of the Revised Rules of (3) Refusing to leave premises after
Court, when a person to be arrested enters surreptitious entry and being told to
a premise and closes it thereafter, the leave the same. The act punished is
public officer, after giving notice of an arrest, not the entry but the refusal to leave.
can break into the premise. He shall not be If the offender upon being directed
liable for violation of domicile. to eave, followed and left, there is no
crime of violation of domicile. Entry
There are only three recognized instances must be done surreptitiously; without
when search without a warrant is this, crime may be unjust vexation.
considered valid, and, therefore, the seizure But if entering was done against the
of any evidence done is also valid. Outside will of the occupant of the house,
of these, search would be invalid and the meaning there was express or
objects seized would not be admissible in implied prohibition from entering the
evidence. same, even if the occupant does not
direct him to leave, the crime of is
(1) Search made incidental to a valid already committed because it would
arrest; fall in number 1.
(2) Where the search was made on a
moving vehicle or vessel such that
the exigency of he situation prevents Questions & Answers
1. It was raining heavily. A

policeman took shelter in one person’s 1. Offender is a public officer or
house. The owner obliged and had his employee;
daughter serve the police some coffee. The
policeman made a pass at the daughter. 2. He has legally procured a
The owner of the house asked him to leave. search warrant;
Does this fall under Article 128?
3. He exceeds his authority or
No. It was the owner of the house uses unnecessary severity in
who let the policeman in. The entering is executing the same.
not surreptitious.
2. A person surreptitiously Article 130. Searching Domicile without

enters the dwelling of another. What crime Witnesses
or crimes were possibly committed?
Elements
The crimes committed are (1)
qualified trespass to dwelling under Article 1. Offender is a public officer or
280, if there was an express or implied employee;
prohibition against entering. This is
tantamount to entering against the will of 2. He is armed with search warrant
the owner; and (2) violation of domicile in legally procured;
the third form if he refuses to leave after
being told to. 3. He searches the domicile, papers or
other belongings of any person;
Article 129. Search Warrants Maliciously 4. The owner, or any members of his
Obtained, and Abuse in the Service of family, or two witnesses residing in
Those Legally Obtained the same locality are not present.
Actspunished
Crimes under Articles 129 and 130 are
1. Procuring a search warrant without referred to as violation of domicile. In these
just cause; articles, the search is made by virtue of a
valid warrant, but the warrant
Elements notwithstanding, the liability for the crime is
still incurred through the following situations:
employee; (1) Search warrant was irregularly
obtained – This means there was no
2. He procures a search probable cause determined in
warrant; obtaining the search warrant.
Although void, the search warrant is
3. There is no just cause. entitled to respect because of
presumption of regularity. One
remedy is a motion to quash the
2. Exceeding his authority or by using search warrant, not refusal to abide
unnecessary severity in executing a by it. The public officer may also be
search warrant legally procured. prosecuted for perjury, because for
him to succeed in obtaining a search
Elements warrant without a probable cause,
he must have perjured himself or

induced someone to commit perjury a. prohibiting or by interrupting,
to convince the court. without legal ground, the
holding of a peaceful
(2) The officer exceeded his authority meeting, or by dissolving the
under the warrant – To illustrate, let same;
us say that there was a pusher in a
condo unit. The PNP Narcotics b. hindering any person from
Group obtained a search warrant but joining any lawful
the name of person in the search association, or attending any
warrant did not tally with the address of its meetings;
stated. Eventually, the person with
the same name was found but in a c. prohibiting or hindering any
different address. The occupant person from addressing,
resisted but the public officer either alone or together with
insisted on the search. Drugs were others, any petition to the
found and seized and occupant was authorities for the correction
prosecuted and convicted by the trial of abuses or redress of
court. The Supreme Court acquitted grievances.
him because the public officers are
required to follow the search warrant
to the letter. They have no The government has a right to require a
discretion on the matter. Plain view permit before any gathering could be made.
doctrine is inapplicable since it Any meeting without a permit is a
presupposes that the officer was proceeding in violation of the law. That
legally entitled to be in the place being true, a meeting may be prohibited,
where the effects where found. interrupted, or dissolved without violating
Since the entry was illegal, plain Article 131 of the Revised Penal Code.
view doctrine does not apply.
But the requiring of the permit shall be in
(3) When the public officer employs exercise only of the government’s
unnecessary or excessive severity in regulatory powers and not really to prevent
the implementation of the search peaceful assemblies as the public may
warrant. The search warrant is not a desire. Permit is only necessary to regulate
license to commit destruction. the peace so as not to inconvenience the
public. The permit should state the day,
(4) Owner of dwelling or any member of time and the place where the gathering may
the family was absent, or two be held. This requirement is, therefore,
witnesses residing within the same legal as long as it is not being exercised in
locality were not present during the as a prohibitory power.
search.
If the permit is denied arbitrarily, Article 131
is violated. If the officer would not give the
Article 131. Prohibition, Interruption, permit unless the meeting is held in a
and Dissolution of Peaceful Meetings particular place which he dictates defeats
the exercise of the right to peaceably
Elements assemble, Article 131 is violated.
1. Offender is a public officer or employee; At the beginning, it may happen that the
assembly is lawful and peaceful. If in the
2. He performs any of the following acts: course of the assembly the participants
commit illegal acts like oral defamation or serious disturbance of any sort in a
inciting to sedition, a public officer or law public office, public building or even
enforcer can stop or dissolve the meeting. a private place where a public
The permit given is not a license to commit function is being held.
a crime.
There are two criteria to determine whether Article 132. Interruption of Religious
Article 131 would be violated: Worship
(1) Dangerous tendency rule – Elements
applicable in times of national unrest
such as to prevent coup d’etat. 1. Offender is a public officer or
employee;
(2) Clear and present danger rule –
applied in times of peace. Stricter 2. Religious ceremonies or
rule. manifestations of any religious are
about to take place or are going on;
Distinctions between prohibition,
interruption, or dissolution 3. Offender prevents or disturbs the
of peaceful meetings same.
under Article 131, and tumults and
other disturbances, under Article 153 Qualified if committed by violence or threat.
(1) As to the participation of the public

officer Article 133. Offending the Religious
Feelings
In Article 131, the public officer is
not a participant. As far as the Elements
gathering is concerned, the public
officer is a third party. 1. Acts complained of were performed
in a place devoted to religious
If the public officer is a participant of worship, or during the celebration of
the assembly and he prohibits, any religious ceremony;
interrupts, or dissolves the same,
Article 153 is violated if the same is 2. The acts must be notoriously
conducted in a public place. offensive to the feelings of the
faithful.
(2) As to the essence of the crime
There must be deliberate intent to hurt the
In Article 131, the offender must be feelings of the faithful.
a public officer and, without any
legal ground, he prohibits, interrupts,
or dissolves a peaceful meeting or TITLE III. CRIMES AGAINST PUBLIC
assembly to prevent the offended ORDER
party from exercising his freedom of
speech and that of the assembly to
petition a grievance against the Crimesagainstpublicorder
government.
1. Rebellion or insurrection (Art. 134);
In Article 153, the offender need not
be a public officer. The essence of
the crime is that of creating a
2. Conspiracy and proposal to commit 20. Delivering prisoners from jails (Art.
rebellion (Art. 136); 156);
3. Disloyalty to public officers or 21. Evasion of service of sentence (Art.
employees (Art. 137); 157);
4. Inciting to rebellion (Art. 138); 22. Evasion on occasion of disorders
(Art. 158);
5. Sedition (Art. 139);
23. Violation of conditional pardon (Art.
6. Conspiracy to commit sedition (Art. 159); and
141);
24. Commission of another crime during
7. Inciting to sedition (Art. 142); service of penalty imposed for
another previous offense (Art. 160).
8. Acts tending to prevent the meeting
of Congress and similar bodies (Art.
143);
Article 134. Rebellion or Insurrection
9. Disturbance of proceedings of
Congress or similar bodies (Art. Elements
144);
1. There is a public uprising and taking
arms against the government;
10. Violation of parliamentary immunity
(Art. 145);
2. The purpose of the uprising or
movement is –
11. Illegal assemblies (Art. 146);
a. to remove from the
12. Illegal associations (Art. 147);
allegiance to the government
or its laws Philippine territory
13. Direct assaults (Art. 148);
or any part thereof, or any
body of land, naval, or other
14. Indirect assaults (Art. 149);
armed forces;
15. Disobedience to summons issued by
or
Congress, its committees, etc., by
the constitutional commissions, its
b. to deprive the Chief
committees, etc. (Art. 150);
Executive or Congress,
wholly or partially, of any of
16. Resistance and disobedience to a
their powers or prerogatives.
person in authority or the agents of
such person (Art. 151);
The essence of this crime is a public
17. Tumults and other disturbances of uprising with the taking up of arms. It
public order (Art. 153); requires a multitude of people. It aims to
overthrow the duly constituted government.
18. Unlawful use of means of publication It does not require the participation of any
and unlawful utterances (Art. 154); member of the military or national police
organization or public officers and generally
19. Alarms and scandals (Art. 155); carried out by civilians. Lastly, the crime
can only be committed through force and

contributions, diverting funds for the lawful
violence.
purpose for which they have been
appropriated.
Rebellion and insurrection are not
Since a higher penalty is prescribed for the
synonymous. Rebellion is more frequently
crime of rebellion when any of the specified
used where the object of the movement is
acts are committed in furtherance thereof,
completely to overthrow and supersede the
said acts are punished as components of
existing government; while insurrection is
rebellion and, therefore, are not to be
more commonly employed in reference to a
treated as distinct crimes. The same acts
movement which seeks merely to effect
constitute distinct crimes when committed
some change of minor importance, or to
on a different occasion and not in
prevent the exercise of governmental
furtherance of rebellion. In short, it was
authority with respect to particular matters of
because Article 135 then punished said acts
subjects (Reyes, citing 30 Am. Jr. 1).
as components of the crime of rebellion that
precludes the application of Article 48 of the
Revised Penal Code thereto. In the eyes of
Rebellion can now be complexed with
common crimes. Not long ago, the the law then, said acts constitute only one
Supreme Court, in Enrile v. Salazar, 186 crime and that is rebellion. The Hernandez
SCRA 217, reiterated and affirmed the rule doctrine was reaffirmed in Enrile v. Salazar
laid down in People v. Hernandez, 99 Phil because the text of Article 135 has
515, that rebellion may not be complexed remained the same as it was when the
with common crimes which are committed Supreme Court resolved the same issue in
in furtherance thereof because they are the People v. Hernandez. So the Supreme
absorbed in rebellion. In view of said Court invited attention to this fact and thus
reaffirmation, some believe that it has been stated:
a settled doctrine that rebellion cannot be
complexed with common crimes, such as “There is a an apparent need to restructure
killing and destruction of property, the law on rebellion, either to raise the
committed on the occasion and in penalty therefore or to clearly define and
furtherance thereof. delimit the other offenses to be considered
absorbed thereby, so that it cannot be
This thinking is no longer correct; there is conveniently utilized as the umbrella for
no legal basis for such rule now. every sort of illegal activity undertaken in its
name. The court has no power to effect
The statement in People v. Hernandez that such change, for it can only interpret the
common crimes committed in furtherance of law as it stands at any given time, and what
rebellion are absorbed by the crime of is needed lies beyond interpretation.
rebellion, was dictated by the provision of Hopefully, Congress will perceive the need
Article 135 of the Revised Penal Code prior for promptly seizing the initiative in this
to its amendment by the Republic Act No. matter, which is purely within its province.”
6968 (An Act Punishing the Crime of Coup
D’etat), which became effective on October Obviously, Congress took notice of this
1990. Prior to its amendment by Republic pronouncement and, thus, in enacting
Act No. 6968, Article 135 punished those Republic Act No. 6968, it did not only
“who while holding any public office or provide for the crime of coup d’etat in the
employment, take part therein” by any of Revised Penal Code but moreover, deleted
these acts: engaging in war against the from the provision of Article 135 that portion
forces of Government; destroying property; referring to those –
committing serious violence; exacting
“…who, while holding any public office or necessary element or ingredient of the
employment takes part therein [rebellion or crime of rebellion with which the accused
insurrection], engaging in war against the was already convicted.
forces of government, destroying property
or committing serious violence, exacting However, in People v. Tiozon, 198 SCRA
contributions or diverting public funds from 368, it was held that charging one of illegal
the lawful purpose for which they have been possession of firearms in furtherance of
appropriated …” rebellion is proper because this is not a
charge of a complex crime. A crime under
Hence, overt acts which used to be the Revised Penal Code cannot be
punished as components of the crime of absorbed by a statutory offense.
rebellion have been severed therefrom by In People v. de Gracia, it was ruled that
Republic Act No. 6968. The legal illegal possession of firearm in furtherance
impediment to the application of Article 48 of rebellion under Presidential Decree No.
to rebellion has been removed. After the 1866 is distinct from the crime of rebellion
amendment, common crimes involving under the Revised Penal Code and,
killings, and/or destructions of property, therefore, Article 135 (2) of the Revised
even though committed by rebels in Penal Code should not apply. The offense
furtherance of rebellion, shall bring about of illegal possession of firearm is a malum
complex crimes of rebellion with prohibitum, in which case, good faith and
murder/homicide, or rebellion with robbery, absence of criminal intent are not valid
or rebellion with arson as the case may be. defenses.
To reiterate, before Article 135 was In People v. Lobedioro, an NPA cadre

amended, a higher penalty is imposed killed a policeman and was convicted for
when the offender engages in war against murder. He appealed invoking rebellion.
the government. "War" connotes anything The Supreme Court found that there was no
which may be carried out in pursuance of evidence shown to further the end of the
war. This implies that all acts of war or NPA movement. It held that there must be
hostilities like serious violence and evidence shown that the act furthered the
destruction of property committed on cause of the NPA; it is not enough to say it.
occasion and in pursuance of rebellion are
component crimes of rebellion which is why Rebellion may be committed even without a
Article 48 on complex crimes is single shot being fired. No encounter
inapplicable. In amending Article135, the needed. Mere public uprising with arms
acts which used to be component crimes of enough.
rebellion, like serious acts of violence, have
been deleted. These are now distinct Article 135, as amended, has two penalties:
crimes. The legal obstacle for the a higher penalty for the promoters, heads
application of Article 48, therefore, has been and maintainers of the rebellion; and a
removed. Ortega says legislators want to lower penalty for those who are only
punish these common crimes independently followers of the rebellion.
of rebellion. Ortega cites no case
overturning Enrile v. Salazar. Distinctions between rebellion and sedition
In People v. Rodriguez, 107 Phil. 569, it (1) As to nature

was held that an accused already convicted
of rebellion may not be prosecuted further In rebellion, there must be taking up
for illegal possession of firearm and or arms against the government.
ammunition, a violation of Presidential
Decree No. 1866, because this is a
In sedition, it is sufficient that the

The essence of the crime is a swift attack
public uprising be tumultuous.
upon the facilities of the Philippine
government, military camps and
(2) As to purpose
installations, communication networks,
public utilities and facilities essential to the
In rebellion, the purpose is always
continued possession of governmental
political.
powers. It may be committed singly or
collectively and does not require a multitude
In sedition, the purpose may be
of people. The objective may not be to
political or social. Example: the
overthrow the government but only to
uprising of squatters against Forbes
destabilize or paralyze the government
park residents. The purpose in
through the seizure of facilities and utilities
sedition is to go against established
essential to the continued possession and
government, not to overthrow it.
exercise of governmental powers. It
requires as principal offender a member of
When any of the objectives of rebellion is
the AFP or of the PNP organization or a
pursued but there is no public uprising in
public officer with or without civilian support.
the legal sense, the crime is direct assault
Finally, it may be carried out not only by
of the first form. But if there is rebellion,
force or violence but also through stealth,
with public uprising, direct assault cannot be
threat or strategy.
committed.
Personsliableforrebellion,insurrectionor
Article 134-A. Coup d' etat coup d' etat under Article 135
Elements 1. The leaders –
1. Offender is a person or persons a. Any person who promotes,
belonging to the military or police or maintains or heads a
holding any public office or rebellion or insurrection; or
employment;
b. Any person who leads,
2. It is committed by means of a swift directs or commands others
attack accompanied by violence, to undertake a coup d' etat;
intimidation, threat, strategy or
stealth; 2. The participants –
3. The attack is directed against the a. Any person who participates
duly constituted authorities of the or executes the commands
Republic of the Philippines, or any of others in rebellion,
military camp or installation, insurrection or coup d' etat;
communication networks, public
utilities or other facilities needed for b. Any person not in the
the exercise and continued government service who
possession of power; participates, supports,
finances, abets or aids in
4. The purpose of the attack is to seize undertaking a coup d' etat.
or diminish state power.
Article 136. Conspiracy and Proposal to
Commit Coup d' etat, Rebellion or
Insurrection
3. The inciting is done by means of

Conspiracy and proposal to commit speeches, proclamations, writings,
rebellion are two different crimes, namely: emblems, banners or other
1. Conspiracy to commit rebellion; and representations tending to the same
end.
2. Proposal to commit rebellion.
There is conspiracy to commit rebellion Distinction betweenincitingtorebellion and

when two or more persons come to an proposaltocommitrebellion
agreement to rise publicly and take arms
against government for any of the purposes 1. In both crimes, offender induces
of rebellion and decide to commit it. another to commit rebellion.
There is proposal to commit rebellion when 2. In proposal, the person who

the person who has decided to rise publicly proposes has decided to commit
and take arms against the government for rebellion; in inciting to rebellion, it is
any of the purposes of rebellion proposes its not required that the offender has
execution to some other person or persons. decided to commit rebellion.
3. In proposal, the person who

Article 137. Disloyalty of Public Officers proposes the execution of the crime
or Employees uses secret means; in inciting to
rebellion, the act of inciting is done
Actspunished publicly.
1. By failing to resist a rebellion by all

the means in their power; Article 139. Sedition
2. By continuing to discharge the duties Elements

of their offices under the control of
the rebels; or 1. Offenders rise publicly and tumultuously;
3. By accepting appointment to office 2. Offenders employ force, intimidation, or
under them. other means outside of legal methods;
Offender must be a public officer or
3. Purpose is to attain any of the following
employee.
objects:
a. To prevent the promulgation or

Article 138. Inciting to Rebellion or
execution of any law or the
Insurrection
holding of any popular election;
Elements
b. To prevent the national
government or any provincial or
1. Offender does not take arms or is
municipal government, or any
not in open hostility against the
public officer from exercising its
government;
or his functions or prevent the
execution of an administrative
2. He incites others to the execution of
order;
any of the acts of rebellion;
c. To inflict any act of hate or Article 142. Inciting to Sedition

revenge upon the person or
property of any public officer or Actspunished
employee;
1. Inciting others to the
d. To commit, for any political or accomplishment of any of the acts
social end, any act of hate or which constitute sedition by means
revenge against private persons of speeches, proclamations,
or any social classes; writings, emblems, etc.;
e. To despoil for any political or 2. Uttering seditious words or
social end, any person, speeches which tend to disturb the
municipality or province, or the public peace;
national government of all its
property or any part thereof. 3. Writing, publishing, or circulating
scurrilous libels against the
government or any of the duly
The crime of sedition does not contemplate constituted authorities thereof, which
the taking up of arms against the tend to disturb the public peace.
government because the purpose of this
crime is not the overthrow of the
government. Notice from the purpose of Elements
the crime of sedition that the offenders rise
publicly and create commotion ad 1. Offender does not take direct part in the
disturbance by way of protest to express crime of sedition;
their dissent and obedience to the
government or to the authorities concerned. 2. He incites others to the accomplishment
This is like the so-called civil disobedience of any of the acts which constitute
except that the means employed, which is sedition; and
violence, is illegal.
3. Inciting is done by means of speeches,
proclamations, writings, emblems,
Persons liable for sedition under Article 140 cartoons, banners, or other
representations tending towards the
1. The leader of the sedition; and same end.
2. Other person participating in the Only non-participant in sedition may be
sedition. liable.
Considering that the objective of sedition is

Article 141. Conspiracy to Commit to express protest against the government
Sedition
and in the process creating hate against
public officers, any act that will generate
In this crime, there must be an agreement
hatred against the government or a public
and a decision to rise publicly and
officer concerned or a social class may
tumultuously to attain any of the objects of
amount to Inciting to sedition. Article 142 is,
sedition.
therefore, quite broad.
There is no proposal to commit sedition.
The mere meeting for the purpose of
discussing hatred against the government is
inciting to sedition. Lambasting government
officials to discredit the government is

Inciting to sedition. But if the objective of
such preparatory actions is the overthrow of Article 145. Violation of Parliamentary
the government, the crime is inciting to Immunity
rebellion.
Actspunished
Article 143. Acts Tending to Prevent the 1. Using force, intimidation, threats, or
Meeting of the Congress of the frauds to prevent any member of
Philippines and Similar Bodies Congress from attending the
meetings of Congress or of any of its
Elements committees or subcommittees,
constitutional commissions or
1. There is a projected or actual committees or divisions thereof, or
meeting of Congress or any of its from expressing his opinion or
committees or subcommittees, casting his vote;
constitutional committees or
divisions thereof, or of any provincial Elements
board or city or municipal council or
board; 1. Offender uses force,
intimidation, threats or fraud;
2. Offender, who may be any person,
prevents such meetings by force or 2. The purpose of the offender
fraud. is to prevent any member of
Congress from –
Article 144. Disturbance of Proceedings a. attending
the meetings of the
Elements Congress or of any of
its committees or
1. There is a meeting of Congress or constitutional
any of its committees or commissions, etc.;
subcommittees, constitutional
commissions or committees or b. expressing his
divisions thereof, or of any provincial opinion; or
board or city or municipal council or
board; c. casting his vote.
2. Offender does any of the following 2. Arresting or searching any member
acts: thereof while Congress is in regular
or special session, except in case
a. He disturbs any of such such member has committed a
meetings; crime punishable under the Code by
a penalty higher than prision mayor.
b. He behaves while in the
presence of any such bodies Elements
in such a manner as to
interrupt its proceedings or to 1. Offender is a public officer of
impair the respect due it. employee;
2. He arrests or searches any

2. Any meeting in which the audience,
member of Congress;
whether armed or not, is incited to
the commission of the crime of
3. Congress, at the time of
treason, rebellion or insurrection,
arrest or search, is in regular
sedition, or assault upon person in
or special session;
authority or his agents.
4. The member arrested or
1. There is a meeting, a
searched has not committed
gathering or group of
a crime punishable under the
persons, whether in a fixed
Code by a penalty higher
place or moving;
than prision mayor.
2. The audience, whether
Under Section 11, Article VI of the
armed or not, is incited to the
Constitution, a public officer who arrests a
commission of the crime of
member of Congress who has committed a
treason, rebellion or
crime punishable by prision mayor (six
insurrection, sedition or direct
years and one day, to 12 years) is not liable
assault.
Article 145.
According to Reyes, to be consistent with

Personsliableforillegalassembly
the Constitution, the phrase "by a penalty
higher than prision mayor" in Article 145
1. The organizer or leaders of the
should be amended to read: "by the penalty meeting;
of prision mayor or higher."
2. Persons merely present at the
meeting, who must have a common
Article 146. Illegal Assemblies intent to commit the felony of illegal
assembly.
Actspunished
If any person present at the meeting carries
1. Any meeting attended by armed an unlicensed firearm, it is presumed that
persons for the purpose of the purpose of the meeting insofar as he is
committing any of the crimes concerned is to commit acts punishable
punishable under the Code; under the Revised Penal Code, and he is
considered a leader or organizer of the
Elements meeting.
1. There is a meeting, a
gathering or group of
persons, whether in fixed
place or moving;
2. The meeting is attended by

armed persons;
3. The purpose of the meeting

is to commit any of the
crimes punishable under the
Code.
The gravamen of the offense is mere association to engage in an unlawful

assembly of or gathering of people for purpose which is not limited to a violation of
illegal purpose punishable by the Revised the Revised Penal Code. It includes a
Penal Code. Without gathering, there is no violation of a special law or those against
illegal assembly. If unlawful purpose is a public morals. Meaning of public morals:
crime under a special law, there is no illegal inimical to public welfare; it has nothing to
assembly. For example, the gathering of do with decency., not acts of obscenity.
drug pushers to facilitate drug trafficking is
not illegal assembly because the purpose is
not violative of the Revised Penal Code but Article 147. Illegal Associations
of The Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972, as
amended, which is a special law. Illegalassociations
Two forms of illegal assembly 1. Associations totally or partially
organized for the purpose of
(1) No attendance of armed men, but committing any of the crimes
persons in the meeting are incited to punishable under the Code;
commit treason, rebellion or
insurrection, sedition or assault upon 2. Associations totally or partially
a person in authority. When the organized for some purpose contrary
illegal purpose of the gathering is to to public morals.
incite people to commit the crimes
mentioned above, the presence of
armed men is unnecessary. The Personsliable
mere gathering for the purpose is
sufficient to bring about the crime 1. Founders, directors and president of the
already. association;
(2) Armed men attending the gathering 2. Mere members of the association.
– If the illegal purpose is other than
those mentioned above, the
presence of armed men during the
gathering brings about the crime of Distinction between illegal association and
illegal assembly. illegalassembly
Example: Persons conspiring to rob 1. In illegal association, it is not

a bank were arrested. Some were necessary that there be an actual
with firearms. Liable for illegal meeting.
assembly, not for conspiracy, but for
gathering with armed men. In illegal assembly, it is necessary
that there is an actual meeting or
Distinction between illegal assembly and assembly or armed persons for the
illegal association purpose of committing any of the
crimes punishable under the Code,
In illegal assembly, the basis of liability is or of individuals who, although not
the gathering for an illegal purpose which armed, are incited to the commission
constitutes a crime under the Revised Penal of treason, rebellion, sedition, or
Code. assault upon a person in authority or
his agent.
In illegal association, the basis is the
formation of or organization of an 2. In illegal association, it is the act of
forming or organizing and
membership in the association that

1. Offender makes an attack,
are punished.
employs force, makes a
serious intimidation, or
In illegal assembly, it is the meeting
makes a serious resistance;
and attendance at such meeting that
are punished.
2. The person assaulted is a
person in authority or his
3. In illegal association, the persons
agent;
liable are (1) the founders, directors
and president; and (2) the members.
3. At the time of the assault, the
person in authority or his
In illegal assembly, the persons
agent is engaged in the
liable are (1) the organizers or
actual performance of official
leaders of the meeting and (2) the
duties, or that he is assaulted
persons present at meeting.
by reason of the past
performance of official duties;
Article 148. Direct Assault
4. Offender knows that the one
he is assaulting is a person
Actspunished
in authority or his agent in
the exercise of his duties.
1. Without public uprising, by
employing force or intimidation for
5. There is no public uprising.
the attainment of any of the
purposes enumerated in defining the
crimes of rebellion and sedition;
The crime is not based on the material
consequence of the unlawful act. The
Elements
crime of direct assault punishes the spirit of
lawlessness and the contempt or hatred for
1. Offender employs force or
the authority or the rule of law.
intimidation;
To be specific, if a judge was killed while he
2. The aim of the offender is to
was holding a session, the killing is not the
attain any of the purposes of
direct assault, but murder. There could be
the crime of rebellion or any
direct assault if the offender killed the judge
of the objects of the crime of
simply because the judge is so strict in the
sedition;
fulfillment of his duty. It is the spirit of hate
which is the essence of direct assault.
3. There is no public uprising.
So, where the spirit is present, it is always
2. Without public uprising, by attacking,
complexed with the material consequence
by employing force or by seriously
of the unlawful act. If the unlawful act was
intimidating or by seriously resisting
murder or homicide committed under
any person in authority or any of his
circumstance of lawlessness or contempt of
agents, while engaged in the
authority, the crime would be direct assault
performance of official duties, or on
with murder or homicide, as the case may
occasion of such performance.
be. In the example of the judge who was
killed, the crime is direct assault with
Elements
murder or homicide.
The only time when it is not complexed is duly recognized private schools, colleges
when material consequence is a light felony, and universities and lawyers in the actual
that is, slight physical injury. Direct assault performance of their duties or on the
absorbs the lighter felony; the crime of occasion of such performance, shall be
direct assault can not be separated from the deemed a person in authority.
material result of the act. So, if an offender
who is charged with direct assault and in In direct assault of the first form, the stature
another court for the slight physical Injury of the offended person is immaterial. The
which is part of the act, acquittal or crime is manifested by the spirit of
conviction in one is a bar to the prosecution lawlessness.
in the other.
In the second form, you have to distinguish
Example of the first form of direct assault: a situation where a person in authority or
his agent was attacked while performing
Three men broke into a National Food official functions, from a situation when he
Authority warehouse and lamented
is not performing such functions. If attack
sufferings of the people. They called on
was done during the exercise of official
people to help themselves to all the rice.
They did not even help themselves to a functions, the crime is always direct assault.
single grain. It is enough that the offender knew that the
person in authority was performing an
The crime committed was direct assault. official function whatever may be the reason
There was no robbery for there was no for the attack, although what may have
intent to gain. The crime is direct assault by happened was a purely private affair.
committing acts of sedition under Article
139 (5), that is, spoiling of the property, for On the other hand, if the person in authority
any political or social end, of any person or the agent was killed when no longer
municipality or province or the national performing official functions, the crime may
government of all or any its property, but simply be the material consequence of he
there is no public uprising. unlawful act: murder or homicide. For the
crime to be direct assault, the attack must
Person in authority is any person directly be by reason of his official function in the
vested with jurisdiction, whether as an past. Motive becomes important in this
individual or as a member of some court or respect. Example, if a judge was killed
government corporation, board, or while resisting the taking of his watch, there
commission. A barangay chairman is is no direct assault.
deemed a person in authority.
In the second form of direct assault, it is
Agent of a person in authority is any person also important that the offended party knew
who by direct provision of law or by election that the person he is attacking is a person
or by appointment by competent authority, in authority or an agent of a person in
is charged with the maintenance of public authority, performing his official functions.
order and the protection and security of life No knowledge, no lawlessness or contempt.
and property, such as a barangay For example, if two persons were quarreling
councilman, barrio policeman, barangay and a policeman in civilian clothes comes
leader and any person who comes to the and stops them, but one of the protagonists
aid of a person in authority. stabs the policeman, there would be no
direct assault unless the offender knew that
In applying the provisions of Articles 148 he is a policeman.
and 151, teachers, professors, and persons
charged with the supervision of public or In this respect it is enough that the offender
should know that the offended party was
exercising some form of authority. It is not Article 150. Disobedience to Summons

necessary that the offender knows what is Issued by Congress, Its Committees or
meant by person in authority or an agent of Subcommittees, by the Constitutional
one because ignorantia legis non excusat. Commissions, Its Committees,
Subcommittees or Divisions
Article 149. Indirect Assault Actspunished
Elements 1. By refusing, without legal excuse, to
obey summons of Congress, its
1. A person in authority or his agent is special or standing committees and
the victim of any of the forms of subcommittees, the Constitutional
direct assault defined in Article 148; Commissions and its committees,
subcommittees or divisions, or by
2. A person comes to the aid of such any commission or committee
authority or his agent;
chairman or member authorized to
summon witnesses;
3. Offender makes use of force or
intimidation upon such person
2. By refusing to be sworn or placed
coming to the aid of the authority or
under affirmation while being before
his agent.
such legislative or constitutional
body or official;
The victim in indirect assault should be a
3. By refusing to answer any legal
private person who comes in aid of an
inquiry or to produce any books,
agent of a person in authority. The assault
papers, documents, or records in his
is upon a person who comes in aid of the
possession, when required by them
person in authority. The victim cannot be
to do so in the exercise of their
the person in authority or his agent.
functions;
There is no indirect assault when there is no
4. By restraining another from
direct assault.
attending as a witness in such
Take note that under Article 152, as legislative or constitutional body;
amended, when any person comes in aid of
a person in authority, said person at that 5. By inducing disobedience to a
moment is no longer a civilian – he is summons or refusal to be sworn by
constituted as an agent of the person in any such body or official.
authority. If such person were the one
attacked, the crime would be direct assault.
Article 151. Resistance and
Disobedience to A Person in Authority or
Due to the amendment of Article 152,
the Agents of Such Person
without the corresponding amendment in
Article 150, the crime of indirect assault can
only be committed when assault is upon a Elements of resistance and serious
disobedienceunderthefirstparagraph
civilian giving aid to an agent of the person
in authority. He does not become another
1. A person in authority or his agent is
agent of the person in authority.
engaged in the performance of
official duty or gives a lawful order to
the offender;
2. Offender resists or seriously assault by resisting an agent of a

disobeys such person in authority or person in authority, there is force
his agent; employed, but the use of force in
resistance is not so serious, as there
3. The act of the offender is not is no manifest intention to defy the
included in the provision of Articles
law and the officers enforcing it.
148, 149 and 150.
The attack or employment of force
which gives rise to the crime of
Elements of simple disobedience underthe
direct assault must be serious and
secondparagraph
deliberate; otherwise, even a case of
simple resistance to an arrest, which
1. An agent of a person in authority is
always requires the use of force of
engaged in the performance of
some kind, would constitute direct
official duty or gives a lawful order to
assault and the lesser offense of
the offender;
resistance or disobedience in Article
151 would entirely disappear.
2. Offender disobeys such agent of a
person in authority;
But when the one resisted is a
person I authority, the use of any
3. Such disobedience is not of a
serious nature. kind or degree of force will give rise
to direct assault.
Distinction between resistance or serious If no force is employed by the

disobedienceanddirectassault offender in resisting or disobeying a
person in authority, the crime
1. In resistance, the person in authority committed is resistance or serious
or his agent must be in actual disobedience under the first
performance of his duties. paragraph of Article 151.
In direct assault, the person in

authority or his agent must be Who are deemed persons in authority and
engaged in the performance of agents of persons in authority under Article
official duties or that he is assaulted 152
by reason thereof.
A person in authority is one directly vested
2. Resistance or serious disobedience with jurisdiction, that is, the power and
is committed only by resisting or authority to govern and execute the laws.
seriously disobeying a person in
authority or his agent. An agent of a person in authority is one
charged with (1) the maintenance of public
Direct assault (the second form) is order and (2) the protection and security of
committed in four ways, that is, (1) life and property.
by attacking, (2) by employing force,
(3) by seriously intimidating, and (4)
by seriously resisting a persons in Examplesofpersonsinauthority
authority or his agent.
1. Municipal mayor;
3. In both resistance against an agent
of a person in authority and direct 2. Division superintendent of schools;
3. Public and private school teachers; For a crime to be under this article, it must
not fall under Articles 131 (prohibition,
4. Teacher-nurse; interruption, and dissolution of peaceful
meetings) and 132 (interruption of religious
5. President of sanitary division; worship).
6. Provincial fiscal; In the act of making outcry during speech
tending to incite rebellion or sedition, the
7. Justice of the Peace; situation must be distinguished from inciting
to sedition or rebellion. If the speaker, even
8. Municipal councilor; before he delivered his speech, already had
the criminal intent to incite the listeners to
9. Barrio captain and barangay rise to sedition, the crime would be inciting
chairman. to sedition. However, if the offender had no
such criminal intent, but in the course of his
speech, tempers went high and so the
Article 153. Tumults and Other speaker started inciting the audience to rise
Disturbances of Public Order in sedition against the government, the
crime is disturbance of the public order.
Actspunished
The disturbance of the pubic order is
1. Causing any serious disturbance in tumultuous and the penalty is increased if it
a public place, office or is brought about by armed men. The term
establishment; “armed” does not refer to firearms but
includes even big stones capable of causing
2. Interrupting or disturbing grave injury.
performances, functions or
gatherings, or peaceful meetings, if It is also disturbance of the public order if a
the act is not included in Articles 131 convict legally put to death is buried with
and 132; pomp. He should not be made out as a
martyr; it might incite others to hatred.
3. Making any outcry tending to incite
rebellion or sedition in any meeting,
association or public place; Article 154. Unlawful Use of Means of
Publication and Unlawful Utterances
4. Displaying placards or emblems
which provoke a disturbance of Actspunished
public order in such place;
1. Publishing or causing to be
5. Burying with pomp the body of a published, by means of printing,
person who has been legally lithography or any other means of
executed. publication, as news any false news
which may endanger the public
order; or cause damage to the
The essence is creating public disorder. interest or credit of the State;
This crime is brought about by creating
serious disturbances in public places, public 2. Encouraging disobedience to the law
buildings, and even in private places where or to the constituted authorities or
public functions or performances are being praising, justifying or extolling any
held. act punished by law, by the same
means or by words, utterances or

When a person discharges a firearm in
speeches;
public, the act may constitute any of the
possible crimes under the Revised Penal
3. Maliciously publishing or causing to
Code:
be published any official resolution
or document without proper
(1) Alarms and scandals if the firearm when
authority, or before they have been
discharged was not directed to any
published officially;
particular person;
4. Printing, publishing or distributing (or
(2) Illegal discharge of firearm under Article
causing the same) books,
254 if the firearm is directed or pointed
pamphlets, periodicals, or leaflets
to a particular person when discharged
which do not bear the real printer’s
but intent to kill is absent;
name, or which are classified as
anonymous.
(3) Attempted homicide, murder, or
parricide if the firearm when
Actual public disorder or actual damage to
the credit of the State is not necessary. discharged is directed against a
person and intent to kill is present.
Republic Act No. 248 prohibits the
reprinting, reproduction or republication of In this connection, understand that it is not
government publications and official necessary that the offended party be
documents without previous authority. wounded or hit. Mere discharge of firearm
towards another with intent to kill already
amounts to attempted homicide or
Article 155. Alarms and Scandals attempted murder or attempted parricide. It
can not be frustrated because the offended
Actspunished party is not mortally wounded.
1. Discharging any firearm, rocket, In Araneta v. Court of Appeals, it was held

firecracker, or other explosive within that if a person is shot at and is wounded,
any town or public place, calculated the crime is automatically attempted
to cause (which produces) alarm of homicide. Intent to kill is inherent in the use
danger; of the deadly weapon.
2. Instigating or taking an active part in The crime alarms and scandal is only one
any charivari or other disorderly crime. Do not think that alarms and
meeting offensive to another or scandals are two crimes.
prejudicial to public tranquility;
Scandal here does not refer to moral
scandal; that one is grave scandal in Article
3. Disturbing the public peace while
200. The essence of the crime is
wandering about at night or while disturbance of public tranquility and public
engaged in any other nocturnal peace. So, any kind of disturbance of
amusements; public order where the circumstance at the
time renders the act offensive to the
4. Causing any disturbance or scandal tranquility prevailing, the crime is
in public places while intoxicated or committed.
otherwise, provided Article 153 in not
applicable.
Charivari is a mock serenade wherein the In relation to infidelity in the custody of

supposed serenaders use broken cans, prisoners, correlate the crime of delivering
broken pots, bottles or other utensils person from jail with infidelity in the custody
thereby creating discordant notes. Actually, of prisoners punished under Articles 223,
it is producing noise, not music and so it 224 and 225 of the Revised Penal Code. In
also disturbs public tranquility. Understand both acts, the offender may be a public
the nature of the crime of alarms and officer or a private citizen. Do not think that
scandals as one that disturbs public infidelity in the custody of prisoners can only
tranquility or public peace. If the be committed by a public officer and
annoyance is intended for a particular delivering persons from jail can only be
person, the crime is unjust vexation. committed by private person. Both crimes
may be committed by public officers as well
Even if the persons involved are engaged in as private persons.
nocturnal activity like those playing patintero
at night, or selling balut, if they conduct their In both crimes, the person involved may be
activity in such a way that disturbs public a convict or a mere detention prisoner.
peace, they may commit the crime of
alarms and scandals. The only point of distinction between the
two crimes lies on whether the offender is
the custodian of the prisoner or not at the
Article 156. Delivering Prisoners from time the prisoner was made to escape. If
Jail the offender is the custodian at that time, the
crime is infidelity in the custody of prisoners.
Elements But if the offender is not the custodian of the
prisoner at that time, even though he is a
1. There is a person confined in a jail public officer, the crime he committed is
or penal establishment; delivering prisoners from jail.
2. Offender removes therefrom such Liability of the prisoner or detainee who
person, or helps the escape of such escaped – When these crimes are
person. committed, whether infidelity in the custody
of prisoners or delivering prisoners from jail,
Penalty of arresto mayor in its maximum the prisoner so escaping may also have
period to prision correccional in its minimum criminal liability and this is so if the prisoner
period is imposed if violence, intimidation or is a convict serving sentence by final
bribery is used. judgment. The crime of evasion of service
of sentence is committed by the prisoner
Penalty of arresto mayor if other means are who escapes if such prisoner is a convict
used. serving sentence by final judgment.
Penalty decreased to the minimum period if If the prisoner who escapes is only a
the escape of the prisoner shall take place detention prisoner, he does not incur liability
outside of said establishments by taking the from escaping if he does not know of the
guards by surprise. plan to remove him from jail. But if such
prisoner knows of the plot to remove him
from jail and cooperates therein by
escaping, he himself becomes liable for
delivering prisoners from jail as a principal
by indispensable cooperation.
If three persons are involved – a stranger, (1) By simply leaving or escaping from
the custodian and the prisoner – three the penal establishment under
crimes are committed: Article 157;
(1) Infidelity in the custody of prisoners; (2) Failure to return within 48 hours
after having left the penal
(2) Delivery of the prisoner from jail; and establishment because of a
calamity, conflagration or mutiny and
(3) Evasion of service of sentence. such calamity, conflagration or
mutiny has been announced as
already passed under Article 158;
Article 157. Evasion of Service of
Sentence (3) Violating the condition of conditional
pardon under Article 159.
Elements
In leaving or escaping from jail or prison,
1. Offender is a convict by final judgment; that the prisoner immediately returned is
immaterial. It is enough that he left the
2. He is serving sentence which consists in penal establishment by escaping therefrom.
the deprivation of liberty; His voluntary return may only be mitigating,
being analogous to voluntary surrender.
3. He evades service of his sentence by But the same will not absolve his criminal
escaping during the term of his liability.
imprisonment.
Article 158. Evasion of Service of

Qualifying circumstances as to penalty Sentence on the Occasion of Disorders,
imposed Conflagrations, Earthquakes, or Other
Calamities
If such evasion or escape takes place –
Elements
1. By means of unlawful entry (this
should be “by scaling” - Reyes); 1. Offender is a convict by final
judgment, who is confined in a penal
2. By breaking doors, windows, gates, institution;
walls, roofs or floors;
2. There is disorder, resulting from –
3. By using picklock, false keys,
disguise, deceit, violence or a. conflagration;
intimidation; or
b. earthquake;
4. Through connivance with other
convicts or employees of the penal c. explosion; or
institution.
d. similar catastrophe; or
Evasion of service of sentence has three e. mutiny in which he has not

forms: participated;
3. He evades the service of his

sentence by leaving the penal
institution where he is confined, on

the occasion of such disorder or The crime of evasion of service of sentence
during the mutiny; may be committed even if the sentence is
destierro, and this is committed if the
4. He fails to give himself up to the convict sentenced to destierro will enter the
authorities within 48 hours following prohibited places or come within the
the issuance of a proclamation by prohibited radius of 25 kilometers to such
the Chief Executive announcing the places as stated in the judgment.
passing away of such calamity.
If the sentence violated is destierro, the
penalty upon the convict is to be served by
The leaving from the penal establishment is way of destierro also, not imprisonment.
not the basis of criminal liability. It is the This is so because the penalty for the
failure to return within 48 hours after the evasion can not be more severe than the
passing of the calamity, conflagration or penalty evaded.
mutiny had been announced. Under Article
158, those who return within 48 hours are
given credit or deduction from the remaining Article 159. Other Cases of Evasion of
period of their sentence equivalent to 1/5 of Service of Sentence
the original term of the sentence. But if the
prisoner fails to return within said 48 hours, Elementsofviolationofconditionalpardon
an added penalty, also 1/5, shall be
imposed but the 1/5 penalty is based on the 1. Offender was a convict;
remaining period of the sentence, not on
the original sentence. In no case shall that 2. He was granted pardon by the Chief
penalty exceed six months. Executive;
Those who did not leave the penal 3. He violated any of the conditions of
establishment are not entitled to the 1/5 such pardon.
credit. Only those who left and returned
within the 48-hour period.
In violation of conditional pardon, as a rule,
The mutiny referred to in the second form of the violation will amount to this crime only if
evasion of service of sentence does not the condition is violated during the
include riot. The mutiny referred to here remaining period of the sentence. As a
involves subordinate personnel rising rule, if the condition of the pardon is
against the supervisor within the penal violated when the remaining unserved
establishment. One who escapes during a portion of the sentence has already lapsed,
riot will be subject to Article 157, that is, there will be no more criminal liability for the
simply leaving or escaping the penal violation. However, the convict maybe
establishment. required to serve the unserved portion of
the sentence, that is, continue serving
Mutiny is one of the causes which may original penalty.
authorize a convict serving sentence
in the penitentiary to leave the jail The administrative liability of the convict
provided he has not taken part in the under the conditional pardon is different and
mutiny. has nothing to do with his criminal liability
for the evasion of service of sentence in the
event that the condition of the pardon has
been violated. Exception: where the
violation of the condition of the pardon will
constitute evasion of service of sentence, years because in this case a new penalty is
even though committed beyond the imposed for the violation of the conditional
remaining period of the sentence. This is pardon.
when the conditional pardon expressly so
provides or the language of the conditional But if the remitted portion of the
pardon clearly shows the intention to make sentence exceeds six years, the violation of
the condition perpetual even beyond the the conditional pardon is not a substantive
unserved portion of the sentence. In such offense because no new penalty is imposed
case, the convict may be required to serve for the violation.
the unserved portion of the sentence even
though the violation has taken place when In other words, you have to qualify
the sentence has already lapsed. your answer.
In order that the conditional pardon may be The Supreme Court, however, has
violated, it is conditional that the pardonee ruled in the case of Angeles v. Jose that
received the conditional pardon. If he is this is not a substantive offense. This has
released without conformity to the been highly criticized.
conditional pardon, he will not be liable for
the crime of evasion of service of sentence.
Article 160. Commission of Another
Crime During Service of Penalty Imposed
for Another Previous Offense
Elements
Question & Answer 1. Offender was already convicted by

final judgment of one offense;
Is the violation of conditional pardon 2. He committed a new felony before

a substantive offense? beginning to serve such sentence or
while serving the same.
Under Article 159, there are two
situations provided:
TITLE IV. CRIMES AGAINST PUBLIC
(1) There is a penalty of prision INTEREST
correccional minimum for the
violation of the conditional pardon;
Crimesagainstpublicinterest
(2) There is no new penalty imposed for
the violation of the conditional 1. Counterfeiting the great seal of the
pardon. Instead, the convict will be Government of the Philippines (Art.
required to serve the unserved 161);
portion of the sentence.
2. Using forged signature or
If the remitted portion of the counterfeiting seal or stamp (Art.
sentence is less than six years or up to six 162);
years, there is an added penalty of prision
correccional minimum for the violation of 3. Making and importing and uttering
the conditional pardon; hence, the violation false coins (Art. 163);
is a substantive offense if the remitted
portion of the sentence does not exceed six
4. Mutilation of coins, importation and 18. Illegal use of uniforms or insignia

uttering of mutilated coins (Art. 164); (Art. 179);
5. Selling of false or mutilated coins, 19. False testimony against a defendant

without connivance (Art. 165); (Art. 180);
6. Forging treasury or bank notes or 20. False testimony favorable to the

other documents payable to bearer, defendant (Art. 181);
importing and uttering of such false
or forged notes and documents (Art. 21. False testimony in civil cases (Art.
166); 182);
7. Counterfeiting, importing and 22. False testimony in other cases and

uttering instruments not payable to perjury (Art. 183);
bearer (Art. 167);
23. Offering false testimony in evidence
8. Illegal possession and use of forged (Art. 184);
treasury or bank notes and other
instruments of credit (Art. 168); 24. Machinations in public auction (Art.
185);
9. Falsification of legislative documents
(Art. 170); 25. Monopolies and combinations in
restraint of trade (Art. 186);
10. Falsification by public officer,
employee or notary (Art. 171); 26. Importation and disposition of falsely
marked articles or merchandise

11. Falsification by private individuals made of gold, silver, or other
and use of falsified documents (Art. precious metals or their alloys (Art.
172); 187);
12. Falsification of wireless, cable, 27. Substituting and altering trade marks
telegraph and telephone messages and trade names or service marks
and use of said falsified messages (Art. 188);
(Art. 173);
28. Unfair competition and fraudulent
13. False medical certificates, false registration of trade mark or trade
certificates of merit or service (Art. name, or service mark; fraudulent
174); designation of origin, and false
description (Art. 189).
14. Using false certificates (Art. 175);
15. Manufacturing and possession of The crimes in this title are in the nature of
instruments or implements for fraud or falsity to the public. The essence
falsification (Art. 176); of the crime under this title is that which
defraud the public in general. There is
16. Usurpation of authority or official deceit perpetrated upon the public. This is
functions (Art. 177); the act that is being punished under this
title.
17. Using fictitious name and concealing
true name (Art. 178);
Article 161. Counterfeiting the Great

Seal of the Government of the Philippine Kinds of coins the counterfeiting of which is
Islands, Forging the Signature or Stamp punished
of the Chief Executive
1. Silver coins of the Philippines or
Actspunished coins of the Central Bank of the
Philippines;
1. Forging the great seal of the
Government of the Philippines; 2. Coins of the minor coinage of the
Philippines or of the Central Bank of
2. Forging the signature of the the Philippines;
President;
3. Coin of the currency of a foreign
3. Forging the stamp of the President. country.
Article 162. Using Forged Signature or Article 164. Mutilation of Coins

Counterfeit Seal or Stamp
Actspunished
Elements
1. Mutilating coins of the legal currency,
1. The great seal of the Republic was with the further requirements that
counterfeited or the signature or there be intent to damage or to
stamp of the Chief Executive was defraud another;
forged by another person;
2. Importing or uttering such mutilated
2. Offender knew of the counterfeiting
coins, with the further requirement
or forgery;
that there must be connivances with
the mutilator or importer in case of
3. He used the counterfeit seal or
uttering.
forged signature or stamp.
Offender under this article should not be the

forger. The first acts of falsification or falsity are – (1)
Counterfeiting – refers to money or

currency;
Article 163. Making and Importing and
Uttering False Coins
(2) Forgery – refers to instruments of
Elements credit and obligations and securities
issued by the Philippine government
1. There be false or counterfeited or any banking institution authorized
coins; by the Philippine government to
issue the same;
2. Offender either made, imported or
uttered such coins; (3) Falsification – can only be
committed in respect of documents.
3. In case of uttering such false or
counterfeited coins, he connived
with the counterfeiters or importers. In so far as coins in circulation are
concerned, there are two crimes that may
be committed:
Yes. It is not necessary that the coin

(1) Counterfeiting coins -- This is the be of legal tender. The provision punishing
crime of remaking or manufacturing counterfeiting does not require that the
without any authority to do so. money be of legal tender and the law
punishes this even if the coin concerned is
In the crime of counterfeiting, the law is not not of legal tender in order to discourage
concerned with the fraud upon the public people from practicing their ingenuity of
such that even though the coin is no longer imitating money. If it were otherwise,
legal tender, the act of imitating or people may at the beginning try their
manufacturing the coin of the government is ingenuity in imitating money not of legal
penalized. In punishing the crime of tender and once they acquire expertise,
counterfeiting, the law wants to prevent they may then counterfeit money of legal
people from trying their ingenuity in their tender.
imitation of the manufacture of money.
It is not necessary that the coin (2) Mutilation of coins -- This refers to
counterfeited be legal tender. So that even the deliberate act of diminishing the
if the coin counterfeited is of vintage, the proper metal contents of the coin
crime of counterfeiting is committed. The either by scraping, scratching or
reason is to bar the counterfeiter from filling the edges of the coin and the
perfecting his craft of counterfeiting. The offender gathers the metal dust that
law punishes the act in order to discourage has been scraped from the coin.
people from ever attempting to gain
expertise in gaining money. This is Requisites of mutilation under the Revised
because if people could counterfeit money Penal Code
with impunity just because it is no longer
legal tender, people would try to counterfeit(1) (1) Coin mutilated is of legal tender;
non-legal tender coins. Soon, if they
develop the expertise to make the (2) Offender gains from the precious
counterfeiting more or less no longer metal dust abstracted from the coin;
discernible or no longer noticeable, they and
could make use of their ingenuity to
counterfeit coins of legal tender. From that (3) It has to be a coin.
time on, the government shall have difficulty
determining which coins are counterfeited Mutilation is being regarded as a crime
and those which are not. It may happen because the coin, being of legal tender, it is
that the counterfeited coins may look better still in circulation and which would
than the real ones. So, counterfeiting is necessarily prejudice other people who may
penalized right at the very start whether the come across the coin. For example, X
coin is legal tender or otherwise. mutilated a P 2.00 coin, the octagonal one,
by converting it into a round one and
extracting 1/10 of the precious metal dust
Question & Answer from it. The coin here is no longer P2.00
but only P 1.80, therefore, prejudice to the
public has resulted.
X has in his possession a coin which
was legal tender at the time of Magellan and There is no expertise involved here. In
is considered a collector’s item. He mutilation of coins under the Revised Penal
manufactured several pieces of that coin. Is Code, the offender does nothing but to
the crime committed? scrape, pile or cut the coin and collect the
dust and, thus, diminishing the intrinsic

metal dust. However, under Presidential
value of the coin.
Decree No. 247, mutilation is not limited to
coins.
Mutilation of coins is a crime only if the coin
mutilated is legal tender. If the coin whose
metal content has been depreciated
through scraping, scratching, or filing the Questions & Answers
coin and the offender collecting the precious
metal dust, even if he would use the coin
1. The people playing cara y
after its intrinsic value had been reduced,
cruz, before they throw the coin in the air
nobody will accept the same. If it is not legal
would rub the money to the sidewalk
tender anymore, no one will accept it, so
thereby diminishing the intrinsic value of the
nobody will be defrauded. But if the coin is
coin. Is the crime of mutilation committed?
of legal tender, and the offender minimizes
or decreases the precious metal dust
Mutilation, under the Revised Penal
content of the coin, the crime of mutilation is
Code, is not committed because they do not
committed.
collect the precious metal content that is
being scraped from the coin. However, this
In the example, if the offender has collected
will amount to violation of Presidential
1/10 of the P 2.00 coin, the coin is actually
worth only P 1.80. He is paying only P1.80 Decree No. 247.
in effect defrauding the seller of P .20.
Punishment for mutilation is brought about 2. When the image of Jose
by the fact that the intrinsic value of the coin Rizal on a five-peso bill is transformed into
is reduced. that of Randy Santiago, is there a violation
of Presidential Decree No. 247?
The offender must deliberately reduce the
precious metal in the coin. Deliberate intent Yes. Presidential Decree No. 247 is
arises only when the offender collects the violated by such act.
precious metal dust from the mutilated coin.
If the offender does not collect such dust, 3. Sometime before martial law
intent to mutilate is absent, but Presidential was imposed, the people lost confidence in
Decree No. 247 will apply. banks that they preferred hoarding their
money than depositing it in banks. Former
President Ferdinand Marcos declared upon
Presidential Decree No. 247 declaration of martial law that all bills
(Defacement, Mutilation, Tearing, without the Bagong Lipunan sign on them
Burning or Destroying Central Bank will no longer be recognized. Because of
Notes and Coins) this, the people had no choice but to
surrender their money to banks and
It shall be unlawful for any person to willfully exchange them with those with the Bagong
deface, mutilate, tear, burn, or destroy in Lipunan sign on them. However, people
any manner whatsoever, currency notes who came up with a lot of money were also
and coins issued by the Central Bank. being charged with hoarding for which
reason certain printing presses did the
stamping of the Bagong Lipunan sign
Mutilation under the Revised Penal Code is themselves to avoid prosecution. Was there
true only to coins. It cannot be a crime a violation of Presidential Decree No. 247?
under the Revised Penal Code to mutilate
paper bills because the idea of mutilation Yes. This act of the printing presses
under the code is collecting the precious is a violation of Presidential Decree No.
247.
Revised Penal Code because the offender

4. An old woman who was a does not collect the metal dust. But by
cigarette vendor in Quiapo refused to rubbing the coins on the sidewalk, he also
accept one-centavo coins for payment of defaces and destroys the coin and that is
the vendee of cigarettes he purchased. punishable under Presidential Decree No.
Then came the police who advised her that 247.
she has no right to refuse since the coins
are of legal tender. On this, the old woman
accepted in her hands the one-centavo Article 165. Selling of False or Mutilated
coins and then threw it to the face of the Coin, without Connivance
vendee and the police. Was the old woman
guilty of violating Presidential Decree No. Actspunished
247?
1. Possession of coin, counterfeited or
She was guilty of violating mutilated by another person, with
Presidential Decree No. 247 because if no intent to utter the same, knowing
one ever picks up the coins, her act would that it is false or mutilated;
result in the diminution of the coin in
circulation. Elements
5. A certain customer in a 1. Possession;

restaurant wanted to show off and used a P
20.00 bill to light his cigarette. Was he 2. With intent to utter; and
guilty of violating Presidential Decree No.
247? 3. Knowledge.
He was guilty of arrested for 2. Actually uttering such false or
violating of Presidential Decree No. 247. mutilated coin, knowing the same to
Anyone who is in possession of defaced be false or mutilated.
money is the one who is the violator of
Presidential Decree No. 247. The intention Elements
of Presidential Decree No. 247 is not to
punish the act of defrauding the public but 1. Actually uttering; and
what is being punished is the act of
destruction of money issued by the Central
2. Knowledge.
Bank of the Philippines.
Note that persons making bracelets out of Article 166. Forging Treasury or Bank
some coins violate Presidential Decree No. Notes or Other Documents Payable to
247. Bearer; Importing and Uttering Such
False or Forged Notes and Documents
The primary purpose of Presidential Decree
No. 247 at the time it was ordained was to Actspunished
stop the practice of people writing at the
back or on the edges of the paper bills, 1. Forging or falsification of treasury or
such as "wanted: pen pal". bank notes or other documents
payable to bearer;
So, if the act of mutilating coins does not
involve gathering dust like playing cara y 2. Importation of such false or forged
cruz, that is not mutilation under the obligations or notes;
3. Uttering of such false or forged 1. By giving to a treasury or bank note or

obligations or notes in connivance
any instrument payable to bearer or to
with the forgers or importers.
order mentioned therein, the
appearance of a true and genuine
document;
Article 167. Counterfeiting, Importing,
and Uttering Instruments Not Payable to
2. By erasing, substituting,
Bearer
counterfeiting, or altering by any
means the figures, letters, words, or
Elements
sign contained therein.
1. There is an instrument payable to order
or other documents of credit not payable Forgery under the Revised Penal Code
to bearer; applies to papers, which are in the form of
obligations and securities issued by the
2. Offender either forged, imported or Philippine government as its own
uttered such instrument; obligations, which is given the same status
as legal tender. Generally, the word
3. In case of uttering, he connived with the “counterfeiting” is not used when it comes to
forger or importer. notes; what is used is “forgery.”
Counterfeiting refers to money, whether
Article 168. Illegal Possession and Use coins or bills.
of False Treasury or Bank Notes and
Other Instruments of Credit The Revised Penal Code defines forgery
under Article 169. Notice that mere change
Elements on a document does not amount to this
crime. The essence of forgery is giving a
1. Any treasury or bank note or document the appearance of a true and
certificate or other obligation and genuine document. Not any alteration of a
security payable to bearer, or any letter, number, figure or design would
instrument payable to order or other amount to forgery. At most, it would only be
document of credit not payable to frustrated forgery.
bearer is forged or falsified by
another person; When what is being counterfeited is
obligation or securities, which under the
2. Offender knows that any of those Revised Penal Code is given a status of
instruments is forged or falsified; money or legal tender, the crime committed
is forgery.
3. He either –
a. uses any of such forged or

falsified instruments; or Questions & Answers
b. possesses with intent to use 1. Instead of the peso sign (P),

any of such forged or falsified somebody replaced it with a dollar sign ($).
instruments. Was the crime of forgery committed?
No. Forgery was not committed.

How forgery is committed under Article 169 The forged instrument and currency note
must be given the appearance of a true and
genuine document. The crime committed is
a violation of Presidential Decree No. 247. paper and pressed it to the paper. After
Where the currency note, obligation or sometime, he removed it and it was
security has been changed to make it reproduced. He cut it out, scraped it a little
appear as one which it purports to be as and went to a sari-sari store trying to buy a
genuine, the crime is forgery. In checks or cigarette with that bill. What he overlooked
commercial documents, this crime is was that, when he placed the bill, the
committed when the figures or words are printing was inverted. He was apprehended
changed which materially alters the and was prosecuted and convicted of
document. forgery. Was the crime of forgery
committed?
2. An old man, in his desire to
earn something, scraped a digit in a losing The Supreme Court ruled that it was
sweepstakes ticket, cut out a digit from only frustrated forgery because although
another ticket and pasted it there to match the offender has performed all the acts of
the series of digits corresponding to the execution, it is not possible because by
winning sweepstakes ticket. He presented simply looking at the forged document, it
this ticket to the Philippine Charity could be seen that it is not genuine. It can
Sweepstakes Office. But the alteration is so only be a consummated forgery if the
crude that even a child can notice that the document which purports to be genuine is
supposed digit is merely superimposed on given the appearance of a true and genuine
the digit that was scraped. Was the old man document. Otherwise, it is at most
guilty of forgery? frustrated.
Because of the impossibility of Article 170. Falsification of Legislative
deceiving whoever would be the person to Documents
whom that ticket is presented, the Supreme
Court ruled that what was committed was Elements
an impossible crime. Note, however, that
the decision has been criticized. In a case 1. There is a bill, resolution or
like this, the Supreme Court of Spain ruled ordinance enacted or approved or
that the crime is frustrated. Where the pending approval by either House of
alteration is such that nobody would be the Legislature or any provincial
deceived, one could easily see that it is a board or municipal council;
forgery, the crime is frustrated because he
has done all the acts of execution which 2. Offender alters the same;
would bring about the felonious
consequence but nevertheless did not 3. He has no proper authority therefor;
result in a consummation for reasons
independent of his will. 4. The alteration has changed the
meaning of the documents.
3. A person has a twenty-peso
bill. He applied toothache drops on one
side of the bill. He has a mimeograph paper The words "municipal council" should
similar in texture to that of the currency note include the city council or municipal board –
and placed it on top of the twenty-peso bill Reyes.
and put some weight on top of the paper.
After sometime, he removed it and the
printing on the twenty-peso bill was The crime of falsification must involve a
reproduced on the mimeo paper. He took writing that is a document in the legal
the reverse side of the P20 bill, applied sense. The writing must be complete in
toothache drops and reversed the mimeo itself and capable of extinguishing an
obligation or creating rights or capable of 1. Offender is a public officer,

becoming evidence of the facts stated employee, or notary public;
therein. Until and unless the writing has
attained this quality, it will not be considered 2. He takes advantage of his official
as document in the legal sense and, position;
therefore, the crime of falsification cannot
be committed in respect thereto. 3. He falsifies a document by
committing any of the following acts:
Five classes of falsification:
a. Counterfeiting or imitating
(1) Falsification of legislative any handwriting, signature or
documents; rubric;
(2) Falsification of a document by a b. Causing it to appear that
public officer, employee or notary persons have participated in
public; any act or proceeding when
they did not in fact so
(3) Falsification of a public or official, or participate;
commercial documents by a private
individual; c. Attributing to persons who
have participated in an act or
(4) Falsification of a private document proceeding statements other
by any person; than those in fact made by
them;
(5) Falsification of wireless, telegraph
and telephone messages. d. Making untruthful statements
in a narration of facts;
Distinction between falsification and forgery:
e. Altering true dates;
Falsification is the commission of any of the
eight acts mentioned in Article 171 on
f. Making any alteration or
legislative (only the act of making
alteration), public or official, commercial, or intercalation in a genuine
private documents, or wireless, or telegraph document which changes its
messages. meaning;
The term forgery as used in Article 169 g. Issuing in an authenticated

refers to the falsification and counterfeiting form a document
of treasury or bank notes or any instruments purporting to be a copy of an
payable to bearer or to order. original document when no
such original exists, or
Note that forging and falsification are crimes including in such a copy a
under Forgeries. statement contrary to, or
different from, that of the
genuine original; or
Article 171. Falsification by Public
Officer, Employee or Notary or h. Intercalating any instrument
Ecclesiastical Minister or note relative to the
issuance thereof in a
Elements protocol, registry, or official
book.
4. In case the offender is an Crime committed is violation of

ecclesiastical minister who shall Article 176 (manufacturing and possession
commit any of the offenses of instruments or implements for
enumerated, with respect to any falsification). A cannot be charged of
record or document of such falsification because the booklet of
character that its falsification may residence certificates found in his
affect the civil status of persons. possession is not in the nature of
“document” in the legal sense. They are
mere forms which are not to be completed
For example, a customer in a hotel did not to be a document in the legal sense. This is
write his name on the registry book, which illegal possession with intent to use
was intended to be a memorial of those materials or apparatus which may be used
who got in and out of that hotel. There is no in counterfeiting/forgery or falsification.
complete document to speak of. The
document may not extinguish or create 2. Public officers found a traffic
rights but it can be an evidence of the facts violation receipts from a certain person.
stated therein. The receipts were not issued by the Motor
Vehicle Office. For what crime should he be
Note that a check is not yet a document prosecuted for?
when it is not completed yet. If somebody
writes on it, he makes a document out of it. It cannot be a crime of usurpation of
official functions. It may be the intention but
The document where a crime was no overt act was yet performed by him. He
committed or the document subject of the was not arrested while performing such
prosecution may be totally false in the overt act. He was apprehended only while
sense that it is entirely spurious. This he was standing on the street suspiciously.
notwithstanding, the crime of falsification is Neither can he be prosecuted for
committed. falsification because the document is not
completed yet, there being no name of any
It does not require that the writing be erring driver. The document remains to be
genuine. Even if the writing was through a mere form. It not being completed yet,
and through false, if it appears to be the document does not qualify as a
genuine, the crime of falsification is document in the legal sense.
nevertheless committed.
4. Can the writing on the wall be
considered a document?
Questions & Answers
Yes. It is capable of speaking of the
facts stated therein. Writing may be on
1. A is one of those selling anything as long as it is a product of the
residence certificates in Quiapo. He was handwriting, it is considered a document.
brought to the police precincts on suspicion
that the certificates he was selling to the 5. In a case where a lawyer
public proceed from spurious sources and tried to extract money from a spinster by
not from the Bureau of Treasury. Upon typing on a bond paper a subpoena for
verification, it was found out that the estafa. The spinster agreed to pay. The
certificates were indeed printed with a spinster went to the prosecutor’s office to
booklet of supposed residence certificates. verify the exact amount and found out that
What crime was committed? there was no charge against her. The lawyer
was prosecuted for falsification. He
REVISED ORTEGA LECTURE NOTES ON
contended that only a genuine document

could be falsified. Rule.
2. Falsification of private document by
any person;
As long as any of the acts of
falsification is committed, whether the
3. Use of falsified document.
document is genuine or not, the crime of
falsification may be committed. Even totally
false documents may be falsified.
Elementsunderparagraph1
1. Offender is a private individual or

There are four kinds of documents:
public officer or employee who did
not take advantage of his official
(1) Public document in the execution of
position;
which, a person in authority or
notary public has taken part;
2. He committed any act of falsification;
(2) Official document in the execution of
which a public official takes part; 3. The falsification was committed in a
public, official, or commercial
(3) Commercial document or any document or letter of exchange.
document recognized by the Code
of Commerce or any commercial
law; and Elementsunderparagraph2
(4) Private document in the execution of

which only private individuals take 1. Offender committed any of the acts of
part. falsification except Article 171(7), that is,
issuing in an authenticated form a
Public document is broader than the term document purporting to be a copy of an
official document. Before a document may original document when no such original
be considered official, it must first be a exists, or including in such a copy a
public document. But not all public statement contrary to, or different from,
documents are official documents. To that of the genuine original;
become an official document, there must be
a law which requires a public officer to issue 2. Falsification was committed in any
or to render such document. Example: A private document;
cashier is required to issue an official
receipt for the amount he receives. The 3. Falsification causes damage to a third
official receipt is a public document which is party or at least the falsification was
an official document. committed with intent to cause such
damage.
Article 172. Falsification by Private

Individual and Use of Falsified Elementsunderthelastparagraph
Documents
In introducing in a judicial proceeding –
Actspunished
1. Offender knew that the document was
falsified by another person;
1. Falsification of public, official or
commercial document by a private
individual; 2. The false document is in Articles 171 or
172 (1 or 2);
private corporation, engaged

3. He introduced said document in in the service of sending or
evidence in any judicial proceeding. receiving wireless, cable or
telephone message;
In use in any other transaction –
2. He falsifies wireless, cable,
1. Offender knew that a document was telegraph or telephone
falsified by another person; message.
2. The false document is embraced in 3. Using such falsified message.

Articles 171 or 172 (1 or 2);
Elements
3. He used such document;
1. Offender knew that wireless,
4. The use caused damage to another or cable, telegraph, or
at least used with intent to cause telephone message was
damage. falsified by an officer or
employee of the government
or an officer or employee of a
Article 173. Falsification of Wireless, private corporation, engaged
Cable, Telegraph and Telephone in the service of sending or
Messages, and Use of Said Falsified receiving wireless, cable or
Messages telephone message;
Actspunished 2. He used such falsified

dispatch;
1. Uttering fictitious wireless, telegraph
or telephone message; 3. The use resulted in the
prejudice of a third party or at
Elements least there was intent to
cause such prejudice.
1, Offender is an officer or
employee of the government
or an officer or employee of a Article 174. False Medical Certificates,
private corporation, engaged False Certificates of Merits or Service,
in the service of sending or Etc.
receiving wireless, cable or
telephone message; Personsliable
2. He utters fictitious wireless, 1. Physician or surgeon who, in connection

cable, telegraph or telephone with the practice of his profession,
message. issues a false certificate (it must refer to
the illness or injury of a person);
2. Falsifying wireless, telegraph or
telephone message; [The crime here is false medical
certificate by a physician.]
Elements
2. Public officer who issues a false
1, Offender is an officer or certificate of merit of service, good
employee of the government conduct or similar circumstances;
or an officer or employee of a
[The crime here is false certificate of

2. Possession with intent to use the
merit or service by a public officer.]
instruments or implements for
counterfeiting or falsification made in
3. Private person who falsifies a certificate or introduced into the Philippines by
falling within the classes mentioned in another person.
the two preceding subdivisions.
Article 177. Usurpation of Authority or

Article 175. Using False Certificates Official Functions
Elements Actspunished
1. The following issues a false 1. Usurpation of authority;

certificate:
Elements
a. Physician or surgeon, in
connection with the practice 1. Offender knowingly and
of his profession, issues a falsely represents himself;
false certificate;
2. As an officer, agent or
b. Public officer issues a representative of any
false certificate of department or agency of the
merit of service, good Philippine government or of
conduct or similar any foreign government.
circumstances;
2. Usurpation of official functions.
c. Private person
falsifies a certificate Elements
falling within the
classes mentioned in 1. Offender performs any act;
the two preceding
subdivisions. 2. Pertaining to any person in
authority or public officer of
2. Offender knows that the the Philippine government or
certificate was false; any foreign government, or
any agency thereof;
3. He uses the same.
3. Under pretense of official
position;
Article 176. Manufacturing and
Possession of Instruments or 4. Without being lawfully
Implements for Falsification entitled to do so.
Actspunished
Article 178. Using Fictitious Name and
1. Making or introducing into the Concealing True Name
Philippines any stamps, dies, marks,
or other instruments or implements Actspunished
for counterfeiting or falsification;
1. Using fictitious name
Elements
2. The insignia, uniforms or dress pertains
1. Offender uses a name other
to an office not held by such person or a
than his real name;
class of persons of which he is not a
member;
2. He uses the fictitious name
publicly;
3. Said insignia, uniform or dress is
used publicly and improperly.
3. Purpose of use is to conceal
a crime, to evade the
execution of a judgment or to
Wearing the uniform of an imaginary office
cause damage [to public
is not punishable.
interest – Reyes].
So also, an exact imitation of a uniform or
2. Concealing true name
dress is unnecessary; a colorable
resemblance calculated to deceive the
Elements
common run of people is sufficient.
1. Offender conceals his true
Article 180. False Testimony against A
name and other personal
Defendant
circumstances;
2. Purpose is only to conceal Elements

his identity.
1. There is a criminal proceeding;
Commonwealth Act No. 142 (Regulating 2. Offender testifies falsely under oath
the Use of Aliases) against the defendant therein;
No person shall use any name different from 3. Offender who gives false testimony
the one with which he was registered at knows that it is false.
birth in the office of the local civil registry, or
with which he was registered in the bureau 4. Defendant against whom the false
of immigration upon entry; or such testimony is given is either acquitted
substitute name as may have been or convicted in a final judgment.
authorized by a competent court.
Exception: Pseudonym solely for literary, Threeformsoffalsetestimony

cinema, television, radio, or other
entertainment and in athletic events where 1. False testimony in criminal cases
the use of pseudonym is a normally under Article 180 and 181;
accepted practice.
2. False testimony in civil case under
Article 182;
Article 179. Illegal Use of Uniforms or
Insignia 3. False testimony in other cases under
Article 183.
Elements
1. Offender makes use of insignia, Article 181. False Testimony Favorable

uniforms or dress; to the Defendant
Elements
4. The sworn statement or affidavit
1. A person gives false testimony; containing the falsity is required by law,
that is, it is made for a legal purpose.
2. In favor of the defendant;
3. In a criminal case. Article 184. Offering False Testimony in

Evidence
Article 182. False Testimony in Civil Elements
Cases
1. Offender offers in evidence a false
Elements witness or testimony;
1. Testimony given in a civil case; 2 He knows that the witness or the
testimony was false;
2. Testimony relates to the issues
presented in said case; 3. The offer is made in any judicial or
official proceeding.
3. Testimony is false;
4. Offender knows that testimony is false; Article 185. Machinations in Public

Auctions
5. Testimony is malicious and given with an
intent to affect the issues presented in Actspunished
said case.
1. Soliciting any gift or promise as a
consideration for refraining from
Article 183. False Testimony in Other taking part in any public auction;
Cases and Perjury in Solemn Affirmation
Elements
Actspunished
1. There is a public auction;
1. By falsely testifying under oath;
2. Offender solicits any gift or a
2. By making a false affidavit. promise from any of the
bidders;
Elementsofperjury 3. Such gift or promise is the
consideration for his
1. Offender makes a statement under oath refraining from taking part in
or executes an affidavit upon a material that public auction;
matter;
4. Offender has the intent to
2. The statement or affidavit is made cause the reduction of the
before a competent officer, authorized to price of the thing auctioned.
receive and administer oaths;
2. Attempting to cause bidders to stay
3. Offender makes a willful and deliberate away from an auction by threats,
assertion of a falsehood in the statement gifts, promises or any other artifice.
or affidavit;
Elements 2. In order to alter the prices

thereof by spreading false
1. There is a public auction; rumors or making use of any
other artifice;
2. Offender attempts to cause
the bidders to stay away from 3. To restrain free competition
that public auction; in the market
3. It is done by threats, gifts, 3. Manufacturer, producer, or
promises or any other processor or importer combining,
artifice; conspiring or agreeing with any
person to make transactions
4. Offender has the intent to prejudicial to lawful commerce or to
cause the reduction of the increase the market price of
price of the thing auctioned. merchandise.
Elements
Article 186. Monopolies and
Combinations in Restraint of Trade 1. Manufacturer, producer,
processor or importer of any
Actspunished merchandise or object of
commerce;
1. Combination to prevent free
competition in the market;
2. Combines, conspires or
agrees with any person;
Elements
3. Purpose is to make
1. Entering into any contract or
transactions prejudicial to
agreement or taking part in
lawful commerce or to
any conspiracy or
increase the market price of
combination in the form of a
any merchandise or object of
trust or otherwise;
commerce manufactured,
produced, processed,
2. In restraint of trade or
assembled or imported into
commerce or to prevent by
the Philippines.
artificial means free
competition in the market.
Article 187. Importation and Disposition
2. Monopoly to restrain free
of Falsely Marked Articles or
competition in the market;
Merchandise Made of Gold, Silver, or
Other Precious Metals of Their Alloys
Elements
Elements
1. By monopolizing any
merchandise or object of
1. Offender imports, sells or disposes
trade or commerce, or by
articles made of gold, silver, or other
combining with any other
precious metals or their alloys;
person or persons to
monopolize said
2. The stamps, brands, or marks of
merchandise or object;
those articles of merchandise fail to
indicate the actual fineness or

quality of said metals or alloys;
1. Unfair competition;
3. Offender knows that the stamps,
Elements
brands, or marks fail to indicate the
actual fineness or quality of the
1. By selling his goods;
metals or alloys.
2. Giving them the general
appearance of the goods of
Article 188. Substituting and Altering
another manufacturer or
Trademarks, Trade names, or Service
dealer;
Marks
3. The general appearance is
Actspunished
shown in the goods
themselves, or in the
1. Substituting the trade name or
wrapping of their packages,
trademark of some other
or in the device or words
manufacturer or dealer, or a
therein, or in any feature of
colorable imitation thereof for the
their appearance;
trade name or trademark of the real
manufacturer or dealer upon any
4. There is actual intent to
article of commerce and selling the
deceive the public or defraud
same;
a competitor.
2. Selling or offering for sale such
2. Fraudulent designation of origin;
articles of commerce knowing that
false description:
the trade name or trademark has
been fraudulently used;
Elements
3. Using or substituting the service
1. By affixing to his goods or
mark of some other person, or a
using in connection with his
colorable imitation of such mark n
services a false designation
the sale or advertising of his
of origin, or any false
services;
description or representation;
and
4. Printing, lithographing or
reproducing trade name, trademark, 2. Selling such goods or
or service mark of one person or a services.
colorable imitation thereof to enable
another person to fraudulently use 3. Fraudulent registration
the same knowing the fraudulent
purpose for which it is to be used. Elements
1. By procuring fraudulently
Article 189. Unfair Competition, from the patent office;
Fraudulent Registration of Trade Name,
Trademark, or Service Mark, Fraudulent 2. The registration of trade
Designation of Origin, and False name, trademark or service
Description mark
Actspunished
Republic Act No. 8293 (An Act in Subsection 155.1 or this subsection are
Prescribing the Intellectual Property committed regardless of whether there is
Code and Establishing the Intellectual actual sale of goods or services using the
Property Office, Providing for Its Power infringing material.
and Functions, and for Other Purposes)
Section 168. Unfair Competition,
Section 170. Penalties. – Rights, Regulation and Remedies.
Independent of the civil and administrative
sanctions imposed by law, a criminal 168.1. Any person who has
penalty of imprisonment from two (2) years identified in the mind of the public the goods
to five (5) years and a fine ranging from Fifty he manufactures or deals in, his business or
thousand pesos (P 50,000.00) to Two services from those of others, whether or
hundred thousand pesos (P 200,000.00), not a registered mark is employed, has a
shall be imposed on any person who is property right in the goodwill of the said
found guilty of committing any of the acts goods, business or service so identified,
mentioned in Section 155, Section 168 and which will be protected in the same manner
Subsection 169.1. as other property rights.
Section 155. Remedies; 168.2. Any person who shall employ
Infringement. – Any person who shall, deception or any other means contrary to
without the consent of the owner of the good faith by which he shall pass off the
registered mark: goods manufactured by him or in which he
deals, or his business, or services for those
155.1. Use in commerce any of the one having established such goodwill,
reproduction, counterfeit, copy, or colorable or who shall commit any acts calculated to
imitation of a registered mark or the same produce said result, shall be guilty of unfair
container or a dominant feature thereof in competition, and shall be subject to an
connection with the sale, offering for sale, action therefor.
distribution, advertising of any goods or
services including other preparatory steps 168.3. In particular, and without in
necessary to carry out the sale of any goods any way limiting the scope of protection
or services on or in connection with which against unfair competition, the following
such use is likely to course confusion, or to shall be deemed guilty of unfair competition:
cause mistake, or to deceive; or
(a) Any person, who is selling his
155.2. Reproduce, counterfeit, copy goods and gives them the general
or colorably imitate a registered mark or a appearance of goods of another
dominant feature thereof and apply such manufacturer or dealer, either as to the
reproduction, counterfeit, copy or colorable goods themselves or in the wrapping of the
imitation to labels, signs, prints, packages, packages in which they are contained, or
wrappers, receptacles or advertisement the devices or words thereon, on in any
intended to be used in commerce upon or in other feature or their appearance, which
connection with the sale, offering for sale, would be likely to influence purchasers to
distribution, or advertising of goods or believe that the goods offered are those of a
services on or in connection with which manufacturer or dealer, other than the
such use is likely to cause confusion, or to actual manufacturer or dealer, or who
cause mistake, or to deceive shall be liable otherwise clothes the goods with such
in a civil action for infringement by the appearance as shall deceive the public and
registrant for the remedies hereinafter set defraud another of his legitimate trade, or
forth: Provided, that the infringement takes any subsequent vendor of such goods or
place at the moment any of the acts stated
any agent of any vendor engaged in selling

such goods with a like purpose; or
TITLE V. CRIMES RELATIVE TO OPIUM
AND OTHER PROHIBITED DRUGS
(b) Any person who by any
artifice, or device, or who employs any other
means calculated to induce the false belief
Articles 190, 191, 192, 193 and194 of the
that such person is offering the services of
Revised Penal Code have been repealed by
another who ahs identified such services in
Republic Act No. 6425 (The Dangerous
the mind of the public; or
Drugs Act of 1972), as amended by
Presidential Decree No. 1683 and further
(c) Any person who shall make
amended by Republic Act No. 7659.
any false statement in the course of trade or
who shall commit any other act contrary to
good faith of a nature calculated to discredit
ActspunishedbytheRepublicActNo.6425
the goods, business or services of another.
168.4. The remedies provided by 1. Importation of prohibited drugs;

Section 156, 157 and 161 shall apply
mutatis mutandis. 2. Sale, administration, delivery,
distribution and transportation of
Section 169. False Designation or prohibited drugs;
Origin; False Description or Representation.
3. Maintenance of a den, dive or resort for
169.1. Any person who, on or in prohibited drug users;
connection with any goods or services, or
any container for goods, uses in commerce 4. Being employees and visitors of
any word, term, name, symbol, or device, or prohibited drug den;
any combination thereof, or any false
designation of origin, false or misleading 5. Manufacture of prohibited drugs;
description of fact, or false or misleading
representation of fact, which: 6. Possession or use of prohibited drugs;
(a) Is likely to cause confusion, 7. Cultivation of plants which are sources

or to cause mistake, or to deceive as to the of prohibited drugs;
affiliation, connection, or association of such
person with another person, or as to the 8. Failure to comply with the provisions of
origin, sponsorship, or approval of his or her the Act relative to the keeping of records
goods, services, or commercial activities by of prescriptions, sales, purchases,
another person; or acquisitions and/or deliveries of
prohibited drugs;
(b) In commercial advertising or
promotion, misrepresents the nature, 9. Unlawful prescription of prohibited
characteristics, qualities, or geographic drugs;
origin of his or her or another person's
goods, services or commercial activities, 10. Unnecessary prescription of prohibited
shall be liable to a civil action for damages drugs;
and injunction provided in Section 156 and
157 of this Act by any person who believes 11. Possession of opium pipe and other
that he or she is or likely to be damaged by paraphernalia for prohibited drugs;
such act.
12. Unauthorized importation, manufacture, percentage game, dog races,

sale administration, dispensation, or any other game or scheme
delivery, transportation, distribution, the results of which depend
possession or use of regulated drugs, wholly or chiefly upon chance
failure to comply with the provisions of or hazard; or wherein wagers
the Act relative to the keeping of records consisting of money, articles
of prescriptions, sales, purchases, of value, or representative of
acquisitions and/or deliveries, unlawful value are made; or
prescription, unnecessary prescription of
regulated drugs, and maintenance of a b. the exploitation or use of any
den, dive or resort for regulated drug other mechanical invention or
users. contrivance to determine by
chance the loser or winner of
money or any object or
TITLE VI. CRIMES AGAINST PUBLIC representative of value;
MORALS
2. Knowingly permitting any form of
gambling to be carried on in any
Crimesagainstpublicmorals place owned or controlled by the
offender;
1. Gambling (Art. 195);
3. Being maintainer, conductor, or
2. Importation, sale and possession of banker in a game of jueteng or
lottery tickets or advertisements (Art. similar game;
196);
4. Knowingly and without lawful
3. Betting in sport contests (Art. 197); purpose possessing lottery list,
paper, or other matter containing
4. Illegal betting on horse races (Art. 198); letters, figures, signs or symbol
which pertain to or are in any
5. Illegal cockfighting (Art. 199); manner used in the game of jueteng
or any similar game.
6. Grave scandal (Art. 200);
7. Immoral doctrines, obscene publications Article 196. Importation, Sale and

and exhibitions (Art. 201); and Possession of Lottery Tickets or
Advertisements
8. Vagrancy and prostitution (Art. 202).
Actspunished
Article 195. What Acts Are Punishable in 1. Importing into the Philippines from any
Gambling foreign place or port any lottery ticket or
advertisement; or
Actspunished
2. Selling or distributing the same in
1. Taking part directly or indirectly in – connivance with the importer;
a. any game of monte, jueteng, 3. Possessing, knowingly and with intent to

or any other form of lottery, use them, lottery tickets or
policy, banking, or advertisements; or
4. Selling or distributing the same without 3. Any registration or voting days (Republic
connivance with the importer of the Act No. 180, Revised Election Code);
same. and
4. Holy Thursday and Good Friday

Note that possession of any lottery ticket or (Republic Act No. 946).
advertisement is prima facie evidence of an
intent to sell, distribute or use the same in
the Philippines. Article 199. Illegal Cockfighting
This article has been modified or repealed

Article 197. Betting in Sport Contests by Presidential Decree No. 449 (The
Cockfighting Law of 1974):
This article has been repealed by
Presidential Decree No. 483 (Betting,
Only allows one cockpit per
Game-fixing or Point-shaving and
municipality, unless the population
Machinations in Sport Contests):
exceeds 100,000 in which case two
cockpits may be established;
Section 2. Betting, game-fixing,
point-shaving or game machination
Cockfights can only be held in
unlawful. – Game-fixing, point-shaving,
licensed cockpits on Sundays and
game machination, as defined in the
legal holidays and local fiestas for
preceding section, in connection with the
not more than three days;
games of basketball, volleyball, softball,
baseball; chess, boxing bouts, jai-alia, sipa,
pelota and all other sports contests, games Also allowed during provincial,
or races; as well as betting therein except as municipal, city, industrial, agricultural
may be authorized by law, is hereby fairs, carnivals, or exposition not
declared unlawful. more than three days;
Cockfighting not allowed on

Article 198. Illegal Betting on Horse December 30, June 12, November
Race 30, Holy Thursday, Good Friday,
Election or Referendum Day, and
Actspunished registration days for referendums
and elections;
1. Betting on horse races during periods
not allowed by law; Only municipal and city mayors are
allowed to issue licenses for such.
2. Maintaining or employing a totalizer or
other device or scheme for betting on
races or realizing profit therefrom during Presidential Decree No. 1602
the periods not allowed by law. (Simplifying and Providing Stiffer
Penalties for Violations of Philippine
Gambling Laws)
Whenhorseracesnotallowed
Section 1. Violations and Penalties.
-- The penalty of prision mayor in its
1. July 4 (Republic Act No. 137);
medium degree or a fine ranging from Five
Hundred Pesos to Two Thousand Pesos
2. December 30 (Republic Act No. 229); and in case of recidivism the penalty of
prision correccional in its medium degree or The penalty of prision mayor in its
a fine of ranging from One Thousand Pesos medium degree and temporary absolute
to Six Thousand Pesos shall be imposed disqualification and a fine of Six Thousand
upon: Pesos shall be imposed if the maintainer,
conductor or banker is a government official,
(a) Any person other than those or if a player, promoter, referee, umpire,
referred to in the succeeding subsection judge or coach in cases of game-fixing,
who in any manner, shall directly or point- shaving and other game machination.
indirectly take part in any game of
cockfighting, jueteng, bookies (jai- alai or The penalty of prision correccional
horse racing to include game fixing) and in its medium degree and a fine ranging
other lotteries, cara y cruz or pompiang and from Five Hundred pesos to Two Thousand
the like, black jack, lucky nine, “pusoy” or Pesos shall be imposed upon any person
Russian Poker, monte, baccarat and other who shall knowingly and without lawful
card games, palk que, domino, mahjong, purpose in any hour of any day shall have in
high and low, slot machines, roulette, pinball his possession any lottery list, paper, or
and other mechanical inventories or other matter containing letter, figures, signs
devices, dog racing, boat racing, car raising or symbols which pertain to or in any
and other races, basketball, volleyball, manner used in the game of jueteng, jai-alai
boxing, seven-eleven dice games and the or horse racing bookies and similar game or
like and other contests to include game lottery which has taken place or about to
fixing, point shaving and other machinations take place.
banking or percentage game, or any other
game or scheme, whether upon chance or Section 2. Barangay Official. –
skill, which do not have a franchise from the Any barangay official in whose jurisdiction
national government, wherein wagers such gambling house is found and which
consisting of money, articles of value of house has the reputation of a gambling
representative of value are made; place shall suffer the penalty of prision
correccional in its medium period and a fine
(b) Any person who shall ranging from Five Hundred to Two
knowingly permit any form of gambling Thousand Pesos and temporary absolute
referred to in the preceding subdivision to disqualifications.
be carried on in inhabited or uninhabited
places or any building, vessel or other
means of transportation owned or controlled While the acts under the Revised Penal
by him. If the place where gambling is Code are still punished under the new law,
carried on has a reputation of a gambling yet the concept of gambling under it has
place or that prohibited gambling is been changed by the new gambling law.
frequently carried on therein or the place is a
public or government building or barangay Before, the Revised Penal Code considered
hall, the culprit shall be punished by the the skill of the player in classifying whether
penalty provided for in its maximum period a game is gambling or not. But under the
and a fine of Six Thousand Pesos. new gambling law, the skill of the players is
immaterial.
The penalty of prision correccional
in its maximum degree and a fine of Six Any game is considered gambling where
Thousand Pesos shall be imposed upon the there are bets or wagers placed with the
maintainer, conductor of the above hope to win a prize therefrom.
gambling schemes.
Under this law, even sports contents like
boxing, would be gambling insofar as those
who are betting therein are concerned. and there is no need to prove that the game
Under the old penal code, if the skill of the was played on the date stated. If the
player outweighs the chance or hazard possessor was caught, chances are he will
involved in winning the game, the game is not go on with it anymore.
not considered gambling but a sport. It was
because of this that betting in boxing and There are two criteria as to when the lottery
basketball games proliferated. is in fact becomes a gambling game:
“Unless authorized by a franchise, any form 1. If the public is made to pay not only
of gambling is illegal.” So said the court in for the merchandise that he is
the recent resolution of the case against the buying, but also for the chance to
operation of jai-alai. win a prize out of the lottery, lottery
becomes a gambling game. Public
There are so-called parlor games which is made to pay a higher price.
have been exempted from the operation of
the decree like when the games are played 2. If the merchandise is not saleable
during a wake to keep the mourners awake because of its inferior quality, so that
at night. Pursuant to a memorandum the public actually does not buy
circular issued by the Executive Branch, the them, but with the lottery the public
offshoot of the exemption is the intentional starts patronizing such merchandise.
prolonging of the wake of the dead by In effect, the public is paying for the
gambling lords. lottery and not for the merchandise,
and therefore the lottery is a
As a general rule, betting or wagering gambling game. Public is not made
determines whether a game is gambling or to pay a higher price.
not. Exceptions: These are games which
are expressly prohibited even without bets. Illustrations:
Monte, jueteng or any form of lottery; dog
races; slot machines; these are habit- (1) A certain supermarket wanted to
forming and addictive to players, bringing increase its sales and sponsored a
about the pernicious effects to the family lottery where valuable prices are
and economic life of the players. offered at stake. To defray the cost
of the prices offered in the lottery,
Mere possession of lottery tickets or lottery the management increased their
lists is a crime punished also as part of prices of the merchandise by 10
gambling. However, it is necessary to make cents each. Whenever someone
a distinction whether a ticket or list refers to buys from that supermarket, he pays
a past date or to a future date. 10 cents more for each merchandise
and for his purchase, he gets a
Illustration: coupon which is to be dropped at
designated drop boxes to be raffled
X was accused one night and found in his on a certain period.
possession was a list of jueteng. If the date
therein refers to the past, X cannot be The increase of the price is to
convicted of gambling or illegal possession answer for the cost of the valuable
of lottery list without proving that such game prices that will be covered at stake.
was indeed played on the date stated. The increase in the price is the
Mere possession is not enough. If the date consideration for the chance to win
refers to the future, X can be convicted by in the lottery and that makes the
the mere possession with intent to use. lottery a gambling game.
This will already bring about criminal liability
But if the increase in prices of the only after the lottery or raffle, in
articles or commodities was not effect the public is paying for the
general, but only on certain items price not the product.
and the increase in prices is not the
same, the fact that a lottery is
sponsored does not appear to be Under this decree, a barangay captain who
tied up with the increase in prices, is responsible for the existence of gambling
therefore not illegal. dens in their own locality will be held liable
and disqualified from office if he fails to
Also, in case of manufacturers, you prosecute these gamblers. But this is not
have to determine whether the being implemented.
increase in the price was due to the
lottery or brought about by the Gambling, of course, is legal when
normal price increase. If the authorized by law.
increase in price is brought about by
the normal price increase [economic Fund-raising campaigns are not gambling.
factor] that even without the lottery They are for charitable purposes but they
the price would be like that, there is have to obtain a permit from Department of
no consideration in favor of the Social Welfare and Development. This
lottery and the lottery would not includes concerts for causes, Christmas
amount to a gambling game. caroling, and the like.
If the increase in the price is due
particularly to the lottery, then the Article 200. Grave Scandal
lottery is a gambling game. And the
sponsors thereof may be prosecuted Elements
for illegal gambling under
Presidential Decree No. 1602. 1. Offender performs an act or acts;
(2) The merchandise is not really 2. Such act or acts be highly scandalous
saleable because of its inferior
as offending against decency or good
quality. A certain manufacturer,
customs;
Bhey Company, manufacture
cigarettes which is not saleable
3. The highly scandalous conduct is not
because the same is irritating to the
expressly falling within any other article
throat, sponsored a lottery and a
of this Code; and
coupon is inserted in every pack of
cigarette so that one who buys it
shall have a chance to participate. 4. The act or acts complained of be
Due to the coupons, the public committed in a public place or within the
started buying the cigarette. public knowledge or view.
Although there was no price
increase in the cigarettes, the lottery
can be considered a gambling game In grave scandal, the scandal involved
because the buyers were really after refers to moral scandal offensive to
the coupons not the low quality decency, although it does not disturb public
cigarettes. peace. But such conduct or act must be
open to the public view.
If without the lottery or raffle, the
In alarms and scandals, the scandal
public does not patronize the
involved refers to disturbances of the public
product and starts to patronize them
tranquility and not to acts offensive to

(2) A man and a woman went to Luneta
decency.
and slept there. They covered
themselves their blanket and made
Any act which is notoriously offensive to
the grass their conjugal bed.
decency may bring about criminal liability
for the crime of grave scandal provided
This is grave scandal.
such act does not constitute some other
crime under the Revised Penal Code.
(3) In a certain apartment, a lady tenant
Grave scandal is a crime of last resort.
had the habit of undressing in her
room without shutting the blinds.
Distinction should be made as to the place
She does this every night at about
where the offensive act was committed,
eight in the evening. So that at this
whether in the public place or in a private
hour of the night, you can expect
place:
people outside gathered in front of
her window looking at her silhouette.
(1) In public place, the criminal liability
She was charged of grave scandal.
arises irrespective of whether the
Her defense was that she was doing
immoral act is open to the public
it in her own house.
view. In short public view is not
required.
It is no defense that she is doing it in
her private home. It is still open to
(2) When act offensive to decency is
the public view.
done in a private place, public view
or public knowledge is required.
(4) In a particular building in Makati
which stands right next to the house
Public view does not require numerous
of a young lady who goes
persons. Even if there was only one person
sunbathing in her poolside. Every
who witnessed the offensive act for as long
morning several men in the upper
as the third person was not an intruder,
floors would stick their heads out to
grave scandal is committed provided the act
get a full view of said lady while in
does not fall under any other crime in the
her two-piece swimsuit. The lady
Revised Penal Code.
was then charged with grave
scandal. Her defense was that it is
Illustrations:
her own private pool and it is those
men looking down at her who are
(1) A man and a woman enters a movie
malicious.
house which is a public place and
then goes to the darkest part of the
This is an act which even though
balcony and while there the man
done in a private place is
started performing acts of
nonetheless open to public view.
lasciviousness on the woman.
If it is against the will of the woman,

Article 201. Immoral Doctrines, Obscene
the crime would be acts of
Publications and Exhibitions and
lasciviousness. But if there is
Indecent Shows
mutuality, this constitutes grave
scandal. Public view is not
Actspunished
necessary so long as it is performed
in a public place.
1. Those who shall publicly expound or
proclaim doctrines openly contrary to
public morals;
country or the streets without visible

2. a. The authors of obscene means of support;
literature, published with their
knowledge in any form, the editors 3. Any idle or dissolute person who ledges
publishing such literature; and the in houses of ill fame;
owners/operators of the
establishment selling the same; 4. Ruffians or pimps and those who
habitually associate with prostitutes;
b. Those who, in theaters,
fairs, cinematographs, or any 5. Any person who, not being included in
other place, exhibit indecent or the provisions of other articles of this
immoral plays, scenes, acts, or Code, shall be found loitering in any
shows, it being understood that inhabited or uninhabited place belonging
the obscene literature or to another without any lawful or
indecent or immoral plays, justifiable purpose;
scenes, acts or shows, whether
live or in film, which are 6. Prostitutes, who are women who, for
proscribed by virtue hereof, money or profit, habitually indulge in
shall include those which: (1) sexual intercourse or lascivious
glorify criminals or condone conduct.
crimes; (2) serve no other
purpose but to satisfy the
market for violence, lust or Prostitutes are women who, for money or
pornography; (3) offend any profit, habitually indulge in sexual
race, or religion; (4) tend to intercourse or lascivious conduct, are
abet traffic in and use of deemed to be prostitutes.
prohibited drugs; and (5) are
contrary to law, public order, Test of Obscenity: Whether or not the
morals, good customs, established material charged as obscene has the
policies, lawful orders, decrees tendency to deprave and corrupt the minds
and edicts; and of those open to the influence thereof, or
into whose hands such material may come
3. Those who shall sell, give away, or to (Kottinger Rule).
exhibit films, prints, engravings,
sculptures, or literature which are The test is objective. It is more on the
offensive to morals. effect upon the viewer and not alone on the
conduct of the performer.
Article 202. Vagrants and Prostitutes; If the material has the tendency to deprave
Penalty and corrupt the mind of the viewer then the
same is obscene and where such obscenity
Vagrants is made publicly, criminal liability arises.
1. Any person having no apparent means Because there is a government body which
of subsistence, who has the physical deliberates whether a certain exhibition,
ability to work and who neglects to apply movies and plays is pornographic or not, if
himself or herself to some lawful calling; such body approves the work the same
should not be charged under this title.
2. Any person found loitering about public Because of this, the test of obscenity may
or semi-public buildings or places or be obsolete already. If allowed by the
trampling or wandering about the Movies and Television Review and
Classification Board (MTRCB), the question

appears that the fellow was selling a
is moot and academic.
ballpen where one who buys the ballpen
can peep into the top of the pen and see a
The law is not concerned with the moral of
girl dancing in it. He put up the defense
one person. As long as the pornographic
that he is not the manufacturer and that he
matter or exhibition is made privately, there
was merely selling it to earn a living. The
is no crime committed under the Revised
fact of selling the ballpen was being done at
Penal Code because what is protected is
the expense of public morals. One does not
the morality of the public in general. Third
have to be the manufacturer to be criminally
party is there. Performance of one to
liable. This holds true for those printing or
another is not.
selling Playboy Magazines.
Illustration:
The common concept of a vagrant is a
person who loiters n public places without
A sexy dancing performed for a 90 year old
any visible means of livelihood and without
is not obscene anymore even if the dancer
any lawful purpose.
strips naked. But if performed for a 15 year
old kid, then it will corrupt the kid’s mind.
While this may be the most common form of
(Apply Kottinger Rule here.)
vagrancy, yet even millionaires or one who
has more that enough for his livelihood can
In some instances though, the Supreme
commit vagrancy by habitually associating
Court did not stick to this test. It also
with prostitutes, pimps, ruffians, or by
considered the intention of the performer.
habitually lodging in houses of ill-repute.
In People v. Aparici, the accused was a
Vagrancy is not only a crime of the
performer in the defunct Pacific Theatre, a
privileged or the poor. The law punishes
movie house which opens only at midnight.
the act involved here as a stepping stone to
She was arrested because she was
the commission of other crimes. Without
dancing in a “different kind of way.” She
this article, law enforcers would have no
was not really nude. She was wearing
way of checking a person loitering in the
some sort of an abbreviated bikini with a
wrong place in the wrong time. The
flimsy cloth over it. However, on her waist
purpose of the law is not simply to punish a
hung a string with a ball reaching down to
person because he has no means of
her private part so that every time she
livelihood; it is to prevent further criminality.
gyrates, it arouses the audience when the
Use this when someone loiters in front of
ball would actually touch her private part.
your house every night.
The defense set up by Aparici was that she
should not be criminally liable for as a
Any person found wandering in an estate
matter of fact, she is better dressed than the
belonging to another whether public or
other dancers. The Supreme Court ruled
private without any lawful purpose also
that it is not only the display of the body that
commits vagrancy, unless his acts
gives it a depraved meaning but rather the
constitutes some other crime in the Revised
movement of the body coupled with the
Penal Code.
“tom-tom drums” as background. Nudity
alone is not the real scale. (Reaction Test)
Illustration: Question & Answer
A sidewalk vendor was arrested and

prosecuted for violation of Article 201. It If a person is found wandering in an
estate belonging to another, whether public
or private, without any lawful purpose, what or solicitors of clients are guilty of the crime
other crimes may be committed? under Article 341 for white slavery.
When a person is apprehended
loitering inside an estate belonging to TITLE VII. CRIMES COMMITTED BY
another, the following crimes may be PUBLIC OFFICERS
committed:
Crimescommittedbypublicofficers
(1) Trespass to property under Article
281 if the estate is fenced and there 1. Knowingly rendering unjust
is a clear prohibition against judgment (Art. 204);
entering, but the offender entered

without the consent of the owner or 2. Judgment rendered through
overseer thereof. What is referred negligence (Art. 205);
to here is estate, not dwelling.
3. Unjust interlocutory order (Art. 206);
(2) Attempted theft under Article 308,
paragraph 3, if the estate is fenced 4. Malicious delay in the administration
and the offender entered the same of justice (Art. 207);
to hunt therein or fish from any
waters therein or to gather any farm 5. Prosecution of offenses; negligence
products therein without the consent and tolerance (Art. 208);
of the owner or overseer thereof;
6. Betrayal of trust by an attorney or
(3) Vagrancy under Article 202 if the solicitor – Revelation of secrets (Art.
estate is not fenced or there is no 209);
clear prohibition against entering.
7. Direct bribery (Art. 210);
Prostitution and vagrancy are both 8. Indirect bribery (Art. 211);

punished by the same article, but
prostitution can only be committed by a 9. Qualified bribery (Art. 211-A);
woman.
10. Corruption of public officials (Art.
The term prostitution is applicable to a 212);
woman who for profit or money habitually
engages in sexual or lascivious conduct. A 11. Frauds against the public treasury
man if he engages in the same conduct – and similar offenses (Art. 213);
sex for money – is not a prostitute, but a
vagrant. 12. Other frauds (Art. 214);
In law the mere indulging in lascivious 13. Prohibited transactions (Art. 215);
conduct habitually because of money or
gain would amount to prostitution, even if 14. Possession of prohibited interest by
there is no sexual intercourse. Virginity is a public officer (Art. 216);
not a defense. Habituality is the controlling
factor; is has to be more than one time. 15. Malversation of public funds or
property – Presumption of
There cannot be prostitution by conspiracy. malversation (Art. 217)
One who conspires with a woman in the
prostitution business like pimps, taxi drivers
16. Failure of accountable officer to 33. Anticipation of duties of a public

render accounts (Art. 218); office (Art. 236);
17. Failure of a responsible public officer 34. Prolonging performance of duties
to render accounts before leaving and powers (Art. 237);
the country (Art. 219);
35. Abandonment of office or position
18. Illegal use of public funds or property (Art. 238);
(Art. 220);
36. Usurpation of legislative powers (Art.
19. Failure to make delivery of public 239);
funds or property (Art. 221);
37. Usurpation of executive functions
20. Conniving with or consenting to (Art. 240);
evasion (Art. 223);
38. Usurpation of judicial functions (Art.
21. Evasion through negligence (Art. 241);
224);
39. Disobeying request for
22. Escape of prisoner under the disqualification (Art. 242);
custody of a person not a public
officer (Art. 225); 40. Orders or requests by executive
officers to any judicial authority (Art.
23. Removal, concealment or 243);
destruction of documents (Art. 226);
41. Unlawful appointments (Art. 244);
24. Officer breaking seal (Art. 227); and
25. Opening of closed documents (Art. 42. Abuses against chastity (Art. 245).
228);
26. Revelation of secrets by an officer The designation of the title is misleading.

(Art. 229); Crimes under this title can be committed by
public officers or a non-public officer, when
27. Public officer revealing secrets of the latter become a conspirator with a
private individual (Art. 230); public officer, or an accomplice, or
accessory to the crime. The public officer
28. Open disobedience (Art. 231); has to be the principal.
29. Disobedience to order of superior In some cases, it can even be committed by

officer when said order was a private citizen alone such as in Article 275
suspended by inferior officer (Art. (infidelity in the custody of a prisoner where
232); the offender is not a public officer) or in
Article 222 (malversation).
30. Refusal of assistance (Art. 233);
31. Refusal to discharge elective office Requsites to be a public officer under

(Art. 234); Article203
32. Maltreatment of prisoners (Art. 235); 1. Taking part in the performance of

public functions in the government;
(2) Misfeasance - when a public officer

or performs official acts in the manner
not in accordance with what the law
Performing in said government or in prescribes.
any of its branches public duties as
an employee, agent or subordinate (3) Nonfeasance - when a public officer
official, or any rank or class; willfully refrains or refuses to
perform an official duty which his
2. His authority to take part in the office requires him to perform.
performance of public functions or to
perform public duties must be –
Article 204. Knowingly Rendering Unjust
Judgment
a. By direct provision of the law;
1. Offender is a judge;
b. By popular election; or
2. He renders a judgment in a case
c. By appointment by submitted to him for decision;
competent authority.
3. Judgment is unjust;
Originally, Title VII used the phrase “public 4. The judge knows that his judgment is
officer or employee” but the latter word has unjust .
been held meaningless and useless
because in criminal law, “public officer”
covers all public servants, whether an Article 205. Judgment Rendered through
official or an employee, from the highest to Negligence
the lowest position regardless of rank or
class; whether appointed by competent 1. Offender is a judge;
authority or by popular election or by direct
provision of law. 2. He renders a judgment in a case
submitted to him for decision;
Under Republic Act No. 3019 (The Anti-
Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), the term 3. The judgment is manifestly unjust;
public officer is broader and more
comprehensive because it includes all 4. It is due to his inexcusable negligence or
persons whether an official or an employee, ignorance.
temporary or not, classified or not,
contractual or otherwise. Any person who
receives compensation for services Article 206. Unjust Interlocutory Order
rendered is a public officer.
Breach of oath of office partakes of three

forms:
2. He performs any of the following acts:
(1) Malfeasance - when a public officer
performs in his public office an act a. Knowingly rendering an
prohibited by law. unjust interlocutory order or
decree; or
Example: bribery.
b. Rendering a manifestly
unjust interlocutory order or Article 208. Prosecution of Offenses;
decree through inexcusable Negligence and Tolerance
negligence or ignorance.
ActsPunished
The crime of knowingly rendering an unjust 1. Maliciously refraining from instituting
judgment, or knowingly issuing an unjust prosecution against violators of the
interlocutory order, may be committed only law;
by a judge of a trial court and never of an
appellate court. The reason for this is that 2. Maliciously tolerating the
in appellate court, not only one magistrate commission of offenses.
renders or issues the interlocutory order.
An appellate court functions as a division
and the resolutions thereof are handed Elements of dereliction of duty in the
down only after deliberations among the prosecutionofoffenses
members of a division so that it cannot be
said that there is malice or inexcusable 1. Offender is a public officer or officer of
negligence or ignorance in the rendering of the law who has a duty to cause the
a judgment or order that is supposedly prosecution of, or to prosecute,
unjust as held by the Supreme Court in one offenses;
administrative case.
2. There is a dereliction of the duties of his
There is more injustice done in cases of office, that is, knowing the commission
judgment than mere interlocutory order that of the crime, he does not cause the
is why the penalty is higher in the first case. prosecution of the criminal, or knowing
that a crime is about to be committed,
he tolerates its commission;
Article 207. Malicious Delay in the
Administration of Justice
3. Offender acts with malice and deliberate
intent to favor the violator of the law.
2. There is a proceeding in his court; A public officer engaged in the prosecution

of offenders shall maliciously tolerate the
3. He delays in the administration of commission of crimes or refrain from
justice; prosecuting offenders or violators of the
law.
4. The delay is malicious, that is, with
deliberate intent to inflict damage on This crime can only be committed by a
either party in the case. public officer whose official duty is to
prosecute offenders, that is, state
prosecutors. Hence, those officers who are
Malice must be proven. Malice is present not duty bound to perform these obligations
where the delay is sought to favor one party cannot commit this crime in the strict sense.
to the prejudice of the other.
When a policeman tolerates the
These have been interpreted by the commission of a crime or otherwise refrains
Supreme Court to refer only to judges of the from apprehending the offender, such
trial court. peace officer cannot be prosecuted for this
crime but they can be prosecuted as:
refraining from exercising the duties of his

(1) An accessory to the crime office.
committed by the principal in
accordance with Article 19, Illustration:
paragraph 3; or
The offender was caught for white slavery.
(2) He may become a fence if the crime The policeman allowed the offender to go
committed is robbery or theft, in free for some consideration. The policeman
which case he violates the Anti- does not violate Article 208 but he becomes
Fencing Law; or an accessory to the crime of white slavery.
(3) He may be held liable for violating But in the crime of theft or robbery, where
the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices the policeman shared in the loot and
Act. allowed the offender to go free, he becomes
a fence. Therefore, he is considered an
However, in distant provinces or offender under the Anti-Fencing Law.
municipalities where there are no municipal
attorneys, the local chief of police is the Relative to this crime under Article 208,
prosecuting officer. If he is the one who consider the crime of qualified bribery.
tolerates the violations of laws or otherwise Among the amendments made by Republic
allows offenders to escape, he can be Act No. 7659 on the Revised Penal Code is
prosecuted under this article. a new provision which reads as follows:
This is also true in the case of a barangay Article. 211-A.

chairman. They are supposed to prosecute Qualified Bribery – If any
violators of laws within their jurisdiction. If public officer is entrusted
they do not do so, they can be prosecuted with law enforcement and he
for this crime. refrains from arresting or
prosecuting an offender who
Prevaricacion has committed a crime
punishable by Reclusion
This used to be a crime under the Spanish Perpetua and/or death in
Codigo Penal, wherein a public officer consideration of any offer,
regardless of his duty violates the oath of promise, gift, or present, he
his office by not carrying out the duties of shall suffer the penalty for
his office for which he was sworn to office, the offense which was not
thus, amounting to dereliction of duty. prosecuted.
But the term prevaricacion is not limited to If it is the public

dereliction of duty in the prosecution of officer who asks or demands
offenders. It covers any dereliction of duty such gift or present, he shall
whereby the public officer involved violates suffer the penalty of death.
his oath of office. The thrust of
prevaricacion is the breach of the oath of
office by the public officer who does an act Actually the crime is a kind of direct bribery
in relation to his official duties. where the bribe, offer, promise, gift or
present has a consideration on the part of
While in Article 208, dereliction of duty the public officer, that is refraining from
refers only to prosecuting officers, the term arresting or prosecuting the offender in
prevaricacion applies to public officers in consideration for such offer, promise, gift or
general who is remiss or who is maliciously present. In a way, this new provision
modifies Article 210 of the Revised Penal A fiscal, for a sum of money, refrains from
Code on direct bribery.
prosecuting a person charged before him.
If the penalty for the crime involved is
However, the crime of qualified bribery may
reclusion perpetua, the fiscal commits
be committed only by public officers
qualified bribery. If the crime is punishable
“entrusted with enforcement” whose official
by a penalty lower than reclusion perpetua,
duties authorize then to arrest or prosecute
the crime is direct bribery.
offenders. Apparently, they are peace
officers and public prosecutors since the
In the latter situation, three crimes are
nonfeasance refers to “arresting or
committed: direct bribery and dereliction of
prosecuting.” But this crime arises only
duty on the part of the fiscal; and corruption
when the offender whom such public officer
of a public officer by the giver.
refrains from arresting or prosecuting, has
committed a crime punishable by reclusion
perpetua and/or death. If the crime were
Article 209. Betrayal of Trust by An
punishable by a lower penalty, then such
Attorney or Solicitor – Revelation of
nonfeasance by the public officer would
Secrets
amount to direct bribery, not qualified
bribery.
Actspunished
If the crime was qualified bribery, the
dereliction of the duty punished under
1. Causing damage to his client, either—
Article 208 of the Revised Penal Code
a. By any malicious breach of
should be absorbed because said article
professional duty;
punishes the public officer who “maliciously
refrains from instituting prosecution for the
b. By inexcusable negligence or
punishment of violators of the law or shall
ignorance.
tolerate the commission of offenses”. The
dereliction of duty referred to is necessarily
Note: When the attorney acts with
included in the crime of qualified bribery.
malicious abuse of his employment
or inexcusable negligence or
On the other hand, if the crime was direct
ignorance, there must be damage to
bribery under Article 210 of the Revised
his client.
Penal Code, the public officer involved
should be prosecuted also for the
2. Revealing any of the secrets of his
dereliction of duty, which is a crime under
client learned by him in his
Article 208 of the Revised Penal Code,
professional capacity;
because the latter is not absorbed by the
crime of direct bribery. This is because in
3. Undertaking the defense of the
direct bribery, where the public officer
opposing party in the same case,
agreed to perform an act constituting a
without the consent of his first client,
crime in connection with the performance of
after having undertaken the defense
his official duties, Article 210 expressly
of said first client of after having
provides that the liabilty thereunder shall be
received confidential information
“in addition to the penalty corresponding to
from said client.
the crime agreed upon, if the crime shall
have been committed.
Under the rules on evidence,
Illustration:
communications made with prospective
clients to a lawyer with a view to engaging
his professional services are already
privileged even though the client-lawyer

relationship did not eventually materialize A went to B, a lawyer/notary public, to have
because the client cannot afford the fee a document notarized. A narrated to B the
being asked by the lawyer. The lawyer and detail of the criminal case. If B will disclose
his secretary or clerk cannot be examined what was narrated to him there is no
thereon. betrayal of trust since B is acting as a
notary public and not as a counsel. The
That this communication with a prospective lawyer must have learned the confidential
client is considered privileged, implies that matter in his professional capacity.
the same is confidential. Therefore, if the
lawyer would reveal the same or otherwise Several acts which would make a lawyer
accept a case from the adverse party, he criminally liable:
would already be violating Article 209.
Mere malicious breach without damage is (1) Maliciously causing damage to his
not violative of Article 209; at most he will be client through a breach of his
liable administratively as a lawyer, e.g., professional duty. The breach of
suspension or disbarment under the Code professional duty must be malicious.
of Professional Responsibility. If it is just incidental, it would not
give rise to criminal liability, although
Illustration: it may be the subject of
administrative discipline;
B, who is involved in the crime of seduction
wanted A, an attorney at law, to handle his (2) Through gross ignorance, causing
case. A received confidential information damage to the client;
from B. However, B cannot pay the
professional fee of A. C, the offended party, (3) Inexcusable negligence;
came to A also and the same was accepted.
(4) Revelation of secrets learned in his
A did not commit the crime under Article professional capacity;
209, although the lawyer’s act may be
considered unethical. The client-lawyer (5) Undertaking the defense of the
relationship between A and B was not yet opposite party in a case without the
established. Therefore, there is no trust to consent of the first client whose
violate because B has not yet actually defense has already been
engaged the services of the lawyer A. A is undertaken.
not bound to B. However, if A would reveal
the confidential matter learned by him from Note that only numbers 1, 2 and 3 must
B, then Article 209 is violated because it is approximate malice.
enough that such confidential matters were
communicated to him in his professional A lawyer who had already undertaken the
capacity, or it was made to him with a view case of a client cannot later on shift to the
to engaging his professional services. opposing party. This cannot be done.
Here, matters that are considered Under the circumstances, it is necessary
confidential must have been said to the that the confidential matters or information
lawyer with the view of engaging his was confided to the lawyer in the latter’s
services. Otherwise, the communication professional capacity.
shall not be considered privileged and no
trust is violated. It is not the duty of the lawyer to give advice
on the commission of a future crime. It is,
Illustration: therefore, not privileged in character. The
lawyer is not bound by the mandate of Revealing information obtained or taking

privilege if he reports such commission of a advantage thereof by accepting the
future crime. It is only confidential engagement with the adverse party. There
information relating to crimes already is no need to prove that the client suffered
committed that are covered by the crime of damages. The mere breach of confidential
betrayal of trust if the lawyer should relation is punishable.
undertake the case of opposing party or
otherwise divulge confidential information of In a conjugal case, if the lawyer disclosed
a client. the confidential information to other people,
he would be criminally liable even though
Under the law on evidence on privileged the client did not suffer any damage.
communication, it is not only the lawyer who
is protected by the matter of privilege but The client who was suing his wife disclosed
also the office staff like the secretary. that he also committed acts of
unfaithfulness. The lawyer talked about this
The nominal liability under this article may to a friend. He is, thus, liable.
be constituted either from breach of
professional duties in the handling of the
case or it may arise out of the confidential Article 210. Direct Bribery
relation between the lawyer and the client.
Actspunished
Breach of professional duty
1. Agreeing to perform, or performing,
Tardiness in the prosecution of the case for in consideration of any offer,
which reason the case was dismissed for promise, gift or present – an act
being non-prosecuted; or tardiness on the constituting a crime, in connection
part of the defense counsel leading to with the performance of his official
declaration of default and adverse duties;
judgment.
2. Accepting a gift in consideration of
Professional duties – Lawyer must appear the execution of an act which does
on time. But the client must have suffered not constitute a crime, in connection
damage due to the breach of professional with the performance of his official
duty. Otherwise, the lawyer cannot be held duty;
liable.
3. Agreeing to refrain, or by refraining,
If the prosecutor was tardy and the case from doing something which it is his
was dismissed as non-prosecuted, but he official duty to do, in consideration of
filed a motion for consideration which was gift or promise.
granted, and the case was continued, the
lawyer is not liable, because the client did
not suffer damage. Elements
If lawyer was neglectful in filing an answer, 1. Offender is a public officer within the
and his client declared in default, and there scope of Article 203;
was an adverse judgment, the client
suffered damages. The lawyer is liable. 2. Offender accepts an offer or a
promise or receives a gift or present
Breach of confidential relation by himself or through another;
3. Such offer or promise be accepted, Illustration:

or gift or present received by the
public officer – Without any understanding with the public
officer, a taxi operator gave an expensive
a. With a view to committing some suiting material to a BLT registrar. Upon
crime; or
receipt by the BLT registrar of his valuable
suiting material, he asked who the giver
was. He found out that he is a taxi
b. In consideration of the execution
operator. As far as the giver is concerned,
of an act which does not
he is giving this by reason of the office or
constitute a crime, but the act
position of the public officer involved. It is
must be unjust; or
just indirect bribery
.
c. To refrain from doing something If the BLT registrar calls up his subordinates
which it is his official duty to do. and said to take care of the taxis of the taxi
operator so much so that the registration of
4. The act which offender agrees to the taxis is facilitated ahead of the others,
perform or which he executes be what originally would have been indirect
connected with the performance of bribery becomes direct bribery.
his official duties.
In direct bribery, consider whether the
official act, which the public officer agreed
It is a common notion that when you talk of to do, is a crime or not.
bribery, you refer to the one corrupting the
public officer. Invariably, the act refers to If it will amount to a crime, it is not
the giver, but this is wrong. Bribery refers to necessary that the corruptor should deliver
the act of the receiver and the act of the the consideration or the doing of the act.
giver is corruption of public official. The moment there is a meeting of the
minds, even without the delivery of the
Distinction between direct bribery and consideration, even without the public
indirect bribery officer performing the act amounting to a
crime, bribery is already committed on the
Bribery is direct when a public officer is part of the public officer. Corruption is
called upon to perform or refrain from already committed on the part of the
performing an official act in exchange for the supposed giver. The reason is that the
gift, present or consideration given to him. agreement is a conspiracy involving the
duty of a public officer. The mere
If he simply accepts a gift or present given agreement is a felony already.
to him by reason of his public position, the
crime is indirect bribery. Bear in mind that If the public officer commits the act which
the gift is given "by reason of his office", not constitutes the crime, he, as well as the
"in consideration" thereof. So never use the corruptor shall be liable also for that other
term “consideration.” The public officer in crime.
Indirect bribery is not to perform any official
act. Illustrations:
Note however that what may begin as an (1) If the corruptor offers a
indirect bribery may actually ripen into direct consideration to a custodian of a
bribery. public record to remove certain files,
the mere agreement, without
delivery of the consideration, brings
about the crime of direct bribery and

refraining would give rise to a crime, such
corruption of public official.
as refraining to prosecute an offender, the
mere agreement to do so will consummate
If the records were actually
the bribery and the corruption, even if no
removed, both the public officer and
money was delivered to him. If the
the corruptor will in addition to the
refraining is not a crime, it would only
two felonies above, will also be
amount to bribery if the consideration be
liable for the crime committed, which
delivered to him.
is infidelity in the custody of the
public records for which they shall
If it is not a crime, the consideration must
be liable as principals; one as
be delivered by the corruptor before a
principal by inducement, the other
public officer can be prosecuted for bribery.
as principal by direct participation.
Mere agreement, is not enough to
constitute the crime because the act to be
(2) A party litigant approached the
done in the first place is legitimate or in the
court’s stenographer and proposed
performance of the official duties of the
the idea of altering the transcript of
public official.
stenographic notes. The court
stenographer agreed and he
Unless the public officer receives the
demanded P 2,000.00.
consideration for doing his official duty,
there is no bribery. It is necessary that
Unknown to them, there were law
there must be delivery of monetary
enforcers who already had a tip that
consideration. This is so because in the
the court stenographer had been
second situation, the public officer actually
doing this before. So they were
performed what he is supposed to perform.
waiting for the chance to entrap him.
It is just that he would not perform what he
They were apprehended and they
is required by law to perform without an
said they have not done anything
added consideration from the public which
yet.
gives rise to the crime.
Under Article 210, the mere
The idea of the law is that he is being paid
agreement to commit the act, which
salary for being there. He is not supposed
amounts to a crime, is already
to demand additional compensation from
bribery. That stenographer
the public before performing his public
becomes liable already for
service. The prohibition will apply only
consummated crime of bribery and
when the money is delivered to him, or if he
the party who agreed to give that
performs what he is supposed to perform in
money is already liable for
anticipation of being paid the money.
consummated corruption, even
though not a single centavo is
Here, the bribery will only arise when there
delivered yet and even though the
is already the acceptance of the
stenographer had not yet made the
consideration because the act to be done is
alterations.
not a crime. So, without the acceptance,
the crime is not committed.
If he changed the transcript, another
crime is committed: falsification.
Direct bribery may be committed only in the
attempted and consummated stages
The same criterion will apply with respect to because, in frustrated felony, the offender
a public officer who agrees to refrain from must have performed all the acts of
performing his official duties. If the execution which would produce the felony
as a consequence. In direct bribery, it is
possible only if the corruptor concurs with intention to corrupt her and
the offender. Once there is concurrence, the therefore, he could not perform all
direct bribery is already consummated. In the acts of execution.
short, the offender could not have performed
all the acts of execution to produce the Be sure that what is involved is a
felony without consummating the same. crime of bribery, not extortion. If it
were extortion, the crime is not
Actually, you cannot have a giver unless bribery, but robbery. The one who
there is one who is willing to receive and yielded to the demand does not
there cannot be a receiver unless there is commit corruption of a public officer
one willing to give. So this crime requires because it was involuntary.
two to commit. It cannot be said, therefore,
that one has performed all the acts of
execution which would produce the felony Article 211. Indirect Bribery
as a consequence but for reasons
independent of the will, the crime was not Elements
committed.
1. Offender is a public officer;
It is now settled, therefore, that the crime of
bribery and corruption of public officials
2. He accepts gifts;
cannot be committed in the frustrated stage
because this requires two to commit and
that means a meeting of the minds.
3. The gifts are offered to him by reason of
his office.
Illustrations:
The public official does not undertake to
(1) If the public official accepted the
perform an act or abstain from doing an
corrupt consideration and turned it
official duty from what he received. Instead,
over to his superior as evidence of
the official simply receives or accepts gifts
the corruption, the offense
or presents delivered to him with no other
is attempted corruption only and
reason except his office or public position.
not frustrated. The official did not
This is always in the consummated stage.
agree
There is no attempted much less frustrated
to be corrupted.
stage in indirect bribery.
If the public officer did not report the
The Supreme Court has laid down the rule
same to his superior and actually
that for indirect bribery to be committed, the
accepted it, he allowed himself to be
public officer must have performed an act of
corrupted. The corruptor becomes
appropriating of the gift for himself, his
liable for consummated corruption of
family or employees. It is the act of
public official. The public officer also
appropriating that signifies acceptance.
becomes equally liable for
Merely delivering the gift to the public officer
consummated bribery.
does not bring about the crime. Otherwise
it would be very easy to remove a public
(2) If a public official demanded
officer: just deliver a gift to him.
something from a taxpayer who
pretended to agree and use marked
money with the knowledge of the
Article 211-A. Qualified Bribery
police, the crime of the public official
is attempted bribery. The reason is
Elements
that because the giver has no
1. Offender is a public officer entrusted

with law enforcement; It provides immunity to the bribe-giver
provided he does two things:
2. He refrains from arresting or prosecuting
an offender who has committed a crime; (1) He voluntarily discloses the
transaction he had with the public
3. Offender has committed a crime officer constituting direct or indirect
punishable by reclusion perpetua and/or bribery, or any other corrupt
death; transaction;
4. Offender refrains from arresting or (2) He must willingly testify against the
prosecuting in consideration of any offer, public officer involved in the case to
promise, gift, or present. be filed against the latter.
Before the bribe-giver may be dropped from

Note that the penalty is qualified if the public the information, he has to be charged first
officer is the one who asks or demands with the receiver. Before trial, prosecutor
such present. may move for dropping bribe-giver from
information and be granted immunity. But
first, five conditions have to be met:
Presidential Decree No. 46
(1) Information must refer to
Presidential Decree No. 46 prohibits giving consummated bribery;
and acceptance of gifts by a public officer or
to a public officer, even during anniversary, (2) Information is necessary for the
or when there is an occasion like Christmas, proper conviction of the public officer
New Year, or any gift-giving anniversary. involved;
The Presidential Decree punishes both
receiver and giver. (3) That the information or testimony to
be given is not yet in the possession
The prohibition giving and receiving gifts of the government or known to the
given by reason of official position, government;
regardless of whether or not the same is for
past or future favors. (4) That the information can be
corroborated in its material points;
The giving of parties by reason of the
promotion of a public official is considered a (5) That the information has not been
crime even though it may call for a convicted previously for any crime
celebration. The giving of a party is not involving moral turpitude.
limited to the public officer only but also to
any member of his family. These conditions are analogous to the
conditions under the State Witness Rule
under Criminal Procedure.
Presidential Decree No. 749
The immunity granted the bribe-giver is
The decree grants immunity from limited only to the illegal transaction where
prosecution to a private person or public the informant gave voluntarily the testimony.
officer who shall voluntarily give information If there were other transactions where the
and testify in a case of bribery or in a case informant also participated, he is not
involving a violation of the Anti-graft and immune from prosecution. The immunity in
Corrupt Practices Act.
one transaction does not extend to other

(2) By receiving, directly or indirectly,
transactions.
any commission, gift, share,
percentage, kickbacks or any other
The immunity attaches only if the
form of pecuniary benefit from any
information given turns out to be true and
person and/or entity in connection
correct. If the same is false, the public
with any government contract or
officer may even file criminal and civil
project by reason of the office or
actions against the informant for perjury and
position of the public officer;
the immunity under the decree will not
protect him.
(3) By illegal or fraudulent conveyance
or disposition of asset belonging to
the national government or any of its
Republic Act No. 7080 (Plunder)
subdivisions, agencies or
instrumentalities or government-
Plunder is a crime defined and penalized
owned or controlled corporations
under Republic Act No. 7080, which
and their subsidiaries;
became effective in 1991. This crime
somehow modified certain crimes in the
(4) By obtaining, receiving, or accepting
Revised Penal Code insofar as the overt
directly or indirectly any shares of
acts by which a public officer amasses,
stock, equity or any other form of
acquires, or accumulates ill-gotten wealth
interest or participation including the
are felonies under the Revised Penal Code
promise of future employment in any
like bribery (Articles 210, 211, 211-A), fraud
business or undertaking;
against the public treasury [Article 213],
other frauds (Article 214), malversation
(5) By establishing agricultural,
(Article 217), when the ill-gotten wealth
industrial, or commercial monopolies
amounts to a total value of P50,000,000.00.
or other combinations and/or
The amount was reduced from
implementations of decrees and
P75,000,000.00 by Republic Act No. 7659
orders intended to benefit particular
and the penalty was changed from life
persons or special interests; or
imprisonment to reclusion perpetua to
death.
(6) By taking undue advantage of official
position, authority, relationship,
Short of the amount, plunder does not arise.
connection or influence to unjustly
Any amount less than P50,000,000.00 is a
enrich himself or themselves at the
violation of the Revised Penal Code or the
expense and to the damage and
Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
prejudice of the Filipino people, and
the Republic of the Philippines.
Under the law on plunder, the prescriptive
period is 20 years commencing from the
time of the last overt act.
While the crime appears to be malum
prohibitum, Republic Act No. 7080 provides
Plunder is committed through a combination
or series of overt acts: that “in the imposition of penalties, the
degree of participation and the attendance
(1) Through misappropriation, of mitigating and aggravating circumstances
conversion, misuse, or malversation shall be considered by the court”.
of public funds or raids on the public
treasury;
Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and that he performed the prohibited act
Corrupt Practices Act)
voluntarily. Even though the prohibited act
may have benefited the government. The
The mere act of a public officer demanding
crime is still committed because the law is
an amount from a taxpayer to whom he is to
not after the effect of the act as long as the
render public service does not amount to
act is prohibited.
bribery, but will amount to a violation of the
Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Section 3 (g) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt
Practices Act – where a public officer
Illustration:
entered into a contract for the government
which is manifestly disadvantageous to the
A court secretary received P500 .00 from a
government even if he did not profit from
litigant to set a motion for an early hearing.
the transaction, a violation of the Anti-Graft
This is direct bribery even if the act to be
and Corrupt Practices Act is committed.
performed is within his official duty so long
as he received a consideration therefor.
If a public officer, with his office and a
private enterprise had a transaction and he
If the secretary persuaded the judge to
allows a relative or member of his family to
make a favorable resolution, even if the
accept employment in that enterprise, good
judge did not do so, this constitutes a
faith is not a defense because it is a malum
violation of Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices
prohibitum. It is enough that that the act
Act, Sub- Section A.
was performed.
Under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices
Where the public officer is a member of the
Act, particularly Section 3, there are several
board, panel or group who is to act on an
acts defined as corrupt practices. Some of
application of a contract and the act
them are mere repetitions of the act already
involved one of discretion, any public officer
penalized under the Revised Penal Code,
like prohibited transactions under Article who is a member of that board, panel or
215 and 216. In such a case, the act or group, even though he voted against the
omission remains to be mala in se. approval of the application, as long as he
has an interest in that business enterprise
But there are acts penalized under the Anti- whose application is pending before that
Graft and Corrupt Practices Act which are board, panel or group, the public officer
not penalized under the Revised Penal concerned shall be liable for violation of the
Code. Those acts may be considered as Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. His
mala prohibita. Therefore, good faith is not only course of action to avoid prosecution
a defense. under the Anti- graft and Corrupt Practices
Act is to sell his interest in the enterprise
Illustration: which has filed an application before that
board, panel or group where he is a
Section 3 (e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt member. Or otherwise, he should resign
Practices Act – causing undue injury to the from his public position.
government or a private party by giving
unwarranted benefit to the party whom does Illustration:
not deserve the same.
Sen. Dominador Aytono had an interest in
In this case, good faith is not a defense the Iligan Steel Mills, which at that time was
because it is in the nature of a malum being subject of an investigation by the
prohibitum. Criminal intent on the part of Senate Committee of which he was a
the offender is not required. It is enough chairman. He was threatened with
prosecution under Republic Act No. 3019 so
he was compelled to sell all his interest in booked and incarcerated no matter how
that steel mill; there is no defense. Because short the time may be.
the law says so, even if he voted against it,
he commits a violation thereof. The policeman could not be said as having
assisted the escape of the offender
These cases are filed with the Ombudsman because as the problem says, he is
and not with the regular prosecutor’s office. assigned to direct traffic in a busy corner
Jurisdiction is exclusively with the street. So he cannot be considered as
Sandiganbayan. The accused public officer falling under the third 3rd paragraph of
must be suspended when the case is Article 19 that would constitute his as an
already filed with the Sandiganbayan. accessory.
Under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices The same is true with the civilian because
Act, the public officer who is accused the crime committed by the offender, which
should not be automatically suspended is snatching or a kind of robbery or theft as
upon the filing of the information in court. It the case may be, is not one of those crimes
is the court which will order the suspension mentioned under the third paragraph of
of the public officer and not the superior of Article 19 of the Revised Penal Code.
that public officer. As long as the court has
not ordered the suspension of the public Where the public officer is still incumbent,
officer involved, the superior of that public the prosecution shall be with the
officer is not authorized to order the Ombudsman.
suspension simply because of the violation
of the Anti- Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Where the respondent is separated from
The court will not order the suspension of service and the period has not yet
the public officer without first passing upon prescribed, the information shall be filed in
the validity of the information filed in court. any prosecution’s office in the city where
Without a hearing, the suspension would be the respondent resides. The prosecution
null and void for being violative of due shall file the case in the Regional Trial Court
process. unless the violation carries a penalty higher
than prision correccional, in which case the
Illustration: Sandiganbayan has jurisdiction.
A public officer was assigned to direct traffic The fact that the government benefited out
in a very busy corner. While there, he of the prohibited act is no defense at all, the
caught a thief in the act of lifting the wallet violation being mala prohibita.
of a pedestrian. As he could not leave his
post, he summoned a civilian to deliver the Section 3 (f) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt
thief to the precinct. The civilian agreed so Practices Act – where the public officer
he left with the thief. When they were neglects or refuses to act on a matter
beyond the view of the policeman, the pending before him for the purpose of
civilian allowed the thief to go home. What obtaining any pecuniary or material benefit
would be the liability of the public officer? or advantage in favor of or discriminating
against another interested party.
The liability of the traffic policeman would
be merely administrative. The civilian has The law itself additionally requires that the
no liability at all. accused’s dereliction, besides being without
Firstly, the offender is not yet a prisoner so justification, must be for the purpose of
there is no accountability yet. The term obtaining from any person interested in the
“prisoner” refers to one who is already
matter some pecuniary or material benefit
or for the purpose of favoring any interested
party, or discriminating against another Article 212. Corruption of Public

interested party. This element is Officials
indispensable.
In other words, the neglect or refusal to act

must motivated by gain or benefit, or
purposely to favor the other interested party
as held in Coronado v. SB, decided on
August 18, 1993.
Republic Act No. 1379 (Forfeiture of Ill-

gotten Wealth)
Correlate with RA 1379 -- properly under

Remedial Law. This provides the procedure
for forfeiture of the ill-gotten wealth in
violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt
Practices Act. The proceedings are civil and
not criminal in nature.
Any taxpayer having knowledge that a

public officer has amassed wealth out of
proportion to this legitimate income may file
a complaint with the prosecutor’s office of
the place where the public officer resides or
holds office. The prosecutor conducts a
preliminary investigation just like in a
criminal case and he will forward his
findings to the office of the Solicitor General.
The Solicitor General will determine whether
there is reasonable ground to believe that
the respondent has accumulated an
unexplained wealth.
If the Solicitor General finds probable

cause, he would file a petition requesting
the court to issue a writ commanding the
respondent to show cause why the ill-gotten
wealth described in the petition should not
be forfeited in favor of the government. This
is covered by the Rules on Civil Procedure.
The respondent is given 15 days to answer
the petition. Thereafter trial would proceed.
Judgment is rendered and appeal is just like
in a civil case. Remember that this is not a
criminal proceeding. The basic difference is
that the preliminary investigation is
conducted by the prosecutor.
Elements 1. Offender is a public officer;

1. Offender makes offers or promises 2. He has taken advantage of his
or gives gifts or presents to a public office, that is, he intervened in the
officer; transaction in his official capacity;
2. The offers or promises are made or 3. He entered into an agreement with
the gifts or presents given to a public any interested party or speculator or
officer, under circumstances that will made use of any other scheme with
make the public officer liable for regard to furnishing supplies, the
direct bribery or indirect bribery. making of contracts, or the
adjustment or settlement of accounts
relating to public property or funds;
Article 213. Frauds against the Public
Treasury and Similar Offenses 4. He had intent to defraud the
government.
Actspunished
1. Entering into an agreement with any The essence of this crime is making the
interested party or speculator or government pay for something not received
making use of any other scheme, to or making it pay more than what is due. It
defraud the government, in dealing is also committed by refunding more than
with any person with regard to the amount which should properly be
furnishing supplies, the making of refunded. This occurs usually in cases
contracts, or the adjustment or where a public officer whose official duty is
settlement of accounts relating to to procure supplies for the government or
public property or funds; enter into contract for government
transactions, connives with the said supplier
2. Demanding, directly or indirectly, the with the intention to defraud the
payment of sums different from or government. Also when certain supplies for
larger than those authorized by law, the government are purchased for the high
in collection of taxes, licenses, fees, price but its quantity or quality is low.
and other imposts;
Illustrations:
3. Failing voluntarily to issue a receipt,
as provided by law, for any sum of (1) A public official who is in charge of
money collected by him officially, in procuring supplies for the
the collection of taxes, licenses, government obtained funds for the
fees, and other imposts; first class materials and buys inferior
quality products and pockets the
4. Collecting or receiving, directly or excess of the funds. This is usually
indirectly, by way of payment or committed by the officials of the
otherwise, things or objects of a Department of Public Works and
nature different from that provided by Highways.
law, in the collection of taxes,
licenses, fees, and other imposts. (2) Poorest quality of ink paid as if it
were of superior quality.
Elements of frauds against public (3) One thousand pieces of blanket for
treasury underparagraph1 certain unit of the Armed Forces of
the Philippines were paid for but Elements of illegal exactions under
actually, only 100 pieces were paragraph2
bought.
1. Offender is a public officer entrusted
(4) The Quezon City government with the collection of taxes, licenses,
ordered 10,000 but what was fees and other imposts;
delivered was only 1,000 T-shirts,
the public treasury is defrauded 2. He is guilty of any of the following
because the government is made to acts or omissions:
pay that which is not due or for a
higher price. a. Demanding, directly or
indirectly, the payment of
Not all frauds will constitute this crime. sums different from or larger
There must be no fixed allocation or amount than those authorized by law;
on the matter acted upon by the public or
officer.
b. Failing voluntarily to issue a
The allocation or outlay was made the basis receipt, as provided by law,
of fraudulent quotations made by the public for any sum of money
officer involved. collected by him officially; or
For example, there was a need to put some c. Collecting or receiving,
additional lighting along the a street and no directly or indirectly, by way
one knows how much it will cost. An officer of payment or otherwise,
was asked to canvass the cost but he things or objects of a nature
connived with the seller of light bulbs, different from that provided
pricing each light bulb at P550.00 instead of by law.
the actual price of P500.00. This is a case
of fraud against public treasury.
This can only be committed principally by a
If there is a fixed outlay of P20,000.00 for public officer whose official duty is to collect
the lighting apparatus needed and the taxes, license fees, import duties and other
public officer connived with the seller so that dues payable to the government.
although allocation was made a lesser
number was asked to be delivered, or of an Not any public officer can commit this
inferior quality, or secondhand. In this case crime. Otherwise, it is estafa. Fixers
there is no fraud against the public treasury cannot commit this crime unless he
because there is a fixed allocation. The conspires with the public officer authorized
fraud is in the implementation of to make the collection.
procurement. That would constitute the
crime of “other fraud” in Article 214, which is Also, public officers with such functions but
in the nature of swindling or estafa. are in the service of the Bureau of Internal
Revenue and the Bureau of Customs are
Be sure to determine whether fraud is not to be prosecuted under the Revised
against public treasury or one under Article Penal Code but under the Revised
214. Administrative Code. These officers are
authorized to make impositions and to enter
into compromises. Because of this
discretion, their demanding or collecting
different from what is necessary is legal.
This provision of the Revised Penal Code abstract the P100.00, issued a
was provided before the Bureau of Internal receipt for only P400.00. The
Revenue and the Tariff and Customs Code. taxpayer would naturally ask the
Now, we have specific Code which will municipal treasurer why the receipt
apply to them. In the absence of any was only for P400.00. The treasurer
provision applicable, the Revised answered that the P100.00 is
Administrative Code will apply. supposed to be for documentary
stamps. The taxpayer left.
The essence of the crime is not
misappropriation of any of the amounts but He has a receipt for P400.00. The
the improper making of the collection which municipal treasurer turned over to
would prejudice the accounting of collected the government coffers P400.00
amounts by the government. because that is due the government
and pocketed the P100.00.
On the first form of illegal exaction
The mere fact that there was a
In this form, mere demand will consummate demand for an amount different from
the crime, even if the taxpayer shall refuse what is due the government, the
to come across with the amount being public officer already committed the
demanded. That will not affect the crime of illegal exaction.
consummation of the crime.
On the P100.00 which the public
In the demand, it is not necessary that the officer pocketed, will it be
amount being demanded is bigger than malversation or estafa?
what is payable to the government. The
amount being demanded maybe less than In the example given, the public
the amount due the government. officer did not include in the official
receipt the P100.00 and, therefore, it
Note that this is often committed with did not become part of the public
malversation or estafa because when a funds. It remained to be private. It
public officer shall demand an amount is the taxpayer who has been
different from what the law provides, it can defrauded of his P100.00 because
be expected that such public officer will not he can never claim a refund from the
turn over his collection to the government. government for excess payment
since the receipt issued to him was
Illustrations: only P400.00 which is due the
government. As far as the P100.00
(1) A taxpayer goes to the local is concerned, the crime committed is
municipal treasurer to pay real estafa.
estate taxes on his land. Actually,
what is due the government is (3) A taxpayer pays his taxes. What is
P400.00 only but the municipal due the government is P400.00 and
treasurer demanded P500.00. By the public officer issues a receipt for
that demand alone, the crime of P500.00 upon payment of the
illegal exaction is already committed taxpayer of said amount demanded
even though the taxpayer does not by the public officer involved. But he
pay the P500.00. altered the duplicate to reflect only
P400.00 and he extracted the
(2) Suppose the taxpayer came across difference of P100.00.
with P500.00. But the municipal
treasurer, thinking that he would
In this case, the entire P500.00 was trust by a public officer entrusted to
covered by an official receipt. That make the collection which is
act of covering the whole amount penalized under such article. The
received from the taxpayer in an falsification or alteration made on
official receipt will have the the duplicate can not be said as a
characteristics of becoming a part of means to commit malversation. At
the public funds. The crimes most, the duplicate was altered in
committed, therefore, are the order to conceal the malversation.
following: So it cannot be complexed with the
malversation.
(a) Illegal exaction – for
collecting more than he is It cannot also be said that the
authorized to collect. The falsification is a necessary means to
mere act of demanding is commit the malversation because
enough to constitute this the public officer can misappropriate
crime. the P100.00 without any falsification.
All that he has to do is to get the
(b) Falsification – because there excess of P100.00 and
was an alteration of official misappropriate it. So the
document which is the falsification is a separate accusation.
duplicate of the official
receipt to show an amount However, illegal exaction may be
less than the actual amount complexed with malversation
collected. because illegal exaction is a
necessary means to be able to
(c) Malversation – because of collect the P100.00 excess which
his act of misappropriating was malversed.
the P100.00 excess which
was covered by an official In this crime, pay attention to
receipt already, even though whether the offender is the one
not payable to the charged with the collection of the
government. The entire tax, license or impost subject of the
P500.00 was covered by the misappropriation. If he is not the
receipt, therefore, the whole one authorized by disposition to do
amount became public the collection, the crime of illegal
funds. So when he exaction is not committed.
appropriated the P100 for his
own benefit, he was not If it did not give rise to the crime of
extracting private funds illegal exaction, the funds collected
anymore but public funds. may not have become part of the
public funds. If it had not become
Should the falsification be part of the public funds, or had not
complexed with the malversation? become impressed with being part
of the public funds, it cannot be the
As far as the crime of illegal exaction subject of malversation. It will give
is concerned, it will be the subject of rise to estafa or theft as the case
separate accusation because there, may be.
the mere demand regardless of
whether the taxpayer will pay or not, (3) The Municipal Treasurer demanded
will already consummate the crime P500.00 when only P400.00 was
of illegal exaction. It is the breach of due. He issued the receipt at
P400.00 and explained to taxpayer give rise to illegal exaction even though a
that the P100 was for documentary provisional receipt has been issued. What
stamps. The Municipal Treasurer the law requires is a receipt in the form
placed the entire P500.00 in the prescribed by law, which means official
vault of the office. When he needed receipt.
money, he took the P100.00 and
spent it. Illustration:
The following crimes were If a government cashier or officer to whom
committed:
payment is made issued a receipt in his
own private form, which he calls provisional,
(a) Illegal exaction – for
even though he has no intention of
demanding a different
misappropriating the amount received by
amount;
him, the mere fact that he issued a receipt
not in the form prescribed by law, the crime
(b) Estafa – for deceiving the
of illegal exaction is committed. There must
taxpayer; and
be voluntary failure to issue the Official
Receipt.
(c) Malversation – for getting the
P100.00 from the vault.
On the third form of illegal exaction
Although the excess P100.00 was
Under the rules and regulations of the
not covered by the Official Receipt, it
government, payment of checks not
was commingled with the other
belonging to the taxpayer, but that of
public funds in the vault; hence, it
checks of other persons, should not be
became part of public funds and
accepted to settle the obligation of that
subsequent extraction thereof
person.
constitutes malversation.
Illustration:
Note that numbers 1 and 2 are complexed
A taxpayer pays his obligation with a check
as illegal exaction with estafa, while in
not his own but pertaining to another.
number 3, malversation is a distinct offense.
Because of that, the check bounced later
on.
The issuance of the Official Receipt is the
operative fact to convert the payment into
The crime committed is illegal exaction
public funds. The payor may demand a
because the payment by check is not
refund by virtue of the Official Receipt.
allowed if the check does not pertain to the
taxpayer himself, unless the check is a
In cases where the payor decides to let the
manager’s check or a certified check,
official to “keep the change”, if the latter
amended already as of 1990. (See the
should pocket the excess, he shall be liable
case of Roman Catholic.)
for malversation. The official has no right
but the government, under the principle of
Under Article 213, if any of these acts
accretion, as the owner of the bigger
penalized as illegal exaction is committed
amount becomes the owner of the whole.
by those employed in the Bureau of
Customs or Bureau of Internal Revenue,
On the second form of illegal exaction
the law that will apply to them will be the
Revised Administrative Code or the Tariff
The act of receiving payment due the
and Customs Code or National Revenue
government without issuing a receipt will
Code.
transaction connected with the

This crime does not require damage to the estate or property in the appraisal,
government. distribution or adjudication of which
they had acted;
Article 214. Other Frauds 3. Guardians and executors with

respect to the property belonging to
Elements their wards or the estate.

Section 14, Article VI of the Constitution
2. He takes advantage of his official
position; No Senator or Member of the House
of Representatives may personally appear
3. He commits any of the frauds or as counsel before any court of justice or
deceits enumerated in Article 315 to before the Electoral Tribunals, or quasi-
318. judicial and other administrative bodies.
Neither shall he, directly or indirectly, be
interested financially in any contract with, or
Article 215. Prohibited Transactions in any franchise or special privilege granted
by the Government or any subdivision,
Elements agency or instrumentality thereof, including
any government-owned or controlled
1. Offender is an appointive public corporation or its subsidiary, during his term
officer; of office. He shall not intervene in any
matter before any office of the government
2. He becomes interested, directly or for his pecuniary benefit or where he may be
indirectly, in any transaction of called upon to act on account of his office.
exchange or speculation;
3. The transaction takes place within Section 13, Article VII of the Constitution
the territory subject to his
jurisdiction; The President, Vice-President, the
Members of the Cabinet and their deputies
4. He becomes interested in the or assistant shall not, unless otherwise
transaction during his incumbency. provided in this Constitution, hold any other
office or employment during their tenure.
They shall not, during said tenure, directly
Article 216. Possession of Prohibited or indirectly, practice any other profession,
Interest By A Public Officer participate in any business, or be financially
interested in any contract with, or in any
Personsliable franchise, or special privilege granted by the
Government or any subdivision, agency or
1. Public officer who, directly or instrumentality thereof, including
indirectly, became interested in any government-owned or controlled
contracts or business in which it was corporations or their subsidiaries. They
his official duty to intervene; shall strictly avoid conflict of interest in the
conduct of their office.
2. Experts, arbitrators, and private
accountants who, in like manner,
took part in any contract or
Section 2, Article IX-A of the Constitution 3. Those funds or property were public
funds or property for which he was
No member of a Constitutional accountable;
Commission shall, during his tenure, hold
any office or employment. Neither shall he 4. He appropriated, took,
engage in the practice of any profession or misappropriated or consented or,
in the active management or control of any through abandonment or negligence,
business which in any way may be affected permitted another person to take
by the functions of his office, nor shall he be them.
financially interested, directly or indirectly, in
any contract with, or in any franchise or
privilege granted by the government, or any This crime is predicated on the relationship
of its subdivisions, agencies, or of the offender to the property or funds
instrumentalities, including government- involved. The offender must be
owned or controlled corporations or their accountable for the property
subsidiaries. misappropriated. If the fund or property,
though public in character is the
responsibility of another officer,
Article 217. Malversation of Public malversation is not committed unless there
Funds or Property – Presumption of is conspiracy.
Malversation
It is not necessary that the offender profited
Actspunished because somebody else may have
misappropriated the funds in question for as
1. Appropriating public funds or long as the accountable officer was remiss
property;
in his duty of safekeeping public funds or
property. He is liable for malversation if
2. Taking or misappropriating the
such funds were lost or otherwise
same;
misappropriated by another.
3. Consenting, or through
There is no malversation through simple
abandonment or negligence,
negligence or reckless imprudence,
permitting any other person to take
whether deliberately or negligently. This is
such public funds or property; and
one crime in the Revised Penal Code where
the penalty is the same whether committed
4. Being otherwise guilty of the
with dolo or culpa.
misappropriation or malversation of
such funds or property.
Elements common to all acts of Question & Answer

malversationunderArticle217
What crime under the Revised Penal
Code carries the same penalty whether
committed intentionally or through
2. He had the custody or control of
negligence?
funds or property by reason of the
duties of his office;
Malversation under Article 217.
There is no crime of malversation through
negligence. The crime is malversation,
plain and simple, whether committed
through dolo or culpa. There is no crime of

malversation under Article 365 – on criminal No. The crime is neither theft nor
negligence – because in malversation robbery, but malversation.
under Article 217, the same penalty is
imposed whether the malversation results 3. A member of the Philippine
from negligence or was the product of National Police went on absence without
deliberate act. leave. He was charged with malversation of
the firearm issued to him. After two years,
he came out of hiding and surrendered the
The crime of malversation can be firearm. What crime was committed?
committed only by an officer accountable
for the funds or property which is The crime committed was
appropriated. This crime, therefore, bears a malversation. Payment of the amount
relation between the offender and the funds misappropriated or restitution of property
or property involved. misappropriated does not erase criminal
liability but only civil liability.
The offender, to commit malversation, must
be accountable for the funds or property
misappropriated by him. If he is not the one When private property is attached or seized
accountable but somebody else, the crime by public authority and the public officer
committed is theft. It will be qualified theft if accountable therefor misappropriates the
there is abuse of confidence. same, malversation is committed also.
Accountable officer does not refer only to Illustration:
cashier, disbursing officers or property
custodian. Any public officer having If a sheriff levied the property of the
custody of public funds or property for which defendants and absconded with it, he is not
he is accountable can commit the crime of liable of qualified theft but of malversation
malversation if he would misappropriate even though the property belonged to a
such fund or property or allow others to do private person. The seizure of the property
so. or fund impressed it with the character of
being part of the public funds it being in
custodia legis. For as long as the public
Questions & Answers officer is the one accountable for the fund or
property that was misappropriated, he can
be liable for the crime of malversation.
1. An unlicensed firearm was Absent such relation, the crime could be
confiscated by a policeman. Instead of theft, simple or qualified.
turning over the firearm to the property
custodian for the prosecution of the
offender, the policeman sold the firearm.
What crime was committed? Question & Answer
The crime committed is malversation There was a long line of payors on

because that firearm is subject to his the last day of payment for residence
accountability. Having taken custody of the certificates. Employee A of the municipality
firearm, he is supposed to account for it as placed all his collections inside his table and
evidence for the prosecution of the offender. requested his employee B to watch over his
table while he goes to the restroom. B took
2. Can the buyer be liable advantage of A’s absence and took P50.00
under the Anti-fencing law?
out of the collections. A returned and found
his money short. What crimes have been

committed?
Illustration:
A is guilty of malversation through
Municipal treasurer connives with outsiders
negligence because he did not exercise due
to make it appear that the office of the
diligence in the safekeeping of the funds
treasurer was robbed. He worked overtime
when he did not lock the drawer of his table.
and the co-conspirators barged in, hog-tied
Insofar as B is concerned, the crime is
the treasurer and made it appear that there
qualified theft.
was a robbery. Crime committed is
malversation because the municipal
treasurer was an accountable officer.
Under jurisprudence, when the public officer
leaves his post without locking his drawer,
Note that damage on the part of the
there is negligence. Thus, he is liable for
government is not considered an essential
the loss.
element. It is enough that the proprietary
rights of the government over the funds
Illustration:
have been disturbed through breach of
trust.
A government cashier did not bother to put
the public fund in the public safe/vault but
It is not necessary that the accountable
just left it in the drawer of his table which
public officer should actually misappropriate
has no lock. The next morning when he
the fund or property involved. It is enough
came back, the money was already gone.
that he has violated the trust reposed on
He was held liable for malversation through
him in connection with the property.
negligence because in effect, he has
abandoned the fund or property without any
Illustration:
safety.
(1) It is a common practice of
A private person may also commit
malversation under the following situations: government cashiers to change the
checks of their friends with cash in
(1) Conspiracy with a public officer in their custody, sometimes at a
committing malversation; discount. The public officer knows
that the check is good because the
(2) When he has become an issuer thereof is a man of name. So
accomplice or accessory to a public he changed the same with cash.
officer who commits malversation; The check turned out to be good.
(3) When the private person is made With that act of changing the cash of
the custodian in whatever capacity the government with the check of a
of public funds or property, whether private person, even though the
belonging to national or local check is good, malversation is
government, and he misappropriates committed. The reason is that a
the same; check is cleared only after three
days. During that period of three
(4) When he is constituted as the days, the government is being
depositary or administrator of funds denied the use of the public fund.
or property seized or attached by With more reason if that check
public authority even though said bounce because the government
funds or property belong to a private suffers.
individual.
(2) An accountable public officer, out of Note that the moment any money is
laziness, declares that the payment commingled with the public fund even if not
was made to him after he had due the government, it becomes impressed
cleaned his table and locked his with the characteristic of being part of public
safe for the collection of the day. A funds. Once they are commingled, you do
taxpayer came and he insisted that not know anymore which belong to the
he pay the amount so that he will not government and which belong to the private
return the next day. So he accepted persons. So that a public vault or safe
the payment but is too lazy to open should not be used to hold any fund other
the combination of the public safe. that what is due to the government.
He just pocketed the money. When
he came home, the money was still When does presumption of
in his pocket. The next day, when misappropriation arise?
he went back to the office, he
changed clothes and he claims that When a demand is made upon an
he forgot to put the money in the accountable officer and he cannot produce
new funds that he would collect the the fund or property involved, there is a
next day. Government auditors prima facie presumption that he had
came and subjected him to converted the same to his own use. There
inspection. He was found short of must be indubitable proof that thing
that amount. He claimed that it is in unaccounted for exists. Audit should be
his house -- with that alone, he was made to determine if there was shortage.
charged with malversation and was Audit must be complete and trustworthy. If
convicted. there is doubt, presumption does not arise.
Any overage or excess in the collection of Presumption arises only if at the time the
an accountable public officer should not be demand to produce the public funds was
extracted by him once it is commingled with made, the accountability of the accused is
the public funds. already determined and liquidated. A
demand upon the accused to produce the
Illustration: funds in his possession and a failure on his
part to produce the same will not bring
When taxpayers pay their accountabilities to about this presumption unless and until the
the government by way of taxes or licenses amount of his accountability is already
like registration of motor vehicles, the known.
taxpayer does not bother to collect loose
change. So the government cashier In Dumagat v. Sandiganbayan, 160 SCRA
accumulates the loose change until this 483, it was held that the prima facie
amounts to a sizable sum. In order to avoid presumption under the Revised Penal Code
malversation, the cashier did not separate arises only if there is no issue as to the
what is due the government which was left accuracy, correctness and regularity of the
to her by way of loose change. Instead, he audit findings and if the fact that public
gets all of these and keeps it in the public funds are missing is indubitably established.
vault/safe. After the payment of the taxes The audit must be thorough and complete
and licenses is through, he gets all the down to the last detail, establishing with
official receipts and takes the sum total of absolute certainty the fact that the funds are
the payment. He then opens the public indeed missing.
vault and counts the cash. Whatever will be
the excess or the overage, he gets. In this
case, malversation is committed.
In De Guzman v. People, 119 SCRA 337, it In Ciamfranca Jr. v. Sandiganbayan,

was held that in malversation, all that is where the accused in malversation could
necessary to prove is that the defendant not give reasonable and satisfactory
received in his possession the public funds explanation or excuse for the missing funds
and that he could not account for them and or property accountable by him, it was held
that he could not give a reasonable excuse that the return of the funds or property is not
for their disappearance. An accountable a defense and does not extinguish criminal
public officer may be convicted of liability.
malversation even if there is no direct
evidence of misappropriation and the only In Parungao v. Sandiganbayan, 197
evidence is the shortage in the accounts SCRA 173, it was held that a public officer
which he has not been able to explain charged with malversation cannot be
satisfactorily. convicted of technical malversation (illegal
use of public funds under Article 220). To
In Cabello v. Sandiganbaya, 197 SCRA do so would violate accused’s right to be
94, it was held it was held that malversation informed of nature of accusation against
may be committed intentionally or by him.
negligence. The dolo or culpa bringing
about the offences is only a modality in the
Technical malversation is not included in the
perpetration of the offense. The same
crime of malversation. In malversation, the
offense of malversation is involved, whether
offender misappropriates public funds or
the mode charged differs from the mode
property for his own personal use, or allows
established in the commission of the crime.
An accused charged with willful any other person to take such funds or
malversation may be convicted of property for the latter’s own personal use.
Malversation through her negligee. In technical malversation, the public officer
applies the public funds or property under
In Quizo v. Sandiganbayan, the accused his administration to another public use
incurred shortage (P1.74) mainly because different from that for which the public fund
the auditor disallowed certain cash was appropriated by law or ordinance.
advances the accused granted to Recourse: File the proper information.
employees. But on the same date that the
audit was made, he partly reimbursed the
amount and paid it in full three days later. Article 218. Failure of Accountable
Officer to Render Accounts
The Supreme Court considered the
circumstances as negative of criminal
Elements
intent. The cash advances were made in
good faith and out of good will to co-
employees which was a practice tolerated 1. Offender is public officer, whether in the
in the office. The actual cash shortage was service or separated therefrom by
only P1.74 and together with the resignation or any other cause;
disallowed advances were fully reimbursed
within a reasonable time. There was no 2. He is an accountable officer for public
negligence, malice, nor intent to defraud. funds or property;
3. He is required by law or regulation to

render account to the Commission on
Audit, or to a provincial auditor;
4. He fails to do so for a period of two

months after such accounts should Elements
be rendered.
Article 219. Failure of A Responsible
Public Officer to Render Accounts before
2. There are public funds or property under
his administration;
Leaving the Country
Elements 3. Such fund or property were appropriated

by law or ordinance;
4. He applies such public fund or property
to any public use other than for which it
2. He is an accountable officer for public
was appropriated for.
funds or property;
3. He unlawfully leaves or attempts to

Illegal use of public funds or property is also
leave the Philippine Islands without
known as technical malversation. The term
securing a certificate from the
technical malversation is used because in
Commission on Audit showing that his
this crime, the fund or property involved is
accounts have been finally settled.
already appropriated or earmarked for a
certain public purpose.
When an accountable officer leaves the
The offender is entrusted with such fund or
country without first settling his
property only to administer or apply the
accountability or otherwise securing a
same to the public purpose for which it was
clearance from the Commission on Audit
appropriated by law or ordinance. Instead
regarding such accountability, the
of applying it to the public purpose to which
implication is that he left the country
the fund or property was already
because he has misappropriated the funds
appropriated by law, the public officer
under his accountability.
applied it to another purpose.
Who can commit this crime? A responsible
Since damage is not an element of
public officer, not necessarily an
malversation, even though the application
accountable one, who leaves the country
made proved to be more beneficial to public
without first securing clearance from the
interest than the original purpose for which
Commission on Audit.
the amount or property was appropriated by
law, the public officer involved is still liable
The purpose of the law is to discourage
for technical malversation.
responsible or accountable officers from
leaving without first liquidating their
If public funds were not yet appropriated by
accountability.
law or ordinance, and this was applied to a
public purpose by the custodian thereof, the
Mere leaving without securing clearance
crime is plain and simple malversation, not
constitutes violation of the Revised Penal
technical malversation. If the funds had
Code. It is not necessary that they really
been appropriated for a particular public
misappropriated public funds.
purpose, but the same was applied to
private purpose, the crime committed is
simple malversation only.
Article 220. Illegal use of public funds or
property
Illustration:
amount because it is the payroll money of

The office lacked bond papers. What the the government laborers of a particular
government cashier did was to send the project. The occupant of the house accepted
janitor, get some money from his collection, the money for his own use. The crime is not
told the janitor to buy bond paper so that theft but malversation as long as he knew
the office will have something to use. The that what was entrusted in his custody is
amount involved maybe immaterial but the public fund or property.
cashier commits malversation pure and
simple.
This crime can also be committed by a

Question & Answer
private person.
Illustration: The sheriff, after having levied on

the property subject of a judgment,
A certain road is to be cemented. Bags of conducted a public auction sale. He
cement were already being unloaded at the received the proceeds of the public auction.
side. But then, rain began to fall so the Actually, the proceeds are to be delivered to
supervisor of the road building went to a the plaintiff. The sheriff, after deducting the
certain house with a garage, asked the sheriff’s fees due to the office, spent part of
owner if he could possibly deposit the bags that amount. He gave the balance to the
of cement in his garage to prevent the same plaintiff and executed a promissory note to
from being wet. The owner of the house, pay the plaintiff the amount spent by him. Is
Olive, agreed. So the bags of cement were there a crime committed?
transferred to the garage of the private
person. After the public officer had left, and The Supreme Court ruled that the
the workers had left because it is not sheriff committed the crime of malversation
possible to do the cementing, the owner of because the proceeds of the auction sale
the garage started using some of the was turned over to the plaintiff, such
cement in paving his own garage. The proceeds is impressed with the
crime of technical malversation is also characteristic of being part of public funds.
committed. The sheriff is accountable therefore
because he is not supposed to use any part
of such proceeds.
Note that when a private person is
constituted as the custodian in whatever
capacity, of public funds or property, and he Article 221. Failure to Make Delivery of
misappropriates the same, the crime of Public Funds of Property
malversation is also committed. See Article
222. Actspunished
Illustration: 1. Failing to make payment by a public

officer who is under obligation to
The payroll money for a government make such payment from
infrastructure project on the way to the site government funds in his possession;
of the project, the officers bringing the
money were ambushed. They were all 2. Refusing to make delivery by a
wounded. One of them, however, was able public officer who has been ordered
to get away from the scene of the ambush by competent authority to deliver any
until he reached a certain house. He told property in his custody or under his
the occupant of the house to safeguard the administration.
3. Such prisoner escapes through

negligence.
Elementsoffailuretomakepayment
1. Public officer has government funds Article 225. Escape of Prisoner under the
in his possession; Custody of a Person not a Public Officer
2. He is under obligation to make Elements

payment from such funds;
1. Offender is a private person;
3. He fails to make the payment
maliciously. 2. The conveyance or custody of a
prisoner or person under arrest is
confided to him;
Article 223. Conniving with or
Consenting to Evasion 3. The prisoner or person under arrest
escapes;
4. Offender consents to the escape, or that
2. He had in his custody or charge a the escape takes place through his
prisoner, either detention prisoner or negligence.
prisoner by final judgment;
3. Such prisoner escaped from his The crime is infidelity in the custody of
custody; prisoners if the offender involved is the
custodian of the prisoner.
4. He was in connivance with the prisoner
in the latter’s escape. If the offender who aided or consented to
the prisoner’s escaping from confinement,
whether the prisoner is a convict or a
Classesofprisonersinvolved detention prisoner, is not the custodian, the
crime is delivering prisoners from jail under
1. If the fugitive has been sentenced by Article156.
final judgment to any penalty;
The crime of infidelity in the custody of
2. If the fugitive is held only as prisoners can be committed only by the
detention prisoner for any crime or custodian of a prisoner.
violation of law or municipal
ordinance. If the jail guard who allowed the prisoner to
escape is already off-duty at that time and
he is no longer the custodian of the
Article 224. Evasion through Negligence prisoner, the crime committed by him is
delivering prisoners from jail.
Elements
Note that you do not apply here the
1. Offender is a public officer; principle of conspiracy that the act of one is
the act of all. The party who is not the
2. He is charged with the conveyance or custodian who conspired with the custodian
custody of a prisoner or prisoner by final in allowing the prisoner to escape does not
judgment; commit infidelity in the custody of the
prisoner. He commits the crime of

delivering prisoners from jail.
Where such private person, while
performing a private function by virtue of a
provision of law, shall accept any
Question & Answer consideration or gift for the non-
performance of a duty confided to him,
Bribery is also committed. So the crime
If a private person approached the
committed by him is infidelity in the custody
custodian of the prisoner and for a certain
of prisoners and bribery.
consideration, told the custodian to leave
the door of the cell unlocked for the prisoner
If the crime is delivering prisoners from jail,
to escape. What crime had been
bribery is just a means, under Article 156,
committed?
that would call for the imposition of a
heavier penalty, but not a separate charge
It is not infidelity in the custody of
of bribery under Article 156.
prisoners because as far as the private
person is concerned, this crime is delivering
But under Article 225 in infidelity, what is
prisoners from jail. The infidelity is only
basically punished is the breach of trust
committed by the custodian.
because the offender is the custodian. For
that, the crime is infidelity. If he violates the
This crime can be committed also by a
trust because of some consideration,
private person if the custody of the prisoner
bribery is also committed.
has been confided to a private person.
A higher degree of vigilance is required.
Illustration:
Failure to do so will render the custodian
liable. The prevailing ruling is against laxity
A policeman escorted a prisoner to court.
in the handling of prisoners.
After the court hearing, this policeman was
shot at with a view to liberate the prisoner
Illustration:
from his custody. The policeman fought the
attacker but he was fatally wounded. When
A prison guard accompanied the prisoner in
he could no longer control the prisoner, he
the toilet. While answering the call of
went to a nearby house, talked to the head
nature, police officer waiting there, until the
of the family of that house and asked him if
prisoner escaped. Police officer was
he could give the custody of the prisoner to
accused of infidelity.
him. He said yes. After the prisoner was
handcuffed in his hands, the policeman
There is no criminal liability because it does
expired. Thereafter, the head of the family
not constitute negligence. Negligence
of that private house asked the prisoner if
contemplated here refers to deliberate
he could afford to give something so that he
abandonment of duty.
would allow him to go. The prisoner said,
“Yes, if you would allow me to leave, you
Note, however, that according to a recent
can come with me and I will give the money
Supreme Court ruling, failure to accompany
to you.” This private persons went with the
lady prisoner in the comfort room is a case
prisoner and when the money was given,
of negligence and therefore the custodian is
he allowed him to go. What crime/s had
liable for infidelity in the custody of prisoner.
been committed?
Prison guard should not go to any other
Under Article 225, the crime can be
place not officially called for. This is a case
committed by a private person to whom the
of infidelity in the custody of prisoner
custody of a prisoner has been confided.
through negligence under Article 224.
Illustration:
Article 226. Removal, Concealment, or
Destruction of Documents If any citizen goes to a public office, desiring
to go over public records and the custodian
Elements of the records had concealed the same so
that this citizen is required to go back for the
1. Offender is a public officer; record to be taken out, the crime of infidelity
is already committed by the custodian who
2. He abstracts, destroys or conceals a removed the records and kept it in a place
document or papers; where it is not supposed to be kept. Here, it
is again the breach of public trust which is
3. Said document or papers should punished.
have been entrusted to such public
officer by reason of his office; Although there is no material damage
caused, mere delay in rendering public
4. Damage, whether serious or not, to service is considered damage.
a third party or to the public interest
has been caused. Removal of public records by the custodian
does not require that the record be brought
Crimes falling under the section on infidelity out of the premises where it is kept. It is
in the custody of public documents can only enough that the record be removed from
be committed by the public officer who is the place where it should be and transferred
made the custodian of the document in his to another place where it is not supposed to
official capacity. If the officer was placed in be kept. If damage is caused to the public
possession of the document but it is not his service, the public officer is criminally liable
duty to be the custodian thereof, this crime for infidelity in the custody of official
is not committed. documents.
Illustration: Distinction between infidelity in the custody

of public document, estafa and malicious
A letter is entrusted to a postmaster for mischief
transmission of a registered letter to
another. The postmaster opened the letter In infidelity in the custody of public
and finding the money, extracted the same. document, the offender is the
The crime committed is infidelity in the custodian of the official document
custody of the public document because removed or concealed.
under Article 226, the law refers also to
papers entrusted to public officer involved In estafa, the offender is not the
and currency note is considered to be within custodian of the document removed
the term paper although it is not a or concealed.
document.
In malicious mischief, the offender
With respect to official documents, infidelity purposely destroyed and damaged
is committed by destroying the document, the property/document.
or removing the document or concealing the
document. Where in case for bribery or corruption, the
monetary considerations was marked as
Damage to public interest is necessary. exhibits, such considerations acquires the
However, material damage is not nature of a document such that if the same
necessary. would be spent by the custodian the crime
is not malversation but Infidelity in the A crime is already committed regardless of

custody of public records, because the whether the contents of the document are
money adduced as exhibits partake the secret or private. It is enough that it is
nature of a document and not as money. entrusted to him in a sealed form or in a
Although such monetary consideration closed envelope and he broke the seal or
acquires the nature of a document, the best opened the envelop. Public trust is already
evidence rule does not apply here. violated if he managed to look into the
Example, photocopies may be presented in contents of the document.
evidence.
Distinction between infidelity and theft
Article 227. Officer Breaking Seal
There is infidelity if the offender
opened the letter but did not take the
Elements
same.
There is theft if there is intent to gain
2. He is charged with the custody of when the offender took the money.
papers or property;
Note that he document must be complete in
3. These papers or property are sealed legal sense. If the writings are mere form,
by proper authority; there is no crime.
4. He breaks the seal or permits them Illustration:

to be broken.
As regard the payroll, which has not been
signed by the Mayor, no infidelity is
If the official document is sealed or committed because the document is not yet
otherwise placed in an official envelope, the a payroll in the legal sense since the
element of damage is not required. The document has not been signed yet.
mere breaking of the seal or the mere
opening of the document would already In "breaking of seal", the word "breaking"
bring about infidelity even though no should not be given a literal meaning. Even
damage has been suffered by anyone or by if actually, the seal was not broken, because
the public at large. The offender does not the custodian managed to open the parcel
have to misappropriate the same. Just without breaking the seal.
trying to discover or look what is inside is
infidelity already.
Article 228. Opening of Closed
The act is punished because if a document Documents
is entrusted to the custody of a public officer
in a sealed or closed envelope, such public Elements
officer is supposed not to know what is
inside the same. If he would break the seal 1. Offender is a public officer;
or open the closed envelop, indications
would be that he tried to find out the 2. Any closed papers, documents, or
contents of the document. For that act, he object are entrusted to his custody;
violates the confidence or trust reposed on
him. 3. He opens or permits to be opened
said closed papers, documents or
objects;
4. He does not have proper authority. Article 230. Public Officer Revealing
Secrets of Private individual
Article 229. Revelation of Secrets by An Elements
Officer
Actspunished
2. He knows of the secrets of a private
1. Revealing any secrets known to the individual by reason of his office;
offending public officer by reason of
his official capacity; 3. He reveals such secrets without
authority or justifiable reason.
Elements
1. Offender is a public officer; Article 231. Open Disobedience
2. He knows of a secret by Elements

reason of his official capacity;
1. Officer is a judicial or executive
3. He reveals such secret officer;
without authority or justifiable
reasons; 2. There is a judgment, decision or
order of a superior authority;
4. Damage, great or small, is
caused to the public interest. 3. Such judgment, decision or order
was made within the scope of the
2. Delivering wrongfully papers or jurisdiction of the superior authority
copies of papers of which he may and issued with all the legal
have charge and which should not formalities;
be published.
4. He, without any legal justification,
Elements openly refuses to execute the said
judgment, decision or order, which
1. Offender is a public officer; he is duty bound to obey.
2. He has charge of papers;

Article 232. Disobedience to Order of
3. Those papers should not be Superior Officer When Said Order Was
published; Suspended by Inferior Officer
4. He delivers those papers or Elements

copies thereof to a third
person; 1. Offender is a public officer;
5. The delivery is wrongful; 2. An order is issued by his superior for

execution;
6. Damage is caused to public
interest. 3. He has for any reason suspended
the execution of such order;
4. His superior disapproves the as they have been properly notified by

suspension of the execution of the subpoena and they disobeyed the
order; subpoena, they can be charged always if it
can be shown that they are deliberately
5. Offender disobeys his superior refusing to appear in court.
despite the disapproval of the
suspension. It is not always a case or in connection with
the appearance in court that this crime may
be committed. Any refusal by the public
Article 233. Refusal of Assistance officer to render assistance when
demanded by competent public authority, as
1. Offender is a public officer; long as the assistance requested from them
is within their duty to render and that
2. A competent authority demands from the assistance is needed for public service, the
offender that he lend his cooperation public officers who are refusing deliberately
towards the administration of justice or may be charged with refusal of assistance.
other public service;
Note that the request must come from one
3. Offender fails to do so maliciously. public officer to another.
Illustration:
Any public officer who, upon being
requested to render public assistance within A fireman was asked by a private person for
his official duty to render and he refuses to services but was refused by the former for
render the same when it is necessary in the lack of “consideration”.
administration of justice or for public
service, may be prosecuted for refusal of It was held that the crime is not refusal of
assistance. assistance because the request did not
come from a public authority. But if the
This is a crime, which a policeman may fireman was ordered by the authority to put
commit when, being subpoenaed to appear out the fire and he refused, the crime is
in court in connection with a crime refusal of assistance.
investigated by him but because of some
arrangement with the offenders, the If he receives consideration therefore,
policeman does not appear in court bribery is committed. But mere demand will
anymore to testify against the offenders. fall under the prohibition under the provision
He tried to assail the subpoena so that of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and
ultimately the case would be dismissed. It Corrupt Practices Act).
was already held that the policeman could
be prosecuted under this crime of refusal of
assistance and not that of dereliction of Article 234. Refusal to Discharge
duty. Elective Office
Illustration: Elements
A government physician, who had been 1. Offender is elected by popular

subpoenaed to appear in court to testify in election to a public office;
connection with physical injury cases or
cases involving human lives, does not want 2. He refuses to be sworn in or to
to appear in court to testify. He may be discharge the duties of said office;
charged for refusal of assistance. As long
3. There is no legal motive for such not authorized or though authorized if

refusal to be sworn in or to executed in excess of the prescribed
discharge the duties of said office. degree.
Illustration:
Article 235. Maltreatment of Prisoners
Make him drink dirty water, sit on ice, eat on
Elements a can, make him strip, hang a sign on his
neck saying “snatcher”.
employee; But if as a result of the maltreatment,
physical injuries were caused to the
2. He has under his charge a prisoner prisoner, a separate crime for the physical
or detention prisoner;
injuries shall be filed. You do not complex
the crime of physical injuries with the
3. He maltreats such prisoner in either
maltreatment because the way Article 235 is
of the following manners:
worded, it prohibits the complexing of the
crime.
a. By overdoing himself in the
correction or handling of a
If the maltreatment was done in order to
prisoner or detention prisoner
extort confession, therefore, the
under his charge either –
constitutional right of the prisoner is further
violated. The penalty is qualified to the next
(1) By the imposition of
higher degree.
punishment not
authorized by the
The offended party here must be a prisoner
regulations; or
in the legal sense. The mere fact that a
private citizen had been apprehended or
(2) By inflicting such
arrested by a law enforcer does not
punishments (those
constitute him a prisoner. To be a prisoner,
authorized) in a cruel
he must have been booked and
and humiliating
incarcerated no matter how short it is.
manner; or
Illustration:
b. By maltreating such
prisoners to extort a
A certain snatcher was arrested by a law
confession or to obtain some
enforcer, brought to the police precinct,
information from the prisoner.
turned over to the custodian of that police
precinct. Every time a policeman entered
the police precinct, he would ask, “What is
This is committed only by such public officer
this fellow doing here? What crime has he
charged with direct custody of the prisoner.
committed?”. The other policeman would
Not all public officer can commit this
then tell, “This fellow is a snatcher.” So
offense.
every time a policeman would come in, he
would inflict injury to him. This is not
If the public officer is not the custodian of
maltreatment of prisoner because the
the prisoner, and he manhandles the latter,
offender is not the custodian. The crime is
the crime is physical injuries.
only physical injuries.
The maltreatment does not really require
But if the custodian is present there and he
physical injuries. Any kind of punishment
allowed it, then he will be liable also for the
physical injuries inflicted, but not for 4. He has not taken his oath of office
maltreatment because it was not the and/or given the bond required by
custodian who inflicted the injury. law.
But if it is the custodian who effected the
maltreatment, the crime will be Article 237. Prolonging Performance of
maltreatment of prisoners plus a separate Duties and Powers
charge for physical injuries.
Elements
If a prisoner who had already been booked
was make to strip his clothes before he was 1. Offender is holding a public office;
put in the detention cell so that when he
was placed inside the detention cell, he was 2. The period provided by law,
already naked and he used both of his regulations or special provision for
hands to cover his private part, the crime of holding such office, has already
maltreatment of prisoner had already been expired;
committed.
3. He continues to exercise the duties
After having been booked, the prisoner was and powers of such office.
made to show any sign on his arm, hand or
his neck; “Do not follow my footsteps, I am
a thief.” That is maltreatment of prisoner if Article 238. Abandonment of Office or
the offended party had already been Position
booked and incarcerated no matter how
short, as a prisoner. Elements
Before this point in time, when he is not yet 1. Offender is a public officer;
a prisoner, the act of hanging a sign on his
neck will only amount to slander because 2. He formally resigns from his
the idea is to cast dishonor. Any injury position;
inflicted upon him will only give rise to the
crime of physical injuries. 3. His resignation has not yet been
accepted;
Article 236. Anticipation of Duties of A 4. He abandons his office to the
Public Office detriment of the public service.
Elements
Article 239. Usurpation of Legislative
1. Offender is entitled to hold a public Powers
office or employment, either by
election or appointment; Elements
2. The law requires that he should first 1. Offender is an executive or judicial
be sworn in and/or should first give a officer;
bond;
2. He (a) makes general rules or
3. He assumes the performance of the regulations beyond the scope of his
duties and powers of such office; authority or (b) attempts to repeal a
law or (c) suspends the execution
thereof.
Article 243. Orders or Request by

Executive Officers to Any Judicial
Article 240. Usurpation of Executive Authority
Functions
Elements
Elements
1. Offender is an executive officer;
2. He addresses any order or
2. He (a) assumes a power pertaining suggestion to any judicial authority;
to the executive authorities, or (b)
obstructs the executive authorities in 3. The order or suggestion relates to
the lawful exercise of their powers. any case or business coming within
the exclusive jurisdiction of the
courts of justice.
Article 241. Usurpation of Judicial
Functions
Article 244. Unlawful Appointments
Elements
Elements
1. Offender is an officer of the
executive branch of the government; 1. Offender is a public officer;
2. He (a) assumes judicial powers, or 2. He nominates or appoints a person

(b) obstructs the execution of any to a public office;
order or decision rendered by any
judge within his jurisdiction. 3. Such person lacks the legal
qualifications therefore;
Article 242. Disobeying Request for 4. Offender knows that his nominee or
Disqualification appointee lacks the qualification at
the time he made the nomination or
Elements appointment.

Article 245. Abuses against Chastity
2. A proceeding is pending before such
public officer; Actspunished
3. There is a question brought before 1. Soliciting or making immoral or

the proper authority regarding his indecent advances to a woman
jurisdiction, which is not yet decided; interested in matters pending before
the offending officer for decision, or
4. He has been lawfully required to refrain with respect to which he is required
form continuing the proceeding; to submit a report to or consult with
a superior officer;
5. He continues the proceeding.
2. Soliciting or making immoral or
indecent advances to a woman
under the offender’s custody;
3. Soliciting or making immoral or offender is to make a report of result with

indecent advances to the wife, superiors or otherwise a case which the
daughter, sister or relative within the offender was investigating.
same degree by affinity of any
person in the custody of the This crime is also committed if the woman
offending warden or officer. is a prisoner and the offender is her jail
warden or custodian, or even if the prisoner
may be a man if the jail warden would make
Elements: the immoral solicitations upon the wife,
sister, daughter, or relative by affinity within
1. Offender is a public officer; the same degree of the prisoner involved.
2. He solicits or makes immoral or Three instances when this crime may arise:
indecent advances to a woman;
(1) The woman, who is the offended
3. Such woman is – party, is the party in interest in a
case where the offended is the
a. interested in matters pending investigator or he is required to
before the offender for render a report or he is required to
decision, or with respect to consult with a superior officer.
which he is required to
submit a report to or consult
with a superior officer; or This does not include any casual or
incidental interest. This refers to
b. under the custody of the interest in the subject of the case
offender who is a warden or under investigation.
other public officer directly
charged with the care and If the public officer charged with the
custody of prisoners or investigation or with the rendering of
persons under arrest; or the report or with the giving of
advice by way of consultation with a
c. the wife, daughter, sister or superior, made some immoral or
relative within the same indecent solicitation upon such
degree by affinity of the woman, he is taking advantage of
person in the custody of the his position over the case. For that
offender. immoral or indecent solicitation, a
crime is already committed even if
the woman did not accede to the
The name of the crime is misleading. It solicitation.
implies that the chastity of the offended
party is abused but this is not really the Even if the woman may have lied
essence of the crime because the essence with the hearing officer or to the
of the crime is mere making of immoral or public officer and acceded to him,
indecent solicitation or advances. that does not change the crime
because the crime seeks to penalize
Illustration: the taking advantage of official
duties.
Mere indecent solicitation or advances of a
woman over whom the public officer It is immaterial whether the woman
exercises a certain influence because the did not agree or agreed to the
woman is involved in a case where the solicitation. If the woman did not
agree and the public officer involved determined and the crime is
pushed through with the advances, committed.
attempted rape may have been
committed. (2) A jailer was prosecuted for
abuse against chastity. The
(2) The woman who is the offended jailer said, “It was mutual on
party in the crime is a prisoner under their part. I did not really
the custody of a warden or the jailer force my way upon the
who is the offender. woman. The woman fell in
love with me, I fell in love
If the warden or jailer of the woman with the woman.” The
should make immoral or indecent woman became pregnant.
advances to such prisoner, this The woman admitted that
crime is committed. she was not forced. Just the
same, the jailer was
This crime cannot be committed if convicted of abuse against
the warden is a woman and the chastity.
prisoner is a man. Men have no
chastity. Legally, a prisoner is an
accountability of the government.
If the warden is also a woman but is So the custodian is not supposed to
a lesbian, it is submitted that this interfere. Even if the prisoner may
crime could be committed, as the like it, he is not supposed to do that.
law does not require that the Otherwise, abuse against chastity is
custodian be a man but requires that committed.
the offended be a woman. Being responsible for the pregnancy
is itself taking advantage the
Immoral or indecent advances prisoner.
contemplated here must be
persistent. It must be determined. A If he forced himself against the will
mere joke would not suffice. of the woman, another crime is
committed, that is, rape aside from
Illustrations: abuse against chastity.
(1) An investigating prosecutor You cannot consider the abuse

where the woman is charged against chastity as absorbed in the
with estafa as the rape because the basis of penalizing
respondent, made a remark the acts is different from each other.
to the woman, thus: “You
know, the way of deciding (3) The crime is committed upon a
this case depends on me. I female relative of a prisoner under
can just say this is civil in the custody of the offender, where
character. I want to see a the woman is the daughter, sister or
movie tonight and I want a relative by affinity in the same line
companion.” Such a remark, as of the prisoner under the custody
which is not discerned if not of the offender who made the
persistent will not give rise to indecent or immoral solicitation.
this crime. However, if the
prosecutor kept on calling The mother is not included so that
the woman and inviting her, any immoral or indecent solicitation
that makes the act upon the mother of the prisoner
does not give rise to this crime, but

the offender may be prosecuted Crimesagainstpersons
under the Section 28 of Republic Act
No. 3019 (Anti-graft and Corrupt 1. Parricide (Art. 246);
Practices Act).
2. Murder (Art. 248);
Why is the mother left out?
Because it is the mother who easily 3. Homicide (Art. 249);
succumbs to protect her child.
4. Death caused in a tumultuous affray
If the offender were not the (Art. 251);
custodian, then crime would fall
under Republic Act No. 3019 (The 5. Physical injuries inflicted in a
Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices tumultuous affray (Art. 252);
Act).
6. Giving assistance to suicide (Art.
Republic Act No. 7877 (Anti-Sexual 253);
Harassment Act)
7. Discharge of firearms (Art. 254);
Committed by any person having authority,
influence or moral ascendancy over another 8. Infanticide (Art. 255);
in a work, training or education environment
when he or she demands, requests, or 9. Intentional abortion (Art. 256);
otherwise requires any sexual favor from
the other regardless of whether the 10. Unintentional abortion (Art. 257);
demand, request or requirement for
submission is accepted by the object of the 11. Abortion practiced by the woman
said act (for a passing grade, or granting of herself or by her parents (Art. 258);
scholarship or honors, or payment of a
stipend, allowances, benefits, 12. Abortion practiced by a physician or
considerations; favorable compensation midwife and dispensing of abortives
terms, conditions, promotions or when the (Art. 259);
refusal to do so results in a detrimental
consequence for the victim). 13. Duel (Art. 260);
Also holds liable any person who directs or 14. Challenging to a duel (Art. 261);
induces another to commit any act of sexual
harassment, or who cooperates in the 15. Mutilation (Art. 262);
commission, the head of the office,
educational or training institution solidarily. 16. Serious physical injuries (Art. 263);
Complaints to be handled by a committee 17. Administering injurious substances

on decorum, which shall be determined by or beverages (Art. 264);
rules and regulations on such.
18. Less serious physical injuries (Art.
Administrative sanctions shall not be a bar 265);
to prosecution in the proper courts for
unlawful acts of sexual harassment. 19. Slight physical injuries and
maltreatment (Art. 266); and
TITLE VIII. CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS 20. Rape (Art. 266-A).

spouses, even though they are not related

by blood, it is also parricide.
The essence of crime here involves the
taking of human life, destruction of the fetus The relationship must be in the direct line
or inflicting injuries. and not in the collateral line.
As to the taking of human life, you have: The relationship between the offender and
the offended party must be legitimate,
(1) Parricide; except when the offender and the offended
party are related as parent and child.
(2) Murder;
If the offender and the offended party,
(3) Homicide; although related by blood and in the direct
line, are separated by an intervening
(4) Infanticide; and illegitimate relationship, parricide can no
longer be committed. The illegitimate
(5) Giving assistance to suicide. relationship between the child and the
parent renders all relatives after the child in
Note that parricide is premised on the the direct line to be illegitimate too.
relationship between the offender and the
offended. The victim is three days old or The only illegitimate relationship that can
older. A stranger who conspires with the bring about parricide is that between
parent is guilty of murder. parents and illegitimate children as the
offender and the offended parties.
In infanticide, the victim is younger than
three days or 72 hours old; can be Illustration:
committed by a stranger. If a stranger who
conspires with parent, both commit the A is the parent of B, the illegitimate
crime of infanticide. daughter. B married C and they begot a
legitimate child D. If D, daughter of B and
C, would kill A, the grandmother, the crime
Article 246. Parricide cannot be parricide anymore because of the
intervening illegitimacy. The relationship
Elements between A and D is no longer legitimate.
Hence, the crime committed is homicide or
1. A person is killed; murder.
2. The deceased is killed by the Since parricide is a crime of relationship, if a

accused; stranger conspired in the commission of the
crime, he cannot be held liable for parricide.
3. The deceased is the father, mother, His participation would make him liable for
or child, whether legitimate or murder or for homicide, as the case may
illegitimate, or a legitimate other be. The rule of conspiracy that the act of
ascendant or other descendant, or one is the act of all does not apply here
the legitimate spouse, of the because of the personal relationship of the
accused. offender to the offended party.
Illustration:
This is a crime committed between people
who are related by blood. Between A spouse of B conspires with C to kill B. C
is the stranger in the relationship. C killed B
with treachery. The means employed is infanticide and intent to conceal her
made known to A and A agreed that the dishonor is considered mitigating.
killing will be done by poisoning.
As far as A is concerned, the crime is based Article 247. Death or Physical Injuries
on his relationship with B. It is therefore Inflicted under Exceptional
parricide. The treachery that was employed Circumstances
in killing Bong will only be generic
aggravating circumstance in the crime of Elements
parricide because this is not one crime that
requires a qualifying circumstance. 1. A legally married person, or a
parent, surprises his spouse or his
But that same treachery, insofar as C is daughter, the latter under 18 years
concerned, as a stranger who cooperated in of age and living with him, in the act
the killing, makes the crime murder; of committing sexual intercourse
treachery becomes a qualifying with another person;
circumstance.
2. He or she kills any or both of them,
In killing a spouse, there must be a valid or inflicts upon any or both of them
subsisting marriage at the time of the killing. any serious physical injury in the act
Also, the information should allege the fact or immediately thereafter;
of such valid marriage between the accused
and the victim. 3. He has not promoted or facilitated
the prostitution of his wife or
In a ruling by the Supreme Court, it was daughter, or that he or she has not
held that if the information did not allege consented to the infidelity of the
that the accused was legally married to the other spouse.
victim, he could not be convicted of
parricide even if the marriage was
established during the trial. In such cases, Two stages contemplated before the article
relationship shall be appreciated as generic will apply:
aggravating circumstance.
(1) When the offender surprised the
The Supreme Court has also ruled that other spouse with a paramour or
Muslim husbands with several wives can be mistress. The attack must take
convicted of parricide only in case the first place while the sexual intercourse is
wife is killed. There is no parricide if the going on. If the surprise was before
other wives are killed although their or after the intercourse, no matter
marriage is recognized as valid. This is so how immediate it may be, Article
because a Catholic man can commit the 247 does not apply. The offender in
crime only once. If a Muslim husband could this situation only gets the benefit of
commit this crime more than once, in effect, a mitigating circumstance, that is,
he is being punished for the marriage which sufficient provocation immediately
the law itself authorized him to contract. preceding the act.
That the mother killed her child in order to (2) When the offender kills or inflicts
conceal her dishonor is not mitigating. This serious physical injury upon the
is immaterial to the crime of parricide, unlike other spouse and/or paramour while
in the case of infanticide. If the child is less in the act of intercourse, or
than three days old when killed, the crime is immediately thereafter, that is, after
surprising.
If there was already a break of time

You have to divide the stages because as between the sexual act and the killing or
far as the first stage is concerned, it does inflicting of the injury, the law presupposes
not admit of any situation less than sexual that the offender regained his reason and
intercourse. therefore, the article will not apply anymore.
So if the surprising took place before any As long as the act is continuous, the article
actual sexual intercourse could be done still applies.
because the parties are only in their
preliminaries, the article cannot be invoked Where the accused surprised his wife and
anymore. his paramour in the act of illicit intercourse,
as a result of which he went out to kill the
If the surprising took place after the actual paramour in a fit of passionate outburst.
sexual intercourse was finished, even if the Although about one hour had passed
act being performed indicates no other between the time the accused discovered
conclusion but that sexual intercourse was his wife having sexual intercourse with the
had, the article does not apply. victim and the time the latter was actually
killed, it was held in People v. Abarca, 153
As long as the surprising took place while SCRA 735, that Article 247 was applicable,
the sexual intercourse was going on, the as the shooting was a continuation of the
second stage becomes immaterial. pursuit of the victim by the accused. Here,
the accused, after the discovery of the act
It is either killing or inflicting physical injuries of infidelity of his wife, looked for a firearm
while in that act or immediately thereafter. in Tacloban City.
If the killing was done while in that act, no
problem. If the killing was done when Article 247 does not provide that the victim
sexual intercourse is finished, a problem is to be killed instantly by the accused after
arises. First, were they surprised in actual surprising his spouse in the act of
sexual intercourse? Second, were they intercourse. What is required is that the
killed immediately thereafter? killing is the proximate result of the outrage
overwhelming the accused upon the
The phrase “immediately thereafter” has discovery of the infidelity of his spouse.
been interpreted to mean that between the The killing should have been actually
surprising and the killing of the inflicting of motivated by the same blind impulse.
the physical injury, there should be no break
of time. In other words, it must be a Illustration:
continuous process.
A upon coming home, surprised his wife, B,
The article presumes that a legally married together with C. The paramour was fast
person who surprises his or her better half enough to jump out of the window. A got
in actual sexual intercourse would be the bolo and chased C but he disappeared
overcome by the obfuscation he felt when among the neighborhood. So A started
he saw them in the act that he lost his head. looking around for about an hour but he
The law, thus, affords protection to a could not find the paramour. A gave up and
spouse who is considered to have acted in was on his way home. Unfortunately, the
a justified outburst of passion or a state of paramour, thinking that A was no longer
mental disequilibrium. The offended around, came out of hiding and at that
spouse has no time to regain his self- moment, A saw him and hacked him to
control. death. There was a break of time and
Article 247 does not apply anymore
because when he gave up the search, it is a
circumstance showing that his anger had

banishment is intended more for the
already died down.
protection of the offender rather than a
penalty.
Article 247, far from defining a felony
merely grants a privilege or benefit, more of
If the crime committed is less serious
an exempting circumstance as the penalty
physical injuries or slight physical injuries,
is intended more for the protection of the
there is no criminal liability.
accused than a punishment. Death under
exceptional character can not be qualified
The article does not apply where the wife
by either aggravating or mitigating
was not surprised in flagrant adultery but
circumstances.
was being abused by a man as in this case
there will be defense of relation.
In the case of People v. Abarca, 153 SCRA
735, two persons suffered physical injuries
If the offender surprised a couple in sexual
as they were caught in the crossfire when
the accused shot the victim. A complex intercourse, and believing the woman to be
crime of double frustrated murder was not his wife, killed them, this article may be
committed as the accused did not have the applied if the mistake of facts is proved.
intent to kill the two victims. Here, the
accused did not commit murder when he The benefits of this article do not apply to
fired at the paramour of his wife. Inflicting the person who consented to the infidelity of
death under exceptional circumstances is his spouse or who facilitated the prostitution
not murder. The accused was held liable of his wife.
for negligence under the first part, second
paragraph of Article 365, that is, less The article is also made available to parents
serious physical injuries through simple who shall surprise their daughter below 18
negligence. No aberratio ictus because he years of age in actual sexual intercourse
was acting lawfully. while “living with them.” The act should
have been committed by the daughter with
A person who acts under Article 247 is not a seducer. The two stages also apply. The
committing a crime. Since this is merely an parents cannot invoke this provision if, in a
exempting circumstance, the accused must way, they have encouraged the prostitution
first be charged with: of the daughter.
(1) Parricide – if the spouse is killed; The phrase “living with them” is understood
to be in their own dwelling, because of the
(2) Murder or homicide – depending on embarrassment and humiliation done not
how the killing was done insofar as only to the parent but also to the parental
the paramour or the mistress is abode.
concerned;
If it was done in a motel, the article does not
(3) Homicide – through simple apply.
negligence, if a third party is killed;
Illustration:
(4) Physical injuries – through reckless
imprudence, if a third party is A abandoned his wife B for two years. To
injured. support their children, A had to accept a
relationship with another man. A learned of
If death results or the physical injuries are this, and surprised them in the act of sexual
serious, there is criminal liability although intercourse and killed B. A is not entitled to
the penalty is only destierro. The Article 248. Having abandoned his family for
two years, it was natural for her to feel
some affection for others, more so of a man

who could help her.
Article 248. Murder
Homicide committed under exceptional
Elements
circumstances, although punished with
destierro, is within the jurisdiction of the
1. A person was killed;
Regional Trial Court and not the MTC
because the crime charged is homicide or
2. Accused killed him;
murder. The exceptional circumstances, not
being elements of the crime but a matter of
3. The killing was attended by any of
defense, are not pleaded. It practically
the following qualifying
grants a privilege amounting to an
circumstances –
exemption for adequate punishment.
a. With treachery, taking
advantage of superior
strength, with the aid or
armed men, or employing
means to waken the defense,
or of means or persons to
insure or afford impunity;
b. In consideration of a price,
reward or promise;
c. By means of inundation, fire,

poison, explosion, shipwreck,
stranding of a vessel,
derailment or assault upon a
railroad, fall of an airship, by
means of motor vehicles, or
with the use of any other
means involving great waste
and ruin;
d. On occasion of any of the

calamities enumerated in the
preceding paragraph, or of
an earthquake, eruption of a
volcano, destructive cyclone,
epidemic, or any other public
calamity;
e. With evident premeditation;
f. With cruelty, by deliberately

and inhumanly augmenting
the suffering of the victim, or
outraging or scoffing at his
person or corpse.
4. The killing is not parricide or constituting treachery, in which case

infanticide. the crime is murder.
The essence of treachery is that the

Homicide is qualified to murder if any of the offended party was denied the
qualifying circumstances under Article 248 chance to defend himself because of
is present. It is the unlawful killing of a the means, methods, form in
person not constituting murder, parricide or executing the crime deliberately
infanticide. adopted by the offender. It is a
matter of whether or not the
In murder, any of the following qualifying
offended party was denied the
circumstances is present:
chance of defending himself.
(1) Treachery, taking advantage of
If the offended was denied the
superior strength, aid or armed men,
chance to defend himself, treachery
or employing means to waken the
qualifies the killing to murder. If
defense, or of means or persons to
despite the means resorted to by the
insure or afford impunity;
offender, the offended was able to
put up a defense, although
There is treachery when the
unsuccessful, treachery is not
offender commits any of the crimes
available. Instead, some other
against the person employing
circumstance may be present.
means, methods or forms in the
Consider now whether such other
execution thereof that tend directly
circumstance qualifies the killing or
and especially to insure its execution
not.
without risk to himself arising from
the defense which the offended
Illustration:
party might make.
If the offender used superior
This circumstance involves means,
strength and the victim was denied
methods, form in the execution of
the chance to defend himself, there
the killing which may actually be an
is treachery. The treachery must be
aggravating circumstance also, in
alleged in the information. But if the
which case, the treachery absorbs
victim was able to put up an
the same.
unsuccessful resistance, there is no
more treachery but the use of
Illustration:
superior strength can be alleged and
it also qualifies the killing to murder.
A person who is determined to kill
resorted to the cover of darkness at
One attendant qualifying
nighttime to insure the killing.
circumstance is enough. If there are
Nocturnity becomes a means that
more than one qualifying
constitutes treachery and the killing
circumstance alleged in the
would be murder. But if the
information for murder, only one
aggravating circumstance of
circumstance will qualify the killing to
nocturnity is considered by itself, it is
murder and the other circumstances
not one of those which qualify a
will be taken as generic.
homicide to murder. One might
think the killing is homicide unless
To be considered qualifying, the
nocturnity is considered as
particular circumstance must be
alleged in the information. If what
was alleged was not proven and with both arms and legs around the
instead another circumstance, not tree. They thought they would give
alleged, was established during the him a lesson by whipping him with
trial, even if the latter constitutes a
branches of gumamela until the
qualifying circumstance under Article
victim fell unconscious. The
248, the same can not qualify the
accused left not knowing that the
killing to murder. The accused can
victim died.
only be convicted of homicide.
The crime committed was murder.
Generally, murder cannot be
The accused deprived the victim of
committed if at the beginning, the
the chance to defend himself when
offended had no intent to kill
the latter was tied to a tree.
because the qualifying
Treachery is a circumstance
circumstances must be resorted to
referring to the manner of
with a view of killing the offended
committing the crime. There was no
party. So if the killing were at the
risk to the accused arising from the
“spur of the moment”, even though
defense by the victim.
the victim was denied the chance to
defend himself because of the
Although what was initially intended
suddenness of the attack, the crime
was physical injury, the manner
would only be homicide. Treachery
adopted by the accused was
contemplates that the means,
treacherous and since the victim
methods and form in the execution
died as a consequence thereof, the
were consciously adopted and
crime is murder -- although
deliberately resorted to by the
originally, there was no intent to kill.
offender, and were not merely
incidental to the killing.
When the victim is already dead,
intent to kill becomes irrelevant. It is
If the offender may have not
important only if the victim did not
intended to kill the victim but he only
die to determine if the felony is
wanted to commit a crime against
physical injury or attempted or
him in the beginning, he will still be
frustrated homicide.
liable for murder if in the manner of
committing the felony there was
So long as the means, methods and
treachery and as a consequence
form in the execution is deliberately
thereof the victim died. This is
adopted, even if there was no intent
based on the rule that a person
to kill, there is treachery.
committing a felony shall be liable
for the consequences thereof
(2) In consideration of price, reward or
although different from that which he
promises;
intended.
(3) Inundation, fire, poison, explosion,
Illustration:
shipwreck, stranding of a vessel,
derailment or assault upon a street
The accused, three young men,
car or locomotive, fall of an airship,
resented the fact that the victim
by means of a motor vehicle, or with
continued to visit a girl in their
the use of other means involving
neighborhood despite the warning
great waste and ruin;
they gave him. So one evening,
after the victim had visited the girl,
The only problem insofar as the
they seized and tied him to a tree,
killing by fire is concerned is whether
it would be arson with homicide, or

imprudence. Samson only guilty of
murder.
homicide, with the mitigating
circumstance of no intention to
When a person is killed by fire, the
commit so grave a wrong. There
primordial criminal intent of the
was no animosity between the two
offender is considered. If the
accused and the victim such that it
primordial criminal intent of the
cannot be said that they resort to fire
offender is to kill and fire was only
to kill him. It was merely a part of
used as a means to do so, the crime
their fun making but because their
is only murder. If the primordial
acts were felonious, they are
criminal intent of the offender is to
criminally liable.
destroy property with the use of
pyrotechnics and incidentally,
(4) On occasion of any of the calamities
somebody within the premises is
enumerated in the preceding
killed, the crime is arson with
paragraph c, or an earthquake,
homicide. But this is not a complex
eruption of volcano, destructive
crime under Article 48. This is single
cyclone, epidemic or any other
indivisible crime penalized under
public calamity;
Article 326, which is death as a
consequence of arson. That
(5) Evident premeditation; and
somebody died during such fire
would not bring about murder
(6) Cruelty, by deliberately and
because there is no intent to kill in
inhumanly augmenting the suffering
the mind of the offender. He
of the victim, or outraging or scoffing
intended only to destroy property.
at his person or corpse.
However, a higher penalty will be
applied.
Cruelty includes the situation where
the victim is already dead and yet,
In People v. Pugay and Samson,
acts were committed which would
167 SCRA 439, there was a town
decry or scoff the corpse of the
fiesta and the two accused were at
victim. The crime becomes murder.
the town plaza with their
companions. All were uproariously
Hence, this is not actually limited to
happy, apparently drenched with
cruelty. It goes beyond that because
drink. Then, the group saw the
even if the victim is already a corpse
victim, a 25 year old retard walking
when the acts deliberately
nearby and they made him dance by
augmenting the wrong done to him
tickling his sides with a piece of
were committed, the killing is still
wood. The victim and the accused
qualified to murder although the acts
Pugay were friends and, at times,
done no longer amount to cruelty.
slept in the same place together.
Having gotten bored with their form
Under Article 14, the generic
of entertainment, accused Pugay
aggravating circumstance of cruelty
went and got a can of gasoline and
requires that the victim be alive,
poured it all over the retard. Then,
when the cruel wounds were
the accused Samson lit him up,
inflicted and, therefore, must be
making him a frenzied, shrieking
evidence to that effect. Yet, in
human torch. The retard died.
murder, aside from cruelty, any act
It was held that Pugay was guilty of that would amount to scoffing or
homicide through reckless decrying the corpse of the victim will
qualify the killing to murder.
(6) Killing of the victims hit by hand

Illustration: grenade thrown at them is murder
qualified by explosion not by
Two people engaged in a quarrel treachery.
and they hacked each other, one
killing the other. Up to that point, the (7) Where the accused housemaid
crime is homicide. However, if the gagged a three year old boy, son of
killer tried to dismember the different her master, with stockings, placed
parts of the body of the victim, him in a box with head down and
indicative of an intention to scoff at legs upward and covered the box
or decry or humiliate the corpse of with some sacks and other boxes,
the victim, then what would have and the child instantly died because
murder because this circumstance is of suffocation, and then the accused
recognized under Article 248, even demanded ransom from the parents,
though it was inflicted or was such did not convert the offense into
committed when the victim was kidnapping with murder. The
already dead. accused was well aware that the
child could be suffocated to death in
The following are holdings of the Supreme a few minutes after she left.
Court with respect to the crime of murder: Ransom was only a part of the
diabolical scheme to murder the
(1) Killing of a child of tender age is child, to conceal his body and then
murder qualified by treachery demand money before discovery of
because the weakness of the child the body.
due to his tender age results in the
absence of any danger to the The essence of kidnapping or serious illegal
aggressor. detention is the actual confinement or
restraint of the victim or deprivation of his
(2) Evident premeditation is absorbed in liberty. If there is no showing that the
price, reward or promise, if without accused intended to deprive their victims of
the premeditation the inductor would their liberty for some time and there being
not have induced the other to no appreciable interval between their being
commit the act but not as regards taken and their being shot, murder and not
the one induced. kidnapping with murder is committed.
(3 Abuse of superior strength is

inherent in and comprehended by
the circumstance of treachery or
forms part of treachery.
(4) Treachery is inherent in poison.
(5) Where one of the accused, who

were charged with murder, was the
wife of the deceased but here
relationship to the deceased was not
alleged in the information, she also
should be convicted of murder but
the relationship should be
appreciated as aggravating.
Article 249. Homicide committed will be serious physical

injuries through reckless imprudence
Elements as the element of intent to kill in
frustrated homicide is incompatible
1. A person was killed; with negligence or imprudence.
2. Offender killed him without any (4) Where the intent to kill is not
justifying circumstances;
manifest, the crime committed has
been generally considered as
3. Offender had the intention to kill,
physical injuries and not attempted
which is presumed;
or frustrated murder or homicide.
4. The killing was not attended by any
(5) When several assailants not acting
of the qualifying circumstances of
in conspiracy inflicted wounds on a
murder, or by that of parricide or
victim but it cannot be determined
infanticide.
who inflicted which would which
caused the death of the victim, all
are liable for the victim’s death.
Homicide is the unlawful killing of a person
not constituting murder, parricide or
Note that while it is possible to have a crime
infanticide.
of homicide through reckless imprudence, it
is not possible to have a crime of frustrated
Distinction between homicide and physical
homicide through reckless imprudence.
injuries:
In attempted or frustrated homicide, there is

Article 251. Death Caused in A
intent to kill.
Tumultuous Affray
In physical injuries, there is none. However,
Elements
if as a result of the physical injuries inflicted,
the victim died, the crime will be homicide
1. There are several persons;
because the law punishes the result, and
not the intent of the act.
2. They do not compose groups
The following are holdings of the Supreme organized for the common purpose
Court with respect to the crime of homicide: of assaulting and attacking each
other reciprocally;
(1) Physical injuries are included as one
3. These several persons quarreled
of the essential elements of and assaulted one another in a
frustrated homicide. confused and tumultuous manner;
(2) If the deceased received two 4. Someone was killed in the course of
wounds from two persons acting the affray;
independently of each other and the
wound inflicted by either could have 5. It can not be ascertained who
caused death, both of them are actually killed the deceased;
liable for the death of the victim and
each of them is guilty of homicide. 6. The person or persons who inflicted
serious physical injuries or who used
(3) If the injuries were mortal but were violence can be identified.
only due to negligence, the crime
(3) If nobody could still be traced to

have employed violence upon the
Tumultuous affray simply means a victim, nobody will answer. The
commotion in a tumultuous and confused crimes committed might be
manner, to such an extent that it would not disturbance of public order, or if
be possible to identify who the killer is if participants are armed, it could be
death results, or who inflicted the serious tumultuous disturbance, or if
physical injury, but the person or persons property was destroyed, it could be
who used violence are known. malicious mischief.
It is not a tumultuous affray which brings The fight must be tumultuous. The
about the crime; it is the inability to participants must not be members of an
ascertain actual perpetrator. It is necessary organized group. This is different from a
that the very person who caused the death rumble which involves organized groups
can not be known, not that he can not be composed of persons who are to attack
identified. Because if he is known but only others. If the fight is between such groups,
his identity is not known, then he will be even if you cannot identify who, in
charged for the crime of homicide or murder particular, committed the killing, the adverse
under a fictitious name and not death in a party composing the organized group will
tumultuous affray. If there is a conspiracy, be collectively charged for the death of that
this crime is not committed. person.
To be considered death in a tumultuous Illustration:

affray, there must be:
If a fight ensued between 20 Sigue-Sigue
(1) a quarrel, a free-for-all, which Gang men and 20 Bahala-Na- Gang men,
should not involve organized group; and in the course thereof, one from each
and group was killed, the crime would be
homicide or murder; there will be collective
(2) someone who is injured or killed responsibility on both sides. Note that the
because of the fight. person killed need not be a participant in
the fight.
As long as it cannot be determined who
killed the victim, all of those persons who
inflicted serious physical injuries will be Article 252. Physical Injuries Inflicted in
collectively answerable for the death of that A Tumultuous Affray
fellow.
Elements
The Revised Penal Code sets priorities as
to who may be liable for the death or 1. There is a tumultuous affray;
physical injury in tumultuous affray:
2. A participant or some participants
(1) The persons who inflicted serious thereof suffered serious physical
physical injury upon the victim; injuries or physical injuries of a less
serious nature only;
(2) If they could not be known, then
anyone who may have employed 3. The person responsible thereof can
violence on that person will answer not be identified;
for his death.
4. All those who appear to have used

violence upon the person of the If the intention is not to commit suicide, as
offended party are known. when he just wanted to have a picture taken
of him to impress upon the world that he is
committing suicide because he is not
If in the course of the tumultuous affray, satisfied with the government, the crime is
only serious or less serious physical injuries held to be inciting to sedition.
are inflicted upon a participant, those who
used violence upon the person of the He becomes a co-conspirator in the crime
offended party shall be held liable. of inciting to sedition, but not of giving
assistance to suicide because the
In physical injuries caused in a tumultuous assistance must be given to one who is
affray, the conditions are also the same. really determined to commit suicide.
But you do not have a crime of physical
injuries resulting from a tumultuous affray if If the person does the killing himself, the
the physical injury is only slight. The penalty is similar to that of homicide, which
physical injury should be serious or less is reclusion temporal. There can be no
serious and resulting from a tumultuous qualifying circumstance because the
affray. So anyone who may have employed determination to die must come from the
violence will answer for such serious or less victim. This does not contemplate
serious physical injury. euthanasia or mercy killing where the crime
is homicide (if without consent; with
If the physical injury sustained is only slight, consent, covered by Article 253).
this is considered as inherent in a
tumultuous affray. The offended party
cannot complain if he cannot identify who The following are holdings of the Supreme
inflicted the slight physical injuries on him. Court with respect to this crime:
(1) The crime is frustrated if the

Article 253. Giving Assistance to Suicide offender gives the assistance by
doing the killing himself as firing
Actspunished upon the head of the victim but who
did not die due to medical
1. Assisting another to commit suicide, assistance.
whether the suicide is consummated
or not; (2) The person attempting to commit
suicide is not liable if he survives.
2. Lending his assistance to another to The accused is liable if he kills the
commit suicide to the extent of doing victim, his sweetheart, because of a
the killing himself. suicide pact.
In other penal codes, if the person who

Giving assistance to suicide means giving wanted to die did not die, there is liability on
means (arms, poison, etc.) or whatever his part because there is public disturbance
manner of positive and direct cooperation committed by him. Our Revised Penal
(intellectual aid, suggestions regarding the Code is silent but there is no bar against
mode of committing suicide, etc.). accusing the person of disturbance of public
order if indeed serious disturbance of public
In this crime, the intention must be for the peace occurred due to his attempt to
person who is asking the assistance of commit suicide. If he is not prosecuted, this
another to commit suicide.
is out of pity and not because he has not serious physical injury with illegal
violated the Revised Penal Code. discharge of firearm will apply.
In mercy killing, the victim is not in a (2) Firing a gun at a person even if
position to commit suicide. Whoever would merely to frighten him constitutes
heed his advice is not really giving illegal discharge of firearm.
assistance to suicide but doing the killing
himself. In giving assistance to suicide, the
principal actor is the person committing the Article 255. Infanticide
suicide.
Elements
Both in euthanasia and suicide, the
intention to the end life comes from the
1. A child was killed by the accused;
victim himself; otherwise the article does
not apply. The victim must persistently
induce the offender to end his life. If there is
2. The deceased child was less than
72 hours old.
only slight persuasion to end his life, and the
offender readily assented thereto.
This is a crime based on the age of the
victim. The victim should be less than three
Article 254. Discharge of Firearms
days old.
1. Offender discharges a firearm against or The offender may actually be the parent of
at another person;
the child. But you call the crime infanticide,
not parricide, if the age of the victim is less
2. Offender had no intention to kill that than three days old. If the victim is three
person. days old or above, the crime is parricide.
Illustration:
This crime cannot be committed through
imprudence because it requires that the An unmarried woman, A, gave birth to a
discharge must be directed at another. child, B. To conceal her dishonor, A
conspired with C to dispose of the child. C
If the firearm is directed at a person and the agreed and killed the child B by burying the
trigger was pressed but did not fire, the child somewhere.
crime is frustrated discharge of firearm.
If the child was killed when the age of the
If the discharge is not directed at a person, child was three days old and above already,
the crime may constitute alarm and the crime of A is parricide. The fact that the
scandal. killing was done to conceal her dishonor will
not mitigate the criminal liability anymore
The following are holdings of the Supreme because concealment of dishonor in killing
Court with respect to this crime: the child is not mitigating in parricide.
(1) If serious physical injuries resulted If the crime committed by A is parricide
from discharge, the crime committed because the age of the child is three days
is the complex crime of serious old or above, the crime of the co-
physical injury with illegal discharge conspirator C is murder. It is not parricide
of firearm, or if less serious physical because he is not related to the victim.
injury, the complex crime of less
If the child is less than three days old when accused otherwise acts upon such
killed, both the mother and the stranger pregnant woman;
commits infanticide because infanticide is
not predicated on the relation of the 3. As a result of the use of violence or
offender to the offended party but on the drugs or beverages upon her, or any
age of the child. In such a case, other act of the accused, the fetus dies,
concealment of dishonor as a motive for the either in the womb or after having been
mother to have the child killed is mitigating. expelled therefrom;
Concealment of dishonor is not an element 4. The abortion is intended.
of infanticide. It merely lowers the penalty.
If the child is abandoned without any intent
to kill and death results as a consequence, Abortion is the violent expulsion of a fetus
the crime committed is not infanticide but from the maternal womb. If the fetus has
abandonment under Article 276. been delivered but it could not subsist by
itself, it is still a fetus and not a person.
If the purpose of the mother is to conceal Thus, if it is killed, the crime committed is
her dishonor, infanticide through abortion not infanticide.
imprudence is not committed because the
purpose of concealing the dishonor is Distinction between infanticide and abortion
incompatible with the absence of malice in
culpable felonies. It is infanticide if the victim is already a
person less that three days old or 72 hours
If the child is born dead, or if the child is and is viable or capable of living separately
already dead, infanticide is not committed. from the mother’s womb.
It is abortion if the victim is not viable but

Article 256. Intentional Abortion remains to be a fetus.
Actspunished
Abortion is not a crime against the woman
1. Using any violence upon the person but against the fetus. If mother as a
of the pregnant woman; consequence of abortion suffers death or
physical injuries, you have a complex crime
2. Acting, but without using violence, of murder or physical injuries and abortion.
without the consent of the woman.
(By administering drugs or In intentional abortion, the offender must
beverages know of the pregnancy because the
upon such pregnant particular criminal intention is to cause an
woman without her consent.) abortion. Therefore, the offender must
have known of the pregnancy for otherwise,
3. Acting (by administering drugs or he would not try an abortion.
beverages), with the consent of the
pregnant woman. If the woman turns out not to be pregnant
and someone performs an abortion upon
her, he is liable for an impossible crime if the
Elements woman suffers no physical injury. If she
does, the crime will be homicide, serious
1. There is a pregnant woman; physical injuries, etc.
2. Violence is exerted, or drugs or
beverages administered, or that the
Under the Article 40 of the Civil Code, birth imposed upon the woman who practiced
determines personality. A person is the abortion upon herself .
considered born at the time when the
umbilical cord is cut. He then acquires a Frustrated abortion is committed if the fetus
personality separate from the mother. that is expelled is viable and, therefore, not
dead as abortion did not result despite the
But even though the umbilical cord has employment of adequate and sufficient
been cut, Article 41 of the Civil Code means to make the pregnant woman abort.
provides that if the fetus had an intra- If the means are not sufficient or adequate,
uterine life of less than seven months, it the crime would be an impossible crime of
must survive at least 24 hours after the abortion. In consummated abortion, the
umbilical cord is cut for it to be considered fetus must be dead.
born.
One who persuades her sister to abort is a
Illustration: co-principal, and one who looks for a
physician to make his sweetheart abort is
A mother delivered an offspring which had an accomplice. The physician will be
an intra-uterine life of seven months. Before punished under Article 259 of the Revised
the umbilical cord is cut, the child was killed. Penal Code.
If it could be shown that had the umbilical
cord been cut, that child, if not killed, would Article 257. Unintentional Abortion
have survived beyond 24 hours, the crime
is infanticide because that conceived child 1. There is a pregnant woman;
is already considered born.
2. Violence is used upon such pregnant
If it could be shown that the child, if not woman without intending an
killed, would not have survived beyond 24 abortion;
hours, the crime is abortion because what
was killed was a fetus only. 3. The violence is intentionally exerted;
In abortion, the concealment of dishonor as 4. As a result of the violence, the fetus
a motive of the mother to commit the dies, either in the womb or after
abortion upon herself is mitigating. It will having been expelled therefrom.
also mitigate the liability of the maternal
grandparent of the victim – the mother of
the pregnant woman – if the abortion was Unintentional abortion requires physical
done with the consent of the pregnant violence inflicted deliberately and voluntarily
woman. by a third person upon the person of the
pregnant woman. Mere intimidation is not
If the abortion was done by the mother of enough unless the degree of intimidation
the pregnant woman without the consent of already approximates violence.
the woman herself, even if it was done to
conceal dishonor, that circumstance will not If the pregnant woman aborted because of
mitigate her criminal liability. intimidation, the crime committed is not
unintentional abortion because there is no
But if those who performed the abortion are violence; the crime committed is light
the parents of the pregnant woman, or threats.
either of them, and the pregnant woman
consented for the purpose of concealing her If the pregnant woman was killed by
dishonor, the penalty is the same as that violence by her husband, the crime
committed is the complex crime of parricide pushing is the proximate cause of the
with unlawful abortion. unintentional abortion.
Unintentional abortion may be committed
through negligence as it is enough that the
use of violence be voluntary. Questions & Answers
Illustration: 1. A pregnant woman decided

to commit suicide. She jumped out of a
A quarrel ensued between A, husband, and window of a building but she landed on a
B, wife. A became so angry that he struck passerby. She did not die but an abortion
B, who was then pregnant, with a soft drink followed. Is she liable for unintentional
bottle on the hip. Abortion resulted and B abortion?
died.
No. What is contemplated in
In US v. Jeffry, 15 Phil. 391, the Supreme
unintentional abortion is that the force or
Court said that knowledge of pregnancy of
violence must come from another. If it was
the offended party is not necessary. In
the woman doing the violence upon herself,
People v. Carnaso, decided on April 7,
it must be to bring about an abortion, and
1964, however, the Supreme Court held
therefore, the crime will be intentional
that knowledge of pregnancy is required in
abortion. In this case, where the woman
unintentional abortion.
tried to commit suicide, the act of trying to
Criticism: commit suicide is not a felony under the
Revised Penal Code. The one penalized in
Under Article 4, paragraph 1 of the Revised suicide is the one giving assistance and not
the person trying to commit suicide.
Penal Code, any person committing a
felony is criminally liable for all the direct,
2. If the abortive drug used in
natural, and logical consequences of his
felonious acts although it may be different abortion is a prohibited drug or regulated
drug under Presidential Decree No. 6425
from that which is intended. The act of
employing violence or physical force upon (The Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972), as
amended, what are the crimes committed?
the woman is already a felony. It is not
material if offender knew about the woman
being pregnant or not. The crimes committed are (1)
intentional abortion; and (2) violation of the
If the act of violence is not felonious, that is, Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972.
act of self-defense, and there is no
knowledge of the woman’s pregnancy, there
Article 258. Abortion Practiced by the
is no liability. If the act of violence is not
felonious, but there is knowledge of the Woman Herself or by Her Parents
woman’s pregnancy, the offender is liable
for unintentional abortion. Elements
1. There is a pregnant woman who has

Illustration:
suffered an abortion;
The act of pushing another causing her to
2. The abortion is intended;
fall is a felonious act and could result in
physical injuries. Correspondingly, if not
3. Abortion is caused by –
only physical injuries were sustained but
abortion also resulted, the felonious act of
a. The pregnant woman herself;
What is the liability of a physician

b. Any other person, with her who aborts the fetus to save the life of the
consent; or mother?
c. Any of her parents, with her None. This is a case of therapeutic

consent for the purpose of abortion which is done out of a state of
concealing her dishonor. necessity. Therefore, the requisites under
Article 11, paragraph 4, of the Revised
Penal Code must be present. There must
Article 259. Abortion Practiced by A be no other practical or less harmful means
Physician or Midwife and Dispensing of of saving the life of the mother to make the
Abortives killing justified.
Elements
Article 260. Responsibility of
1. There is a pregnant woman who has Participants in A Duel
suffered an abortion;
Actspunished
2. The abortion is intended;
1. Killing one’s adversary in a duel;
3. Offender, who must be a physician
or midwife, caused or assisted in 2. Inflicting upon such adversary
causing the abortion; physical injuries;
4. Said physician or midwife took 3. Making a combat although no

advantage of his or her scientific physical injuries have been inflicted.
knowledge or skill.
Personsliable
If the abortion is produced by a physician to
save the life of the mother, there is no 1. The person who killed or inflicted
liability. This is known as a therapeutic physical injuries upon his adversary,
abortion. But abortion without medical or both combatants in any other
necessity to warrant it is punishable even case, as principals.
with the consent of the woman or her
husband. 2. The seconds, as accomplices.
Illustration:
There is no such crime nowadays because
A woman who is pregnant got sick. The people hit each other even without entering
doctor administered a medicine which into any pre-conceived agreement. This is
resulted in Abortion. The crime committed an obsolete provision.
was unintentional abortion through
negligence or imprudence. A duel may be defined as a formal or
regular combat previously consented to by
two parties in the presence of two or more
seconds of lawful age on each side, who
Question & Answer
make the selection of arms and fix all the
other conditions of the fight to settle some
antecedent quarrel.
If these are not the conditions of the fight, it necessary for generation,
is not a duel in the sense contemplated in such as the penis or ovarium;
the Revised Penal Code. It will be a quarrel
and anyone who killed the other will be 2. The mutilation is caused
liable for homicide or murder, as the case purposely and deliberately,
may be. that is, to deprive the
offended party of some
The concept of duel under the Revised essential organ for
Penal Code is a classical one. reproduction
2. Intentionally making other mutilation,

Article 261. Challenging to A Duel that is, by lopping or clipping off any
part of the body of the offended
Actspunished party, other than the essential organ
for reproduction, to deprive him of
1. Challenging another to a duel; that part of his body.
2. Inciting another to give or accept a
challenge to a duel; Mutilation is the lopping or clipping off of
some part of the body.
3. Scoffing at or decrying another
publicly for having refused to accept The intent to deliberately cut off the
a challenge to fight a duel. particular part of the body that was removed
from the offended party must be
Illustration: established. If there is no intent to deprive
victim of particular part of body, the crime is
If one challenges another to a duel by only serious physical injury.
shouting “Come down, Olympia, let us
measure your prowess. We will see whose The common mistake is to associate this
intestines will come out. You are a coward if with the reproductive organs only. Mutilation
you do not come down”, the crime of includes any part of the human body that is
challenging to a duel is not committed. not susceptible to grow again.
What is committed is the crime of light
threats under Article 285, paragraph 1 of the If what was cut off was a reproductive
Revised Penal Code. organ, the penalty is much higher than that
for homicide.
Article 262. Mutilation This cannot be committed through criminal

negligence.
Actspunished
1. Intentionally mutilating another by Article 263. Serious Physical Injuries

depriving him, either totally or
partially, of some essential organ for Howcommitted
reproduction;
1. By wounding;
Elements
2. By beating;
1. There be a castration, that is,
mutilation of organs 3. By assaulting; or
4. By administering injurious of the physical injuries

substance. inflicted;
4. When the injured person becomes ill

In one case, the accused, while conversing or incapacitated for labor for more
with the offended party, drew the latter’s than 30 days (but must not be more
bolo from its scabbard. The offended party than 90 days), as a result of the
caught hold of the edge of the blade of his physical injuries inflicted.
bolo and wounded himself. It was held that
since the accused did not wound, beat or
assault the offended party, he can not be The crime of physical injuries is a crime of
guilty of serious physical injuries. result because under our laws the crime of
physical injuries is based on the gravity of
the injury sustained. So this crime is always
Seriousphysicalinjuries consummated, notwithstanding the opinion
of Spanish commentators like Cuello Calon,
1. When the injured person becomes Viada, etc., that it can be committed in the
insane, imbecile, impotent or blind in attempted or frustrated stage.
consequence of the physical injuries
inflicted; If the act does not give rise to injuries, you
will not be able to say whether it is
2. When the injured person – attempted slight physical injuries, attempted
less serious physical injuries, or attempted
a. Loses the use of speech or serious physical injuries unless the result is
the power to hear or to smell, there.
or loses an eye, a hand,
afoot, an arm, or a leg; The reason why there is no attempted or
frustrated physical injuries is because the
b. Loses the use of any such crime of physical injuries is determined on
member; or the gravity of the injury. As long as the
injury is not there, there can be no
c. Becomes incapacitated for attempted or frustrated stage thereof.
the work in which he was
theretofore habitually Classification of physical injuries:
engaged, in consequence of
the physical injuries inflicted; (1) Between slight physical injuries and
less serious physical injuries, you
3. When the person injured – have a duration of one to nine days
if slight physical injuries; or 10 days
a. Becomes deformed; or to
20 days if less serious physical
b. Loses any other member of injuries. Consider the duration of
his body; or healing and treatment.
c. Loses the use thereof; or The significant part here is between

slight physical injuries and less
d. Becomes ill or incapacitated serious physical injuries. You will
for the performance of the consider not only the healing
work in which he was duration of the injury but also the
habitually engaged for more medical attendance required to treat
than 90 days in consequence the injury. So the healing duration
may be one to nine days, but if the
medical treatment continues beyond

nine days, the physical injuries (2) It must be visible;
would already qualify as less serious
physical injuries. The medical (3) The ugliness will not
treatment may have lasted for nine disappear through natural
days, but if the offended party is still healing process.
incapacitated for labor beyond nine
days, the physical injuries are Illustration:
already considered less serious
physical injuries. Loss of molar tooth – This is not
deformity as it is not visible.
(2) Between less serious physical
injuries and serious physical injuries, Loss of permanent front tooth – This
you do not consider the period of is deformity as it is visible and
medical treatment. You only permanent.
consider the period when the
offended party is rendered Loss of milk front tooth – This is not
incapacitated for labor. deformity as it is visible but will be
naturally replaced.
If the offended party is incapacitated
to work for less than 30 days, even
though the treatment continued
beyond 30 days, the physical Question & Answer
injuries are only considered less
serious because for purposes of The offender threw acid on the face
classifying the physical injuries as of the offended party. Were it not for timely
serious, you do not consider the medical attention, a deformity would have
period of medical treatment. You been produced on the face of the victim.
only consider the period of After the plastic surgery, the offended party
incapacity from work. was more handsome than before the injury.
What crime was committed? In what stage
(3) When the injury created a deformity was it committed?
upon the offended party, you
disregard the healing duration or the The crime is serious physical injuries
period of medical treatment because the problem itself states that the
involved. At once, it is considered injury would have produced a deformity.
serious physical injuries. The fact that the plastic surgery removed
the deformity is immaterial because in law
So even though the deformity may what is considered is not the artificial
not have incapacitated the offended treatment but the natural healing process.
party from work, or even though the
medical treatment did not go beyond In a case decided by the Supreme Court,
nine days, that deformity will bring accused was charged with serious physical
about the crime of serious physical injuries because the injuries produced a
injuries. scar. He was convicted under Article 263
(4). He appealed because, in the course of
Deformity requires the concurrence the trial, the scar disappeared. It was held
of the following conditions:
that accused can not be convicted of
serious physical injuries. He is liable only
(1) The injury must produce
for slight physical injuries because the
ugliness;
victim was not incapacitated, and there was
no evidence that the medical treatment

blind because of such, if the person loses
lasted for more than nine days.
the use of speech or the power to hear or
smell or an eye, a foot, an arm or a leg, or
Serious physical injuries is punished with
the use of any such member or any of the
higher penalties in the following cases:
serious physical injuries or the less serious
physical injuries. Also if the victim is below
(1) If it is committed against any of the
12, or becomes incapacitated for the work
persons referred to in the crime of
he habitually engages in for 30, 10, 1-9
parricide under Article 246;
days.
(2) If any of the circumstances
It holds the parents, school authorities who
qualifying murder attended its
consented or who had actual knowledge if
commission.
they did nothing to prevent it, officers and
members who planned, knowingly
Thus, a father who inflicts serious physical
cooperated or were present, present alumni
injuries upon his son will be liable for
of the organization, owner of the place
qualified serious physical injuries.
where such occurred liable.
Makes presence a prima facie presumption

Republic Act No. 8049 (The Anti-Hazing
of guilt for such.
Law)
Hazing -- This is any initiation rite or practice Article 264. Administering Injurious
which is a prerequisite for admission into Substances or Beverages
membership in a fraternity or sorority or any
organization which places the neophyte or Elements
applicant in some embarrassing or
humiliating situations or otherwise 1. Offender inflicted upon another any
subjecting him to physical or psychological serious physical injury;
suffering of injury. These do not include any
physical, mental, psychological testing and 2. It was done by knowingly
training procedure and practice to determine administering to him any injurious
and enhance the physical and psychological substance or beverages or by taking
fitness of the prospective regular members advantage of his weakness of mind
of the below. or credulity;
Organizations include any club or AFP, 3. He had no intent to kill.
PNP, PMA or officer or cadet corps of the
CMT or CAT.
Article 265. Less Serious Physical
Section 2 requires a written notice to school Injuries
authorities from the head of the organization
seven days prior to the rites and should not Matterstobenotedinthiscrime
exceed three days in duration.
1. Offended party is incapacitated for
Section 3 requires supervision by head of labor for 10 days or more (but not
the school or the organization of the rites. more than 30 days), or needs
medical attendance for the same
Section 4 qualifies the crime if rape, sodomy period of time;
or mutilation results therefrom, if the person
becomes insane, an imbecile, or impotent or
2. The physical injuries must not be circumstances adding ignominy to the

those described in the preceding offense.
articles.
Article 266. Slight Physical Injuries and

Qualifiedastopenalty Maltreatment
1. A fine not exceeding P 500.00, in Actspunished

addition to arresto mayor, shall be
imposed for less serious physical 1. Physical injuries incapacitated the
injuries when – offended party for labor from one to
nine days, or required medical
a. There is a manifest intent to attendance during the same period;
insult or offend the injured
person; or 2. Physical injuries which did not
prevent the offended party from
b. There are circumstances engaging in his habitual work or
adding ignominy to the which did not require medical
offense. attendance;
2. A higher penalty is imposed when 3. Ill-treatment of another by deed
the victim is either – without causing any injury.
a. The offender’s parents, This involves even ill-treatment where there

ascendants, guardians, is no sign of injury requiring medical
curators or teachers; or treatment.
b. Persons of rank or person in Slapping the offended party is a form of ill-

authority, provided the crime treatment which is a form of slight physical
is not direct assault. injuries.
But if the slapping is done to cast dishonor

If the physical injuries do not incapacitate upon the person slapped, the crime is
the offended party nor necessitate medical slander by deed. If the slapping was done
attendance, slight physical injuries is without the intention of casting dishonor, or
committed. But if the physical injuries heal to humiliate or embarrass the offended party
after 30 days, serious physical injuries is out of a quarrel or anger, the crime is still ill-
committed under Article 263, paragraph 4. treatment or slight physical injuries.
Article 265 is an exception to Article 48 in Illustration:

relation to complex crimes as the latter only
takes place in cases where the Revised If Hillary slaps Monica and told her “You
Penal Code has no specific provision choose your seconds . Let us meet behind
penalizing the same with a definite, specific the Quirino Grandstand and see who is the
penalty. Hence, there is no complex crime better and more beautiful between the two
of slander by deed with less serious of us”, the crime is not ill-treatment, slight
physical injuries but only less serious physical injuries or slander by deed; it is a
physical injuries if the act which was form of challenging to a duel. The criminal
committed produced the less serious intent is to challenge a person to a duel.
physical injuries with the manifest intent to
insult or offend the offended party, or under
The crime is slight physical injury if there is of serious physical injuries in paragraph 1 of
no proof as to the period of the offended Article 263 of the Code that the quoted
party’s incapacity for labor or of the required provision of Republic Act No. 7160 may be
medical attendance. applied for the higher penalty when the
victim is under 12 years old.
Republic Act No. 7610 (Special
Protection of Children against Child Article 266-A. Rape, When and How
Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Committed
Act), in relation to murder, mutilation or
injuries to a child Elementsunderparagraph1
The last paragraph of Article VI of Republic 1. Offender is a man;
Act No. 7610, provides:
2. Offender had carnal knowledge of a
“For purposes of this Act, the penalty for the woman;
commission of acts punishable under
Articles 248, 249, 262 (2) and 263 (1) of Act 3. Such act is accomplished under any
No 3815, as amended of the Revised Penal of the following circumstances:
Code for the crimes of murder, homicide,
other intentional mutilation, and serious a. By using force or
physical injuries, respectively, shall be intimidation;
reclusion perpetua when the victim is under
twelve years of age.” b. When the woman is deprived
of reason or otherwise
The provisions of Republic Act No. 7160 unconscious;
modified the provisions of the Revised
Penal Code in so far as the victim of the c. By means of fraudulent
felonies referred to is under 12 years of age. machination or grave abuse
The clear intention is to punish the said of authority; or
crimes with a higher penalty when the victim
is a child of tender age. Incidentally, the d. When the woman is under 12
reference to Article 249 of the Code which years of age or demented.
defines and penalizes the crime of homicide
were the victim is under 12 years old is an
error. Killing a child under 12 is murder, not Elementsunderparagraph2
homicide, because the victim is under no
position to defend himself as held in the 1. Offender commits an act of sexual
case of People v. Ganohon, 196 SCRA assault;
431.
2. The act of sexual assault is
For murder, the penalty provided by the committed by any of the following
Code, as amended by Republic Act No. means:
7659, is reclusion perpetua to death –
higher than what Republic Act no. 7610 a. By inserting his penis into
provides. Accordingly, insofar as the crime another person's mouth or
is murder, Article 248 of the Code, as anal orifice; or
amended, shall govern even if the victim
was under 12 years of age. It is only in b. By inserting any instrument
respect of the crimes of intentional or object into the genital or
mutilation in paragraph 2 of Article 262 and
anal orifice of another

Rape is committed when a man has carnal
person;
knowledge of a woman under the following
circumstances:
3. The act of sexual assault is
accomplished under any of the
(1) Where intimidation or violence is
following circumstances:
employed with a view to have carnal
knowledge of a woman;
a. By using force or
intimidation; or
(2) Where the victim is deprived of
reason or otherwise unconscious;
b. When the woman is deprived
of reason or otherwise (3) Where the rape was made possible
unconscious; or because of fraudulent machination
or abuse of authority; or
c. By means of fraudulent
machination or grave abuse (4) Where the victim is under 12 years
of authority; or of age, or demented, even though
no intimidation nor violence is
d. When the woman is under 12
employed.
years of age or demented.
Sexual assault is committed under the
following circumstances:
Republic Act No. 8353 (An Act Expanding
the Definition of the Crime of Rape, (1) Where the penis is inserted into the
Reclassifying the Same as A Crime anal or oral orifice; or
against Persons, Amending for the
Purpose the Revised Penal Code) (2) Where an instrument or object is
repealed Article335 on rape and added a inserted into the genital or oral
chapter on Rape under Title 8. orifice.
Classificationofrape If the crime of rape / sexual assault is
committed with the following circumstances,
(1) Traditional concept under Article 335
the following penalties are imposed:
– carnal knowledge with a woman
against her will. The offended party
(1) Reclusion perpetua to death/ prision
is always a woman and the offender
mayor to reclusion temporal --
is always a man.
(a) Where rape is perpetrated by
(2) Sexual assault - committed with an
the accused with a deadly
instrument or an object or use of the
weapon; or
penis with penetration of mouth or
anal orifice. The offended party or
(b) Where it is committed by two
the offender can either be man or
or more persons.
woman, that is, if a woman or a man
uses an instrument on anal orifice of
(2) Reclusion perpetua to death/
male, she or he can be liable for reclusion temporal --
rape.
(a) Where the victim of the rape
has become insane; or
(b) Where the rape is attempted and the offender took

but a killing was committed advantage of his position;
by the offender on the
occasion or by reason of the (g) Where the offender is
rape. afflicted with AIDS or other
sexually transmissible
(3) Death / reclusion perpetua -- diseases, and he is aware
thereof when he committed
Where homicide is committed by the rape, and the disease
reason or on occasion of a was transmitted;
consummated rape.
(h) Where the victim has
(4) Death/reclusion temporal -- suffered permanent physical
mutilation;
(a) Where the victim is under 18
years of age and the offender (i) Where the pregnancy of the
is her ascendant, stepfather, offended party is known to
guardian, or relative by the rapist at the time of the
affinity or consanguinity rape; or
within the 3rd civil degree, or
the common law husband of (j) Where the rapist is aware of
the victim’s mother; or the victim’s mental disability,
emotional disturbance or
(b) Where the victim was under physical handicap.
the custody of the police or
military authorities, or other
law enforcement agency; Prior to the amendment of the law on rape,
a complaint must be filed by the offended
(c) Where the rape is committed woman. The persons who may file the
in full view of the victim’s same in behalf of the offended woman if
husband, the parents, any of she is a minor or if she was incapacitated to
the children or relatives by file, were as follows: a parent; in default of
consanguinity within the 3rd parents, a grandparent; in default or
civil degree; grandparent, the judicial guardian.
(d) Where the victim is a Since rape is not a private crime anymore, it
religious, that is, a member can be prosecuted even if the woman does
of a legitimate religious not file a complaint.
vocation and the offender
knows the victim as such If carnal knowledge was made possible
before or at the time of the because of fraudulent machinations and
commission of the offense; grave abuse of authority, the crime is rape.
This absorbs the crime of qualified and
(e) Where the victim is a child simple seduction when no force or violence
under 7 yrs of age; was used, but the offender abused his
authority to rape the victim.
(f) Where the offender is a
member of the AFP, its Under Article 266-C, the offended woman
paramilitary arm, the PNP, or may pardon the offender through a
any law enforcement agency subsequent valid marriage, the effect of
which would be the extinction of the
offender’s liability. Similarly, the legal offended party should exert all her efforts to
husband may be pardoned by forgiveness prevent the carnal intercourse. It is enough
of the wife provided that the marriage is not that from her resistance, it would appear
void ab initio. Obviously, under the new that the carnal intercourse is against her
law, the husband may be liable for rape if will.
his wife does not want to have sex with him.
It is enough that there is indication of any Mere initial resistance, which does not
amount of resistance as to make it rape. indicate refusal on the part of the offended
party to the sexual intercourse, will not be
Incestuous rape was coined in Supreme enough to bring about the crime of rape.
Court decisions. It refers to rape committed
by an ascendant of the offended woman. In Note that it has been held that in the crime
such cases, the force and intimidation need of rape, conviction does not require medico-
not be of such nature as would be required legal finding of any penetration on the part
in rape cases had the accused been a of the woman. A medico-legal certificate is
stranger. Conversely, the Supreme Court not necessary or indispensable to convict
expected that if the offender is not known to the accused of the crime of rape.
woman, it is necessary that there be
evidence of affirmative resistance put up by It has also been held that although the
the offended woman. Mere “no, no” is not offended woman who is the victim of the
enough if the offender is a stranger, rape failed to adduce evidence regarding
although if the rape is incestuous, this is the damages to her by reason of the rape,
enough. the court may take judicial notice that
there is such damage in crimes against
The new rape law also requires that there chastity. The standard amount given now
be a physical overt act manifesting is P 30,000.00, with or without evidence of
resistance, if the offended party was in a any moral damage. But there are some
situation where he or she is incapable of cases where the court awarded only P
giving valid consent, this is admissible in 20,000.00.
evidence to show that carnal knowledge
was against his or her will. An accused may be convicted of rape on
the sole testimony of the offended woman.
When the victim is below 12 years old, It does not require that testimony be
mere sexual intercourse with her is already corroborated before a conviction may stand.
rape. Even if it was she who wanted the This is particularly true if the commission of
sexual intercourse, the crime will be rape. the rape is such that the narration of the
This is referred to as statutory rape. offended woman would lead to no other
conclusion except that the rape was
In other cases, there must be force, committed.
intimidation, or violence proven to have
been exerted to bring about carnal Illustration:
knowledge or the woman must have been
deprived of reason or otherwise Daughter accuses her own father of having
unconscious. raped her.
Where the victim is over 12 years old, it Allegation of several accused that the
must be shown that the carnal knowledge woman consented to their sexual
with her was obtained against her will. It is intercourse with her is a proposition which is
necessary that there be evidence of some revolting to reason that a woman would
resistance put up by the offended woman. allow more than one man to have sexual
It is not, however, necessary that the intercourse with her in the presence of the
others.
4. Kidnapping and failure to return a

It has also been ruled that rape can be minor (Art. 270);
committed in a standing position because
complete penetration is not necessary. The 5. Inducing a minor to abandon his
slightest penetration – contact with the labia home (Art. 271);
– will consummate the rape.
6. Slavery (Art. 272);
On the other hand, as long as there is an
intent to effect sexual cohesion, although 7. Exploitation of child labor (Art. 273);
unsuccessful, the crime becomes attempted
rape. However, if that intention is not 8. Services rendered under compulsion
proven, the offender can only be convicted in payment of debts (Art. 274).
of acts of lasciviousness.
The main distinction between the crime of Crimesagainstsecurity

attempted rape and acts of lasciviousness is
the intent to lie with the offended woman. 1. Abandonment of persons in danger
and abandonment of one's own
In a case where the accused jumped upon victim (Art. 275);
a woman and threw her to the ground,
although the accused raised her skirts, the 2. Abandoning a minor (Art. 276);
accused did not make any effort to remove
her underwear. Instead, he removed his 3. Abandonment of minor by person
own underwear and placed himself on top entrusted with his custody;
of the woman and started performing sexual indifference of parents (Art. 277);
movements. Thereafter, when he was
finished, he stood up and left. The crime 4. Exploitation of minors (Art. 278);
committed is only acts of lasciviousness
and not attempted rape. The fact that he 5. Trespass to dwelling (Art. 280);
did not remove the underwear of the victim
indicates that he does not have a real 6. Other forms of trespass (Art. 281);
intention to effect a penetration. It was only
to satisfy a lewd design. 7. Grave threats (Art. 282);
Is there a complex crime under Article 48 of 8. Light threats (Art. 283);

kidnapping with rape? Read kidnapping.
9. Other light threats (Art. 285);
TITLE IX. CRIMES AGAINST PERSONAL 10. Grave coercions (Art. 286);
LIBERTY AND SECURITY
11. Light coercions (Art. 287);
Crimesagainstliberty
12. Other similar coercions (Art. 288);
1. Kidnapping and serious illegal
detention (Art. 267); 13. Formation, maintenance and
prohibition of combination of capital
2. Slight illegal detention (Art. 268); or labor through violence or threats
(Art. 289);
3. Unlawful arrest (Art. 269);
14. Discovering secrets through seizure
of correspondence (Art. 290);
When a public officer conspires with a

15. Revealing secrets with abus of office private person in the commission of any of
(Art. 291); the crimes under Title IX, the crime is also
one committed under this title and not under
16. Revealing of industrial secrets (Art. Title II.
292).
Illustration:
Article 267. Kidnapping and Serious If a private person commits the crime of
Illegal Detention kidnapping or serious illegal detention, even
though a public officer conspires therein,
Elements the crime cannot be arbitrary detention. As
far as that public officer is concerned, the
1. Offender is a private individual; crime is also illegal detention.
2. He kidnaps or detains another, or in In the actual essence of the crime, when

any other manner deprives the latter one says kidnapping, this connotes the idea
of his liberty; of transporting the offended party from one
place to another. When you think illegal
3. The act of detention or kidnapping detention, it connotes the idea that one is
must be illegal; restrained of his liberty without necessarily
transporting him from one place to another.
4. In the commission of the offense,
any of the following circumstances is The crime of kidnapping is committed if the
present: purpose of the offender is to extort ransom
either from the victim or from any other
a. The kidnapping lasts for person. But if a person is transported not
more than 3 days; for ransom, the crime can be illegal
detention. Usually, the offended party is
b. It is committed simulating brought to a place other than his own, to
public authority; detain him there.
c. Any serious physical injuries When one thinks of kidnapping, it is not only
are inflicted upon the person that of transporting one person from one
kidnapped or detained or place to another. One also has to think of
threats to kill him are made; the criminal intent.
or
Forcible abduction -- If a woman is
d. The person kidnapped or transported from one place to another by
detained is a minor, female, virtue of restraining her of her liberty, and
or a public officer. that act is coupled with lewd designs.
Serious illegal detention – If a woman is

If there is any crime under Title IX which transported just to restrain her of her liberty.
has no corresponding provision with crimes There is no lewd design or lewd intent.
under Title II, then, the offender may be a
public officer or a private person. If there is Grave coercion – If a woman is carried
a corresponding crime under Title II, the away just to break her will, to compel her to
offender under Title IX for such similar agree to the demand or request by the
crime is a private person. offender.
In a decided case, a suitor, who cannot get Circumstances which make illegal detention
a favorable reply from a woman, invited the serious
woman to ride with him, purportedly to take
home the woman from class. But while the (1) When the illegal detention lasted for
woman is in his car, he drove the woman to three days, regardless of who the
a far place and told the woman to marry offended party is;
him. On the way, the offender had
repeatedly touched the private parts of the (2) When the offended party is a female,
woman. It was held that the act of the even if the detention lasted only for
offender of touching the private parts of the minutes;
woman could not be considered as lewd
designs because he was willing to marry (3) If the offended party is a minor or a
the offended party. The Supreme Court public officer, no matter how long or
ruled that when it is a suitor who could how short the detention is;
possibly marry the woman, merely kissing
the woman or touching her private parts to (4) When threats to kill are made or
“compel” her to agree to the marriage, such serious physical injuries have been
cannot be characterized as lewd design. It inflicted; and
is considered merely as the “passion of a
lover”. But if the man is already married, (5) If it shall have been committed
you cannot consider that as legitimate but simulating public authority.
immoral and definitely amounts to lewd
design. Distinction between illegal detention and
arbitrary detention
If a woman is carried against her will but
without lewd design on the part of the Illegal detention is committed by a private
offender, the crime is grave coercion. person who kidnaps, detains, or otherwise
deprives another of his liberty.
Illustration: Arbitrary detention is committed by a public

officer who detains a person without legal
Tom Cruz invited Nicole Chizmacks for a grounds.
snack. They drove along Roxas Boulevard,
along the Coastal Road and to Cavite. The The penalty for kidnapping is higher than for
woman was already crying and wanted to forcible abduction. This is wrong because if
be brought home. Tom imposed the the offender knew about this, he would
condition that Nicole should first marry him. perform lascivious acts upon the woman
Nicole found this as, simply, a mission and be charged only for forcible abduction
impossible. The crime committed in this instead of kidnapping or illegal detention.
case is grave coercion. But if after they He thereby benefits from this absurdity,
drove to Cavite, the suitor placed the which arose when Congress amended
woman in a house and would not let her out Article 267, increasing the penalty thereof,
until she agrees to marry him, the crime without amending Article 342 on forcible
would be serious illegal detention. abduction.
If the victim is a woman or a public officer, Article 267 has been modified by Republic
the detention is always serious – no matter Act No. 7659 in the following respects:
how short the period of detention is.
(1) Illegal detention becomes serious
when it shall have lasted for more
than three days, instead of five days

victim or not, as long as the victim was
as originally provided;
killed, or died as a consequence of the
kidnapping or detention. There is no more
(2) In paragraph 4, if the person
separate crime of kidnapping and murder if
kidnapped or detained was a minor
the victim was kidnapped not for the
and the offender was anyone of the
purpose of killing her.
parents, the latter has been
expressly excluded from the
If the victim was raped, this brings about the
provision. The liability of the parent
composite crime of kidnapping with rape.
is provided for in the last paragraph
Being a composite crime, not a complex
of Article 271;
crime, the same is regarded as a single
indivisible offense as in fact the law
(3) A paragraph was added to Article
punishes such acts with only a single
267, which states:
penalty. In a way, the amendment
depreciated the seriousness of the rape
When the victim is
because no matter how many times the
killed or dies as a
victim was raped, there will only be one
consequence of the
kidnapping with rape. This would not be the
detention or is raped,
consequence if rape were a separate crime
or is subjected to
from kidnapping because each act of rape
torture, or
would be a distinct count.
dehumanizing acts,
the maximum penalty
However for the crime to be kidnapping with
shall be imposed.
rape, the offender should not have taken
the victim with lewd designs as otherwise
This amendment brings about a
the crime would be forcible abduction; and if
composite crime of kidnapping with
the victim was raped, the complex crime of
homicide when it is the victim of the
forcible abduction with rape would be
kidnapping who was killed, or dies
committed. If the taking was forcible
as a consequence of the detention
abduction, and the woman was raped
and, thus, only one penalty is
several times, there would only be one crime
imposed which is death.
of forcible abduction with rape, and each of
the other rapes would constitute distinct
counts of rape. This was the ruling in the
Article 48, on complex crimes, does not
case of People v. Bacalso.
govern in this case. But Article 48 will
govern if any other person is killed aside,
In People v. Lactao, decided on October
because the provision specifically refers to
29, 1993, the Supreme Court stressed that
“victim”. Accordingly, the rulings in cases of
the crime is serious illegal detention if the
People v. Parulan, People v. Ging Sam,
purpose was to deprive the offended party
and other similar cases where the accused
of her liberty. And if in the course of the
were convicted for the complex crimes of illegal detention, the offended party was
kidnapping with murder have become raped, a separate crime of rape would be
academic. committed. This is so because there is no
complex crime of serious illegal detention
In the composite crime of kidnapping with with rape since the illegal detention was not
homicide, the term “homicide” is used in the a necessary means to the commission of
generic sense and, thus, covers all forms of rape.
killing whether in the nature of murder or
otherwise. It does not matter whether the In People v. Bernal, 131 SCRA 1, the
purpose of the kidnapping was to kill the appellants were held guilty of separate
crimes of serious illegal detention and of (1) The offended party is voluntarily
multiple rapes. With the amendment by released within three days from the
Republic Act No. 7659 making rape a start of illegal detention;
qualifying circumstance in the crime of
kidnapping and serious illegal detention, the (2) Without attaining the purpose;
jurisprudence is superseded to the effect
that the rape should be a distinct crime. (3) Before the institution of the criminal
Article 48 on complex crimes may not apply action.
when serious illegal detention and rape are
committed by the same offender. The One should know the nature of the illegal
offender will be charged for the composite detention to know whether the voluntary
crime of serious illegal detention with rape release of the offended party will affect the
as a single indivisible offense, regardless of criminal liability of the offender.
the number of times that the victim was
raped. When the offender voluntarily releases the
offended party from detention within three
Also, when the victim of the kidnapping and days from the time the restraint of liberty
serious illegal detention was subjected to began, as long as the offender has not
torture and sustained physical injuries, a accomplished his purposes, and the release
composite crime of kidnapping with physical was made before the criminal prosecution
injuries is committed. was commenced, this would serve to
mitigate the criminal liability of the offender,
provided that the kidnapping or illegal
Article 268. Slight Illegal Detention detention is not serious.
Elements If the illegal detention is serious, however,
even if the offender voluntarily released the
1. Offender is a private individual; offended party, and such release was within
three days from the time the detention
2. He kidnaps or detains another, or in began, even if the offender has not
any other manner deprives him of accomplished his purpose in detaining the
his liberty. offended party, and even if there is no
criminal prosecution yet, such voluntary
3. The act of kidnapping or detention is release will not mitigate the criminal liability
illegal; of the offender.
4. The crime is committed without the One who furnishes the place where the
attendance of any of the offended party is being held generally acts
circumstances enumerated in Article as an accomplice. But the criminal liability in
267. connection with the kidnapping and serious
illegal detention, as well as the slight illegal
detention, is that of the principal and not of
This felony is committed if any of the five the accomplice.
circumstances in the commission of
kidnapping or detention enumerated in Before, in People v. Saliente, if the
Article 267 is not present. offended party subjected to serious illegal
detention was voluntarily released by the
The penalty is lowered if – accused in accordance with the provisions
of Article 268 (3), the crime, which would
have been serious illegal detention, became
slight illegal detention only.
Elements
The prevailing rule now is Asistio v. Judge,
which provides that voluntary release will 1. Offender arrests or detains another
only mitigate criminal liability if crime was person;
slight illegal detention. If serious, it has no
effect. 2. The purpose of the offender is to
deliver him to the proper authorities;
In kidnapping for ransom, voluntary release
will not mitigate the crime. This is because, 3. The arrest or detention is not
with the reimposition of the death penalty, authorized by law or there is no
this crime is penalized with the extreme reasonable ground therefor.
penalty of death.
What is ransom? It is the money, price or This felony consists in making an arrest or
consideration paid or demanded for detention without legal or reasonable
redemption of a captured person or ground for the purpose of delivering the
persons, a payment that releases a person offended party to the proper authorities.
from captivity.
The offended party may also be detained
The definition of ransom under the Lindberg but the crime is not illegal detention
law of the U.S. has been adopted in our because the purpose is to prosecute the
jurisprudence in People v. Akiran, 18 person arrested. The detention is only
SCRA 239, 242, such that when a creditor incidental; the primary criminal intention of
detains a debtor and releases the latter only the offender is to charge the offended party
upon the payment of the debt, such for a crime he did not actually commit.
payment of the debt, which was made a
condition for the release is ransom, under Generally, this crime is committed by
this article. incriminating innocent persons by the
offender’s planting evidence to justify the
In the case of People v. Roluna, decided arrest – a complex crime results, that is,
March 29, 1994, witnesses saw a person unlawful arrest through incriminatory
being taken away with hands tied behind machinations under Article 363.
his back and was not heard from for six
years. Supreme Court reversed the trial If the arrest is made without a warrant and
court ruling that the men accused were under circumstances not allowing a
guilty of kidnapping with murder. The crime warrantless arrest, the crime would be
is only slight illegal detention under Article unlawful arrest.
268, aggravated by a band, since none of
the circumstances in Article 267 has been If the person arrested is not delivered to the
proved beyond a reasonable doubt. The authorities, the private individual making the
fact that the victim has been missing for six arrest incurs criminal liability for illegal
years raises a presumption of death, but detention under Article 267 or 268.
from this disputable presumption of
death, it should not be further presumed If the offender is a public officer, the crime is
that the persons who were last seen arbitrary detention under Article 124.
with the absentee is
responsible for his If the detention or arrest is for a legal
disappearance. ground, but the public officer delays delivery
of the person arrested to the proper judicial
authorities, then Article 125 will apply.
Article 269. Unlawful Arrest
Note that this felony may also be committed

Elements
by public officers.
1. A minor (whether over or under
seven years of age) is living in the
Article 270. Kidnapping and Failure to
Return A Minor home of his parents or guardians or
the person entrusted with his
Elements custody;
2. Offender induces said minor to

1. Offender is entrusted with the
abandon such home.
custody of a minor person (whether
over or under seven years but less
than 21 years of age);
Article 272. Slavery
2. He deliberately fails to restore the
Elements
said minor to his parents or
guardians. 1. Offender purchases, sells, kidnaps
or detains a human being;
If any of the foregoing elements is absent, 2. The purpose of the offender is to
the kidnapping of the minor will then fall enslave such human being.
under Article 267.
If the accused is any of the parents, Article This is committed if anyone shall purchase,
267 does not apply; Articles 270 and 271 kidnap, or detain a human being for the
apply.
purpose of enslaving him. The penalty is
increased if the purpose of the offender is to
If the taking is with the consent of the
assign the offended party to some immoral
parents, the crime in Article 270 is
traffic.
committed.
This is distinguished from illegal detention
In People v. Generosa, it was held that
by the purpose. If the purpose of the
deliberate failure to return a minor under
kidnapping or detention is to enslave the
one’s custody constitutes deprivation of
offended party, slavery is committed.
liberty. Kidnapping and failure to return a
minor is necessarily included in kidnapping
The crime is slavery if the offender is not
and serious illegal detention of a minor
engaged in the business of prostitution. If
under Article 267(4).
he is, the crime is white slave trade under
Article 341.
In People v. Mendoza, where a minor child
was taken by the accused without the
knowledge and consent of his parents, it
Article 273. Exploitation of Child Labor
was held that the crime is kidnapping and
serious illegal detention under Article 267,
Elements
not kidnapping and failure to return a minor
under Article 270.
1. Offender retains a minor in his
services;
Article 271. Inducing A Minor to
2. It is against the will of the minor;
Abandon His Home
3. It is under the pretext of reimbursing 4. Accused fails to render

himself of a debt incurred by an assistance.
ascendant, guardian or person

entrusted with the custody of such
2. Failing to help or render assistance
minor.
to another whom the offender has
accidentally wounded or injured;
Article 274. Services Rendered under
3. By failing to deliver a child, under
Compulsion in Payment of Debt
seven years of age, whom the
offender has found abandoned, to
Elements
the authorities or to his family, or by
failing to take him to a safe place.
1. Offender compel a debtor to work for
him, either as household servant or
farm laborer;
Under the first act, the offender is liable only
when he can render such assistance
2. It is against the debtor’s will;
without detriment to himself, unless such
3. The purpose is to require or enforce omission shall constitute a more serious
the payment of a debt. offense. Where the person is already
wounded and already in danger of dying,
there is an obligation to render assistance
Article 275. Abandonment of Persons in only if he is found in an uninhabited place.
Danger and Abandonment of One’s Own If the mortally wounded, dying person is
Victim found in a place not uninhabited in legal
contemplation, abandonment will not bring
Actspunished about this crime. An uninhabited place is
determined by possibility of person
receiving assistance from another. Even if
there are many houses around, the place
may still be uninhabited if possibility of
1. Failing to render assistance to any receiving assistance is remote.
person whom the offender finds in
an uninhabited place wounded or in If what happened was an accident at first,
there would be no liability pursuant to Article
danger of dying when he can render
12 (4) of the Civil Code – damnum absque
such assistance without detriment to
injuria. But if you abandon your victim, you
himself, unless such omission shall will be liable under Article 275. Here, the
constitute a more serious offense. character of the place is immaterial. As
long as the victim was injured because of
Elements the accident caused by the offender, the
offender would be liable for abandonment if
1. The place is not inhabited; he would not render assistance to the
victim.
2. Accused found there a
person wounded or in danger
of dying; Article 276. Abandoning A Minor
3. Accused can render Elements

assistance without detriment
to himself; 1. Offender has the custody of a child;
2. The child is under seven years of 2. Neglecting his (offender’s) children

age; by not giving them the education
which their station in life requires
3. He abandons such child; and financial condition permits.
4. He has no intent to kill the child Elements:

when the latter is abandoned.
1. Offender is a parent;
Circumstancesqualifyingtheoffense 2. He neglects his children by
not giving them education;
1. When the death of the minor
resulted from such abandonment; or 3. His station in life requires
such education and his
2. If the life of the minor was in danger financial condition permits it.
because of the abandonment.
Article 278. Exploitation of Minors

Article 277. Abandonment of Minor by
Person Entrusted with His Custody;
Actspunished
Indifference of Parents
1. Causing any boy or girl under 16
Actspunished
years of age to perform any
dangerous feat of balancing,
1. Delivering a minor to a public
physical strength or contortion, the
institution or other persons without
offender being any person;
the consent of the one who
entrusted such minor to the care of
2. Employing children under 16 years
the offender or, in the absence of
of age who are not the children or
that one, without the consent of the
descendants of the offender in
proper authorities;
exhibitions of acrobat, gymnast,
rope-walker, diver, or wild-animal
Elements
tamer, the offender being an acrobat,
etc., or circus manager or engaged
1. Offender has charge of the
in a similar calling;
rearing or education of a
minor;
3. Employing any descendant under 12
years of age in dangerous
2. He delivers said minor to a
exhibitions enumerated in the next
public institution or other
preceding paragraph, the offender
persons;
being engaged in any of the said
callings;
3. The one who entrusted such
child to the offender has not
4. Delivering a child under 16 years of
consented to such act; or if
age gratuitously to any person
the one who entrusted such
following any of the callings
child to the offender is
enumerated in paragraph 2, or to
absent, the proper authorities
any habitual vagrant or beggar, the
have not consented to it.
offender being an ascendant,
guardian, teacher or person
entrusted in any capacity with the

Article 278 has no application if minor is 16
care of such child; and
years old and above. But the exploitation
will be dealt with by Republic Act No. 7610.
5. Inducing any child under 16 years of
age to abandon the home of its
If the minor so employed would suffer some
ascendants, guardians, curators or injuries as a result of a violation of Article
teachers to follow any person 278, Article 279 provides that there would
engaged in any of the callings be additional criminal liability for the
mentioned in paragraph 2 or to resulting felony.
accompany any habitual vagrant or
beggar, the offender being any Illustration:
person.
The owner of a circus employed a child
under 16 years of age to do a balancing act
The offender is engaged in a kind of on the tightrope. The crime committed is
business that would place the life or limb of exploitation of minors (unless the employer
the minor in danger, even though working is the ascendant of the minor who is not
for him is not against the will of the minor. below 12 years of age). If the child fell and
suffered physical injuries while working, the
Nature of the Business – This involves employer shall be liable for said physical
circuses which generally attract children so injuries in addition to his liability for
they themselves may enjoy working there exploitation of minors.
unaware of the danger to their own lives
and limbs.
Article 280. Qualified Trespass to
Age – Must be below 16 years. At this age, Dwelling
the minor is still growing.
Elements
If the employer is an ascendant, the crime
is not committed, unless the minor is less 1. Offender is a private person;
than 12 years old. Because if the employer
is an ascendant, the law regards that he 2. He enters the dwelling of another;
would look after the welfare and protection
of the child; hence, the age is lowered to 12 3. Such entrance is against the latter’s
years. Below that age, the crime is will.
committed.
But remember Republic Act No. 7610 Twoformsoftrespass

(Special Protection of Children against Child
Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act). 1. Qualified trespass to dwelling – This
It applies to minors below 18 years old, not may be committed by any private
16 years old as in the Revised Penal Code. person who shall enter the dwelling
As long as the employment is inimical – of another against the latter’s will.
even though there is no physical risk – and The house must be inhabited at the
detrimental to the child’s interest – against time of the trespass although the
moral, intellectual, physical, and mental occupants are out. Or offender
development of the minor – the breaks in with force and violence
establishment will be closed. (Article 280).
2. Trespass to property - Offender

enters the closed premises or
fenced estate of another; such close To prove that an entry is against the will of
premises or fenced estate is the occupant, it is not necessary that the
uninhabited; there is a manifest entry should be preceded by an express
prohibition against entering such prohibition, provided that the opposition of
closed premises or fenced estate; the occupant is clearly established by the
and offender has not secured the circumstances under which the entry is
permission of the owner or caretaker made, such as the existence of enmity or
thereof (Article 281). strained relations between the accused and
the occupant.
(See also Presidential Decree No. 1227
regarding unlawful entry into any military On violence, Cuello Calon opines that
base in the Philippines.) violence may be committed not only against
persons but also against things. So,
breaking the door or glass of a window or
Dwelling – This is the place that a person door constitutes acts of violence. Our
inhabits. It includes the dependencies Supreme Court followed this view in People
which have interior communication with the v. Tayag. Violence or intimidation must,
house. It is not necessary that it be the however, be anterior or coetaneous with the
permanent dwelling of the person. So, a entrance and must not be posterior. But if
person’s room in a hotel may be considered the violence is employed immediately after
a dwelling. It also includes a room where the entrance without the consent of the
one resides as a boarder. owner of the house, trespass is committed.
If there is also violence or intimidation, proof
If the purpose in entering the dwelling is not of prohibition to enter is no longer
shown, trespass is committed. If the necessary.
purpose is shown, it may be absorbed in
the crime as in robbery with force upon Distinction between qualified trespass to
things, the trespass yielding to the more dwelling and violation of domicile
serious crime. But if the purpose is not
shown and while inside the dwelling he was Unlike qualified trespass to dwelling,
found by the occupants, one of whom was violation of domicile may be committed only
injured by him, the crime committed will be by a public officer or employee and the
trespass to dwelling and frustrated violation may consist of any of the three acts
homicide, physical injuries, or if there was mentioned in Article 128 – (1) entering the
no injury, unjust vexation. dwelling against the will of the owner without
judicial order; (2) searching papers or other
If the entry is made by a way not intended effects found in such dwelling without the
for entry, that is presumed to be against the previous consent of the owner thereof; and
will of the occupant (example, entry through (3) refusing to leave the dwelling when so
a window). It is not necessary that there be requested by the owner thereof, after having
a breaking. surreptitiously entered such dwelling.
“Against the will” -- This means that the Cases when Article 280 does not apply:
entrance is, either expressly or impliedly,
prohibited or the prohibition is presumed. (1) When the purpose of the entrance is
Fraudulent entrance may constitute to prevent serious harm to himself,
trespass. The prohibition to enter may be the occupant or third persons;
made at any time and not necessarily at the
time of the entrance.
(2) When the purpose of the offender in wrong amounting to a crime, the
entering is to render some service to threat not being subject to a condition.
humanity or justice;
(3) Anyone who shall enter cafes, Threat is a declaration of an intention or

taverns, inns and other public determination to injure another by the
houses while they are open . commission upon his person, honor or
property or upon that of his family of some
Pursuant to Section 6, Rule 113 of the wrong which may or may not amount to a
Rules of Court, a person who believes that crime:
a crime has been committed against him
has every right to go after the culprit and (1) Grave threats – when the wrong
arrest him without any warrant even if in the threatened to be inflicted amounts to
process he enters the house of another a crime. The case falls under Article
against the latter’s will. 282.
Article 281. Other forms of trespass (2) Light threats – if it does not amount
to a crime. The case falls under
Elements Article 283.
1. Offender enters the closed premises But even if the harm intended is in the
or the fenced estate of another; nature of a crime, if made orally and in the
heat of anger and after the oral threat, the
2. The entrance is made while either of issuer of the threat did not pursue the act,
them is uninhabited; the crime is only other light threats under
Article 285.
3. The prohibition to enter is manifest;
To constitute grave threats, the threats must
4. The trespasser has not secured the refer to a future wrong and is committed by
permission of the owner or the acts or through words of such efficiency to
caretaker thereof. inspire terror or fear upon another. It is,
therefore, characterized by moral pressure
Article 282. Grave Threats that produces disquietude or alarm.
Actspunished: The greater perversity of the offender is
manifested when the threats are made
1. Threatening another with the demanding money or imposing any
infliction upon his person, honor or condition, whether lawful or not, and the
property or that of this family of any offender shall have attained his purpose.
wrong amounting to a crime and So the law imposes upon him the penalty
demanding money or imposing any next lower in degree than that prescribed
other condition, even though not for the crime threatened to be committed.
unlawful, and the offender attained But if the purpose is not attained, the
his purpose; penalty lower by two degrees is imposed.
The maximum period of the penalty is
2. Making such threat without the imposed if the threats are made in writing or
offender attaining his purpose; through a middleman as they manifest
evident premeditation.
3. Threatening another with the
infliction upon his person, honor or
property or that of his family of any
Distinction between threat and coercion:

2. The wrong does not constitute a
The essence of coercion is violence or crime;
intimidation. There is no condition involved;
hence, there is no futurity in the harm or 3. There is a demand for money or that
wrong done. other condition is imposed, even
though not unlawful;
In threat, the wrong or harm done is future
and conditional. In coercion, it is direct and 4. Offender has attained his purpose
personal. or, that he has not attained his
purpose.
Distinction between threat and robbery:
(1) As to intimidation – In robbery, the In order to convict a person of the crime of

intimidation is actual and immediate; light threats, the harm threatened must not
in threat, the intimidation is future be in the nature of crime and there is a
and conditional. demand for money or any other condition is
imposed, even though lawful.
(2) As to nature of intimidation – In
robbery, the intimidation is personal;
in threats, it may be through an
intermediary. Question & Answer
(3) As to subject matter – Robbery Blackmailing constitutes what crime?

refers to personal property; threat
may refer to the person, honor or It is a crime of light threat under
property. Article 283 if there is no threat to publish
any libelous or slanderous matter against
(4) As to intent to gain – In robbery, the offended party. If there is such a threat
there is intent to gain; in threats, to make a slanderous or libelous publication
intent to gain is not an essential against the offended party, the crime will be
element. one of libel, which is penalized under Article
356. For example, a person threatens to
(5) In robbery, the robber makes the expose the affairs of married man if the
danger involved in his threats latter does not give him money. There is
directly imminent to the victim and intimidation done under a demand.
the obtainment of his gain
immediate, thereby also taking rights The law imposes the penalty of bond for
to his person by the opposition or good behavior only in case of grave and
resistance which the victim might light threats. If the offender can not post the
offer; in threat, the danger to the bond, he will be banished by way of
victim is not instantly imminent nor destierro to prevent him from carrying out
the gain of the culprit immediate. his threat.
Article 283. Light Threats Article 285. Other Light Threats
Elements Actspunished
1. Offender makes a threat to commit a 1. Threatening another with a weapon,

wrong; or by drawing such weapon in a
quarrel, unless it be in lawful self- prohibited was illegal, he is not liable for
defense; grave coercion.
2. Orally threatening another, in the If a person prohibits another to do an act
heat of anger, with some harm because the act is a crime, even though
constituting a crime, without some sort of violence or intimidation is
persisting in the idea involved in his employed, it would not give rise to grave
threat; coercion. It may only give rise to threat or
physical injuries, if some injuries are
3. Orally threatening to do another any inflicted. However, in case of grave
harm not constituting a felony. coercion where the offended party is being
compelled to do something against his will,
whether it be wrong or not, the crime of
Article 286. Grave Coercions grave coercion is committed if violence or
intimidation is employed in order to compel
Actspunished him to do the act. No person shall take the
law into his own hands.
1. Preventing another, by means of
violence, threats or intimidation, from Illustration:
doing something not prohibited by
law; Compelling the debtor to deliver some of his
properties to pay a creditor will amount to
2. Compelling another, by means of coercion although the creditor may have a
violence, threats or intimidation, to right to collect payment from the debtor,
do something against his will, even if the obligation is long over due.
whether it be right or wrong.
The violence employed in grave coercion
Elements must be immediate, actual, or imminent. In
the absence of actual or imminent force or
1. A person prevented another from violence, coercion is not committed. The
doing something not prohibited by essence of coercion is an attack on
law, or that he compelled him to do individual liberty.
something against his will; be it right
or wrong; The physical violence is exerted to (1)
prevent a person from doing something he
2. The prevention or compulsion be wants to do; or (2) compel him to do
effected by violence, threats or something he does not want to do.
intimidation; and
Illustration:
3. The person that restrained the will
and liberty of another had not the If a man compels another to show the
authority of law or the right to do so, contents of the latter’s pockets, and takes
or in other words, that the restraint the wallet, this is robbery and not grave
shall not be made under authority of coercion. The intimidation is a means of
law or in the exercise of any lawful committing robbery with violence or
right. intimidation of persons. Violence is inherent
in the crime of robbery with violence or
intimidation upon persons and in usurpation
Grave coercion arises only if the act which of real properties because it is the means of
the offender prevented another to do is not committing the crime.
prohibited by law or ordinance. If the act
Exception to the rule that physical violence the offender who is a creditor in seizing
must be exerted: where intimidation is so anything belonging to his debtor for the
serious that it is not a threat anymore – it purpose of applying the same to the
approximates violence. payment of the debt.
In Lee v. CA, 201 SCAR 405, it was held In the other light coercions or unjust
that neither the crime of threats nor vexation embraced in the second
coercion is committed although the accused, paragraph, violence is absent.
a branch manager of a bank made the
complainant sign a withdrawal slip for the In unjust vexation, any act committed
amount needed to pay the spurious dollar without violence, but which unjustifiably
check she had encashed, and also made annoys or vexes an innocent person
her execute an affidavit regarding the return amounts to light coercion.
of the amount against her better sense and
judgment. According to the court, the As a punishable act, unjust vexation should
complainant may have acted reluctantly include any human conduct which, although
and with hesitation, but still, it was not productive of some physical or material
voluntary. It is different when a complainant harm would, however, unjustifiably annoy or
refuses absolutely to act such an extent that vex an innocent person.
she becomes a mere automaton and acts
mechanically only, not of her own will. In It is distinguished from grave coercion
this situation, the complainant ceases to under the first paragraph by the absence of
exits as an independent personality and the violence.
person who employs force or intimidation is,
in the eyes of the law, the one acting; while Illustration:
the hand of the complainant sign, the will
that moves it is the hand of the offender. Persons stoning someone else’s house. So
long as stoning is not serious and it is
intended to annoy, it is unjust vexation. It
Article 287. Light Coercions disturbs the peace of mind.
Elements The main purpose of the statute penalizing
coercion and unjust vexation is precisely to
1. Offender must be a creditor; enforce the principle that no person may
take the law into his hands and that our
2. He seizes anything belonging to his government is one of laws, not of men. The
debtor:
essence of the crimes is the attack on
individual liberty.
3. The seizure of the thing be
accomplished by means of violence
or a display of material force
Article 288. Other Similar Coercions
producing intimidation;
Actspunished:
4. The purpose of the offender is to 1. Forcing or compelling, directly or

apply the same to the payment of indirectly, or knowingly permitting the
the debt. forcing or compelling of the laborer
or employee of the offender to
purchase merchandise of
The first paragraph deals with light commodities of any kind from him;
coercions wherein violence is employed by
Elements: 1. Offender employs violence or

threats, in such a degree as to
1. Offender is any person, compel or force the laborers or
agent or officer of any employers in the free and legal
association or corporation; exercise of their industry or work;
2. He or such firm or 2. The purpose is to organize, maintain
corporation has employed or prevent coalitions of capital or
laborers or employees; labor, strike of laborers or lockout of
employers.
3. He forces or
compels, directly or
indirectly, or knowingly Article 290. Discovering Secrets through
permits to be Seizure of Correspondence
forced or compelled, any of
his or its laborers or Elements
employees to purchase
merchandise or commodities 1. Offender is a private individual or
of any kind from him or from even a public officer not in the
said firm or corporation. exercise of his official function;
2. Paying the wages due his laborer or 2. He seizes the papers or letters of
employee by means of tokens or another;
object other than the legal tender
currency of the Philippines, unless 3. The purpose is to discover the
expressly requested by such laborer secrets of such another person;
or employee.
4. Offender is informed of the contents
Elements: of the papers or letters seized.
1. Offender pays the wages due

a laborer or employee This is a crime against the security of one’s
employed by him by means papers and effects. The purpose must be
of tokens or object; to discover its effects. The act violates the
privacy of communication.
1. Those tokens or objects are
other than the legal tender
currency of the Philippines; According to Ortega, it is not necessary that
the offender should actually discover the
3. Such employee or laborer contents of the letter. Reyes, citing People
does not expressly request v. Singh, CA, 40 OG, Suppl. 5, 35,
that he be paid by means of believes otherwise.
tokens or objects.
The last paragraph of Article 290 expressly

Article 289. Formation, Maintenance, makes the provision of the first and second
and Prohibition of Combination of paragraph thereof inapplicable to parents,
Capital or Labor through Violence or guardians, or persons entrusted with the
Threats custody of minors placed under their care or
custody, and to the spouses with respect to
Elements the papers or letters of either of them. The
teachers or other persons entrusted with An employee, manager, or servant who

the care and education of minors are came to know of the secret of his master or
included in the exceptions. principal in such capacity and reveals the
same shall also be liable regardless of
In a case decided by the Supreme Court, a whether or not the principal or master
spouse who rummaged and found love suffered damages.
letters of husband to mistress does not
commit this crime, but the letters are The essence of this crime is that the
inadmissible in evidence because of offender learned of the secret in the course
unreasonable search and seizure. The of his employment. He is enjoying a
ruling held that the wife should have applied confidential relation with the employer or
for a search warrant. master so he should respect the privacy of
matters personal to the latter.
Distinction from estafa, damage to property,
and unjust vexation: If the matter pertains to the business of the
employer or master, damage is necessary
If the act had been executed with intent of and the agent, employee or servant shall
gain, it would be estafa;
always be liable. Reason: no one has a
right to the personal privacy of another.
If, on the other hand, the purpose was not
to defraud, but only to cause damage to
another’s, it would merit the qualification of
Article 292. Revelation of Industrial
damage to property;
Secrets
If the intention was merely to cause
Elements
vexation preventing another to do
something which the law does not prohibit
1. Offender is a person in charge,
or compel him to execute what he does not
employee or workman of a
want, the act should be considered as
manufacturing or industrial
unjust vexation.
establishment;
Revelation of secrets discovered not an
2. The manufacturing or industrial
element of the crime but only increases the
establishment has a secret of the
penalty.
industry which the offender has
learned;
Article 291. Revealing Secrets with
3. Offender reveals such secrets;
Abuse of Office
4. Prejudice is caused to the owner.
Elements
1. Offender is a manager, employee or A business secret must not be known to

servant; other business entities or persons. It is a
matter to be discovered, known and used
2. He learns the secrets of his principal by and must belong to one person or entity
or master in such capacity; exclusively. One who merely copies their
machines from those already existing and
3. He reveals such secrets. functioning cannot claim to have a business
secret, much less, a discovery within the
contemplation of Article 292.
17. Swindling a minor (Art. 317);

TITLE X. CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY
18. Other deceits (Art. 318);
Crimesagainstproperty
19. Removal, sale or pledge of
1. Robbery with violence against or mortgaged property (Art. 319);
intimidation of persons (Art. 294);
20. Destructive arson (Art. 320);
2. Attempted and frustrated robbery
committed under certain 21. Other forms of arson (Art. 321);
circumstances (Art. 297);
22. Arson of property of small value (Art.
3. Execution of deeds by means of 323);
violence or intimidation (Art. 298);
23. Crimes involving destruction (Art.
4. Robbery in an inhabited house or 324);
public building or edifice devoted to
worship (Art. 299); 24. Burning one’s own property as
means to commit arson (Art. 325);
5. Robbery in an inhabited place or in a
private building (Art. 302); 25. Setting fire to property exclusively
owned by the offender (Art. 326);
6. Possession of picklocks or similar
tools (Art. 304); 26. Malicious mischief (Art. 327);
7. Brigandage (Art. 306); 27. Special case of malicious mischief

(Art. 328);
8. Aiding and abetting a band of
brigands (Art. 307); 28. Damage and obstruction to means
of communication (Art. 330);
9. Theft (Art. 308);
29. Destroying or damaging statues,
10. Qualified theft (Art. 310); public monuments or paintings (Art.
331).
11. Theft of the property of the National
Library and National Museum (Art.
311); Article 293. Who Are Guilty of Robbery
12. Occupation of real property or Robbery – This is the taking or personal

usurpation of real rights in property property belonging to another, with intent to
(Art. 312); gain, by means of violence against, or
intimidation of any person, or using force
13. Altering boundaries or landmarks upon anything.
(Art. 313);
Elementsofrobberyingeneral
14. Fraudulent insolvency (Art. 314);

1. There is personal property belonging
15. Swindling (Art. 315); to another;
16. Other forms of swindling (Art. 316); 2. There is unlawful taking of that
property;
the physical injuries in consequence

3. The taking must be with intent to of which the person injured becomes
gain; and deformed or loses any other
member of his body or loses the sue
4. There is violence against or thereof or becomes ill or
intimidation of any person, or force incapacitated for the performance of
upon anything. the work in which he is habitually
engaged for more than 90 days or
the person injured becomes ill or
Article 294. Robbery with Violence incapacitated for labor for more than
against or Intimidation of Persons 30 days;
Actspunished 7. If the violence employed by the

offender does not cause any of the
1. When by reason or on occasion of serious physical injuries defined in
the robbery (taking of personal Article 263, or if the offender
property belonging to another with employs intimidation only.
intent to gain), the crime of homicide
is committed;
Violence or intimidation upon persons may
2. When the robbery is accompanied result in death or mutilation or rape or
by rape or intentional mutilation or serious physical injuries.
arson;
If death results or even accompanies a
3. When by reason of on occasion of robbery, the crime will be robbery with
such robbery, any of the physical homicide provided that the robbery is
injuries resulting in insanity, consummated.
imbecility, impotency or blindness is
inflicted; This is a crime against property, and
therefore, you contend not with the killing
4. When by reason or on occasion of but with the robbery.
robbery, any of the physical injuries
resulting in the loss of the use of As long as there is only one (1) robbery,
speech or the power to hear or to regardless of the persons killed, the crime
smell, or the loss of an eye, a hand, will only be one (1) count of robbery with
a foot, an arm, or a leg or the loss of homicide. The fact that there are multiple
the use of any such member or killings committed in the course of the
incapacity for the work in which the robbery will be considered only as
injured person is theretofore aggravating so as to call for the imposition
habitually engaged is inflicted; of the maximum penalty prescribed by law.
5. If the violence or intimidation If, on the occasion or by reason of the

employed in the commission of the robbery, somebody is killed, and there are
robbery is carried to a degree also physical injuries inflicted by reason or
unnecessary for the commission of on the occasion of the robbery, don’t think
the crime; that those who sustained physical injuries
may separately prosecute the offender for
6. When in the course of its execution, physical injuries. Those physical injuries
the offender shall have inflicted upon are only considered aggravating
any person not responsible for the circumstances in the crime of robbery with
commission of the robbery any of homicide.
homicide is used in the generic sense. It

This is not a complex crime as understood refers to any kind of death.
under Article 48, but a single indivisible
crime. This is a special complex crime Although it is a crime against property and
because the specific penalty is provided in treachery is an aggravating circumstance
the law. that applies only to crimes against persons,
if the killing in a robbery is committed with
In Napolis v. CA, it was held that when treachery, the treachery will be considered a
violence or intimidation and force upon generic aggravating circumstance because
things are both present in the robbery, the of the homicide.
crime is complex under Article 48.
When two or more persons are killed during
In robbery with violence of intimidation, the the robbery, such should be appreciated as
taking is complete when the offender has an aggravating circumstance.
already the possession of the thing even if
he has no opportunity to dispose of it. As long as there is only one robbery,
regardless of the persons killed, you only
In robbery with force upon things, the things have one crime of robbery with homicide.
must be brought outside the building for Note, however, that “one robbery” does not
consummated robbery to be committed. mean there is only one taking.
Illustration:
On robbery with homicide
Robbers decided to commit robbery in a
The term “homicide” is used in the generic house, which turned out to be a boarding
sense, and the complex crime therein house. Thus, there were different boarders
contemplated comprehends not only who were offended parties in the robbery.
robbery with homicide in its restricted There is only one count of robbery. If there
sense, but also with robbery with murder. were killings done to different boarders
So, any kind of killing by reason of or on the during the robbery being committed in a
occasion of a robbery will bring about the boarder’s quarter, do not consider that as
crime of robbery with homicide even if the separate counts of robbery with homicide
person killed is less than three days old, or because when robbers decide to commit
even if the person killed is the mother or robbery in a certain house, they are only
father of the killer, or even if on such impelled by one criminal intent to rob and
robbery the person killed was done by there will only be one case of robbery. If
treachery or any of the qualifying there were homicide or death committed,
circumstances. In short, there is no crime that would only be part of a single robbery.
of robbery with parricide, robbery with That there were several killings done would
murder, robbery with infanticide – any and only aggravate the commission of the crime
all forms of killing is referred to as homicide. of robbery with homicide.
Illustration:
The robbers enter the house. In entering

through the window, one of the robbers
stepped on a child less than three days old.
The crime is not robbery with infanticide
because there is no such crime. The word
homicide as used in defining robbery with
In People v. Quiñones, 183 SCRA 747, it connected with the robbery or not. He need
was held that there is no crime of robbery not also be in the place of the robbery.
with multiple homicides. The charge should
be for robbery with homicide only because In one case, in the course of the struggle in
the number of persons killed is immaterial a house where the robbery was being
and does not increase the penalty committed, the owner of the place tried to
prescribed in Article 294. All the killings are wrest the arm of the robber. A person
merged in the composite integrated whole several meters away was the one who got
that is robbery with homicide so long as the killed. The crime was held to be robbery
killings were by reason or on occasion of with homicide.
the robbery.
Note that the person killed need not be one
In another case, a band of robbers entered who is identified with the owner of the place
a compound, which is actually a sugar mill. where the robbery is committed or one who
Within the compound, there were quarters is a stranger to the robbers. It is enough
of the laborers. They robbed each of the that the homicide was committed by reason
quarters. The Supreme Court held that of the robbery or on the occasion thereof.
there was only one count of robbery
because when they decided and Illustration:
determined to rob the compound, they were
only impelled by one criminal intent to rob. There are two robbers who broke into a
house and carried away some valuables.
With more reason, therefore, if in a robbery, After they left such house these two robbers
the offender took away property belonging decided to cut or divide the loot already so
to different owners, as long as the taking that they can go of them. So while they are
was done at one time, and in one place, dividing the loot the other robber noticed
impelled by the same criminal intent to gain, that the one doing the division is trying to
there would only be one count of robbery. cheat him and so he immediately boxed
him. Now this robber who was boxed then
In robbery with homicide as a single pulled out his gun and fired at the other one
indivisible offense, it is immaterial who gets killing the latter. Would that bring about the
killed. Even though the killing may have crime of robbery with homicide? Yes. Even
resulted from negligence, you will still if the robbery was already consummated,
designate the crime as robbery with the killing was still by reason of the robbery
homicide. because they quarreled in dividing the loot
that is the subject of the robbery.
Illustration:
On the occasion of a robbery, one of the

offenders placed his firearm on the table.
While they were ransacking the place, one
of the robbers bumped the table. As a
result, the firearm fell on the floor and
discharged. One of the robbers was the
one killed. Even though the placing of the
firearm on the table where there is no safety
precaution taken may be considered as one
of negligence or imprudence, you do not
separate the homicide as one of the product
of criminal negligence. It will still be robbery
with homicide, whether the person killed is
In People v. Domingo, 184 SCRA 409, on

the occasion of the robbery, the storeowner, Where the victims were killed, not for the
a septuagenarian, suffered a stroke due to purpose of committing robbery, and the idea
the extreme fear which directly caused his of taking the money and other personal
death when the robbers pointed their guns property of the victims was conceived by
at him. It was held that the crime committed the culprits only after the killing, it was held
was robbery with homicide. It is immaterial in People v. Domingo, 184 SCRA 409, that
that death supervened as a mere accident the culprits committed two separate crimes
as long as the homicide was produced by of homicide or murder (qualified by abuse of
reason or on the occasion of the robbery, superior strength) and theft.
because it is only the result which matters,
without reference to the circumstances or The victims were killed first then their
causes or persons intervening in the money was taken the money from their
commission of the crime which must be dead bodies. This is robbery with homicide.
considered. It is important here that the intent to commit
robbery must precede the taking of human
Remember also that intent to rob must be life in robbery with homicide. The offender
proved. But there must be an allegation as must have the intent to take personal
to the robbery not only as to the intention to property before the killing.
rob.
It must be conclusively shown that the
If the motive is to kill and the taking is homicide was committed for the purpose of
committed thereafter, the crimes committed robbing the victim. In People v. Hernandez,
are homicide and theft. If the primordial appellants had not thought of robbery prior
intent of the offender is to kill and not to rob to the killing. The thought of taking the
but after the killing of the victims a robbery victim’s wristwatch was conceived only after
was committed, then there are will be two the killing and throwing of the victim in the
separate crimes. canal. Appellants were convicted of two
separate crimes of homicide and theft as
Illustration: there is absent direct relation and intimate
connection between the robbery and the
If a person had an enemy and killed him killing.
and after killing him, saw that he had a
beautiful ring and took this, the crime would
be not robbery with homicide because the On robbery with rape
primary criminal intent is to kill. So, there
will be two crimes: one for the killing and This is another form of violence or
one for the taking of the property after the intimidation upon person. The rape
victim was killed. Now this would bring accompanies the robbery. In this case
about the crime of theft and it could not be where rape and not homicide is committed,
robbery anymore because the person is there is only a crime of robbery with rape if
already dead. both the robbery and the rape are
consummated. If during the robbery,
For robbery with homicide to exist, homicide attempted rape were committed, the crimes
must be committed by reason or on the would be separate, that is, one for robbery
occasion of the robbery, that is, the and one for the attempted rape.
homicide must be committed “in the course
or because of the robbery.” Robbery and The rape committed on the occasion of the
homicide are separate offenses when the robbery is not considered a private crime
homicide is not committed “on the occasion” because the crime is robbery, which is a
or “by reason” of the robbery. crime against property. So, even though
the robber may have married the woman and the offender’s prurient desires
raped, the crime remains robbery with rape. surfaced. They persisted in satisfying their
The rape is not erased. This is because the lust. They would have forgotten about their
crime is against property which is a single intent to rob if not for the accidental
indivisible offense. touching of the victim’s ring and wristwatch.
The taking of the victim’s valuables turned
If the woman, who was raped on the out to be an afterthought. It was held that
occasion of the robbery, pardoned the rapist two distinct crimes were committed: rape
who is one of the robbers, that would not with homicide and theft.
erase the crime of rape. The offender
would still be prosecuted for the crime of In People v. Dinola, 183 SCRA 493, it was
robbery with rape, as long as the rape is held that if the original criminal design of the
consummated. accused was to commit rape and after
committing the rape, the accused
If the rape is attempted, since it will be a committed robbery because the opportunity
separate charge and the offended woman presented itself, two distinct crimes – rape
pardoned the offender, that would bring and robbery were committed – not robbery
about a bar to the prosecution of the with rape. In the latter, the criminal intent to
attempted rape. If the offender married the gain must precede the intent to rape.
offended woman, that would extinguish the
criminal liability because the rape is the
subject of a separate prosecution. On robbery with physical injuries
The intention must be to commit robbery To be considered as such, the physical
and even if the rape is committed before the injuries must always be serious. If the
robbery, robbery with rape is committed. physical injuries are only less serious or
But if the accused tried to rape the offended slight, they are absorbed in the robbery.
party and because of resistance, he failed The crime becomes merely robbery. But if
to consummate the act, and then he the less serious physical injuries were
snatched the vanity case from her hands committed after the robbery was already
when she ran away, two crimes are consummated, there would be a separate
committed: attempted rape and theft. charge for the less serious physical injuries.
It will only be absorbed in the robbery if it
There is no complex crime under Article 48 was inflicted in the course of the execution
because a single act is not committed and of the robbery. The same is true in the case
attempted rape is not a means necessary to of slight physical injuries.
commit theft and vice-versa.
Illustration:
The Revised Penal Code does not
differentiate whether rape was committed After the robbery had been committed and
before, during or after the robbery. It is the robbers were already fleeing from the
enough that the robbery accompanied the house where the robbery was committed,
rape. Robbery must not be a mere accident the owner of the house chased them and
or afterthought. the robbers fought back. If only less serious
physical injuries were inflicted, there will be
In People v. Flores, 195 SCRA 295, separate crimes: one for robbery and one
although the offenders plan was to get the for less serious physical injuries.
victim’s money, rape her and kill her, but in
the actual execution of the crime, the But if after the robbery was committed and
thoughts of depriving the victim of her the robbers were already fleeing from the
valuables was relegated to the background house where the robbery was committed,
the owner or members of the family of the the crime will still be robbery with serious
owner chased them, and they fought back physical injuries.
and somebody was killed, the crime would
still be robbery with homicide. But if serious If the robbers quarreled over the loot and
physical injuries were inflicted and the one of the robbers hacked the other robber
serious physical injuries rendered the victim causing a deformity in his face, the crime
impotent or insane or the victim lost the use will only be robbery and a separate charge
of any of his senses or lost a part of his for the serious physical injuries because
body, the crime would still be robbery with when it is a deformity that is caused, the
serious physical injuries. The physical law requires that the deformity must have
injuries (serious) should not be separated been inflicted upon one who is not a
regardless of whether they retorted in the participant in the robbery. Moreover, the
course of the commission of the robbery or physical injuries which gave rise to the
even after the robbery was consummated. deformity or which incapacitated the
offended party from labor for more than 30
In Article 299, it is only when the physical days, must have been inflicted in the course
injuries resulted in the deformity or of the execution of the robbery or while the
incapacitated the offended party from labor robbery was taking place.
for more than 30 days that the law requires
such physical injuries to have been inflicted If it was inflicted when the thieves/robbers
in the course of the execution of the are already dividing the spoils, it cannot be
robbery, and only upon persons who are not considered as inflicted in the course of
responsible in the commission of the execution of the robbery and hence, it will
robbery. not give rise to the crime of robbery with
serious physical injuries. You only have one
But if the physical injuries inflicted are those count of robbery and another count for the
falling under subdivision 1 and 2 of Article serious physical injuries inflicted.
263, even though the physical injuries were
inflicted upon one of the robbers If, during or on the occasion or by reason of
themselves, and even though it had been the robbery, a killing, rape or serious
inflicted after the robbery was already physical injuries took place, there will only
consummated, the crime will still be robbery be one crime of robbery with homicide
with serious physical injuries. There will
because all of these – killing, rape, serious
only be one count of accusation.
physical injuries -- are contemplated by law
as the violence or intimidation which
Illustration:
characterizes the taking as on of robbery.
You charge the offenders of robbery with
After the robbers fled from the place where
homicide. The rape or physical injuries will
the robbery was committed, they decided to
only be appreciated as aggravating
divide the spoils and in the course of the
circumstance and is not the subject of a
division of the spoils or the loot, they
separate prosecution. They will only call for
quarreled. They shot it out and one of the
the imposition of the penalty in the
robbers was killed. The crime is still
maximum period.
robbery with homicide even though one of
the robbers was the one killed by one of
If on the occasion of the robbery with
them. If they quarreled and serious
homicide, robbery with force upon things
physical injuries rendered one of the
was also committed, you will not have only
robbers impotent, blind in both eyes, or got
one robbery but you will have a complex
insane, or he lost the use of any of his
crime of robbery with homicide and robbery
senses, lost the use of any part of his body,
with force upon things (see Napolis v. CA).
This is because robbery with violence or
intimidation upon persons is a separate

circumstance. It is essential that robbery
crime from robbery with force upon things.
precedes the arson, as in the case of rape
and intentional mutilation, because the
Robbery with homicide, robbery with
amendment included arson among the rape
intentional mutilation and robbery with rape
and intentional mutilation which have
are not qualified by band or uninhabited
accompanied the robbery.
place. These aggravating circumstances
only qualify robbery with physical injuries
Moreover, it should be noted that arson has
under subdivision 2, 3, and 4 of Article 299.
been made a component only of robbery
with violence against or intimidation of
When it is robbery with homicide, the band
persons in said Article 294, but not of
or uninhabited place is only a generic
robbery by the use of force upon things in
aggravating circumstance. It will not qualify
Articles 299 and 302.
the crime to a higher degree of penalty.
So, if the robbery was by the use of force
In People v. Salvilla, it was held that if in a
upon things and therewith arson was
robbery with serious physical injuries, the
committed, two distinct crimes are
offenders herded the women and children
committed.
into an office and detained them to compel
the offended party to come out with the
money, the crime of serious illegal detention
Article 295. Robbery with Physical
was a necessary means to facilitate the
Injuries, Committed in An Uninhabited
robbery; thus, the complex crimes of
Place and by A Band
robbery with serious physical injuries and
serious illegal detention.
Robbery with violence against or
intimidation of personqualifiedisqualifiedif itis
But if the victims were detained because of
committed
the timely arrival of the police, such that the
offenders had no choice but to detain the
1. In an uninhabited place;
victims as hostages in exchange for their
safe passage, the detention is absorbed by
2. By a band;
the crime of robbery and is not a separate
crime. This was the ruling in People v.
3. By attacking a moving train, street
Astor. car, motor vehicle, or airship;
4. By entering the passengers’

On robbery with arson compartments in a train, or in any
manner taking the passengers
Another innovation of Republic Act No.
thereof by surprise in the respective
7659 is the composite crime of robbery with
conveyances; or
arson if arson is committed by reason of or
on occasion of the robbery. The composite
5. On a street, road, highway or alley,
crime would only be committed if the
and the intimidation is made with the
primordial intent of the offender is to commit
use of firearms, the offender shall be
robber and there is no killing, rape, or
intentional mutilation committed by the punished by the maximum periods of
offender during the robbery. Otherwise, the the proper penalties prescribed in
crime would be robbery with homicide, or Article 294.
robbery with rape, or robbery with
intentional mutilation, in that order, and the
arson would only be an aggravating Article 296 defines a robbery by a band as
follows: when at least four armed
malefactors take part in the commission of a

b. By breaking any wall, roof or
robbery.
floor, or breaking any door or
window;
Requisites for liability for the acts of the
c. By using false keys,
othermembersoftheband
picklocks or similar tools; or
1. He was a member of the band;
d. By using any fictitious name
or pretending the exercise of
2. He was present at the commission
public authority.
of a robbery by that band;
3. Once inside the building, offender
3. The other members of the band
committed an assault; took personal property belonging to
another with intent to gain.
4. He did not attempt to prevent the
assault.
Elementsundersubdivision(b):
Article 298. Execution of Deeds by 1. Offender is inside a dwelling house,

Means of Violence or intimidation public building, or edifice devoted to
religious worship, regardless of the
Elements circumstances under which he
entered it;
1. Offender has intent to defraud
another; 2. Offender takes personal property
belonging to another, with intent to
2. Offender compels him to sign, gain, under any of the following
execute, or deliver any public circumstances:
instrument or document.
a. By the breaking of doors,
3. The compulsion is by means of wardrobes, chests, or any
violence or intimidation. other kind of locked or sealed
furniture or receptacle; or
Article 299. Robbery in An Inhabited b. By taking such furniture or

House or Public Building or Edifice objects away to be broken or
Devoted to Worship forced open outside the
place of the robbery.
Elementsundersubdivision(a)
1. Offender entered an inhabited "Force upon things" has a technical

house, public building meaning in law. Not any kind of force upon
things will characterize the taking as one of
2. The entrance was effected by any of robbery. The force upon things
the following means: contemplated requires some element of
trespass into the establishment where the
a. Through an opening not robbery was committed. In other words, the
intended for entrance or offender must have entered the premises
egress; where the robbery was committed. If no
entry was effected, even though force may
have been employed actually in the taking
of the property from within the premises, the

On a sari-sari store, a vehicle bumped the
crime will only be theft.
wall. The wall collapsed. There was a
small opening there. At night, a man
Two predicates that will give rise to the
entered through that opening without
crime as robbery:
breaking the same. The crime will already
be robbery if he takes property from within
1. By mere entering alone, a robbery
because that is not an opening intended for
will be committed if any personal
the purpose.
property is taken from within;
Even of there is a breaking of wall, roof,
2. The entering will not give rise to
floor or window, but the offender did not
robbery even if something is taken
enter, it would not give rise to robbery with
inside. It is the breaking of the
force upon things.
receptacle or closet or cabinet
where the personal property is kept
Breaking of the door under Article299 (b) –
that will give rise to robbery, or the
Originally, the interpretation was that in
taking of a sealed, locked receptacle
order that there be a breaking of the door in
to be broken outside the premises.
contemplation of law, there must be some
damage to the door.
If by the mere entering, that would already
qualify the taking of any personal property
Before, if the door was not damaged but
inside as robbery, it is immaterial whether
only the lock attached to the door was
the offender stays inside the premises. The
broken, the taking from within is only theft.
breaking of things inside the premises will
But the ruling is now abandoned because
only be important to consider if the entering
the door is considered useless without the
by itself will not characterize the crime as
lock. Even if it is not the door that was
robbery with force upon things.
broken but only the lock, the breaking of the
lock renders the door useless and it is
Modes of entering that would give rise to
therefore tantamount to the breaking of the
the crime of robbery with force upon things
door. Hence, the taking inside is
if something is taken inside the premises:
considered robbery with force upon things.
entering into an opening not intended for
entrance or egress, under Article 299 (a).
If the entering does not characterize the
taking inside as one of robbery with force
Illustration:
upon things, it is the conduct inside that
would give rise to the robbery if there would
The entry was made through a fire escape.
be a breaking of sealed, locked or closed
The fire escape was intended for egress.
receptacles or cabinet in order to get the
The entry will not characterize the taking as
personal belongings from within such
one of robbery because it is an opening
receptacles, cabinet or place where it is
intended for egress, although it may not be
kept.
intended for entrance. If the entering were
done through the window, even if the
If in the course of committing the robbery
window was not broken, that would
within the premises some interior doors are
characterize the taking of personal property
broken, the taking from inside the room
inside as robbery because the window is not
where the door leads to will only give rise to
an opening intended for entrance.
theft. The breaking of doors contemplated
in the law refers to the main door of the
Illustration:
house and not the interior door.
But if it is the door of a cabinet that is Certain men pretended to be from

broken and the valuable inside the cabinet the Price Control Commission and went to a
was taken, the breaking of the cabinet door warehouse owned by a private person.
would characterize the taking as robbery. They told the guard to open the warehouse
Although that particular door is not included purportedly to see if the private person is
as part of the house, the cabinet keeps the hoarding essential commodities there. The
contents thereof safe. guard obliged. They went inside and broke
in . They loaded some of the merchandise
Use of picklocks or false keys refers to the inside claiming that it is the product of
entering into the premises – If the picklock hoarding and then drove away. What crime
or false key was used not to enter the was committed?
premises because the offender had already
entered but was used to unlock an interior It is only theft because the premises
door or even a receptacle where the where the simulation of public authority was
valuable or personal belonging was taken, committed is not an inhabited house, not a
the use of false key or picklock will not give public building, and not a place devoted to
rise to the robbery with force upon things religious worship. Where the house is a
because these are considered by law as private building or is uninhabited, even
only a means to gain entrance, and not to though there is simulation of public authority
extract personal belongings from the place in committing the taking or even if he used
where it is being kept. a fictitious name, the crime is only theft.
The law classifies robbery with force upon Note that in the crime of robbery with force
things as those committed in:
upon things, what should be considered is
the means of entrance and means of taking
(1) an inhabited place;
the personal property from within. If those
means do not come within the definition
(2) public buildings;
under the Revised Penal Code, the taking
will only give rise to theft.
(3) a place devoted to religious worship.
Those means must be employed in
The law also considers robbery committed
entering. If the offender had already
not in an inhabited house or in a private entered when these means were employed,
building.
anything taken inside, without breaking of
any sealed or closed receptacle, will not
Note that the manner of committing the
give rise to robbery.
robbery with force upon things is not the
same.
Illustration:
When the robbery is committed in a house
A found B inside his (A’s) house. He asked
which is inhabited, or in a public building or
B what the latter was doping there. B
in a place devoted to religious worship, the
claimed he is an inspector from the local
use of fictitious name or pretension to
city government to look after the electrical
possess authority in order to gain entrance
installations. At the time B was chanced
will characterize the taking inside as robbery
upon by A, he has already entered. So
with force upon things.
anything he took inside without breaking of
any sealed or closed receptacle will not give
rise to robbery because the simulation of
Question & Answer public authority was made not in order to
enter but when he has already entered.
Article 301 defines an inhabited house, b. A wall, roof, floor, or outside

public building, or building dedicated to door or window was broken;
religious worship and their dependencies,
thus: c. The entrance was effected
through the use of false keys,
Inhabited house – Any shelter, ship, or picklocks or other similar
vessel constituting the dwelling of one or tools;
more persons, even though the inhabitants
thereof shall temporarily be absent d. A door, wardrobe, chest, or
therefrom when the robbery is committed. any sealed or closed
furniture or receptacle was
Public building – Includes every building broken; or
owned by the government or belonging to a
private person but used or rented by the e. A closed or sealed receptacle
government, although temporarily was removed, even if the
unoccupied by the same. same be broken open
elsewhere.
Dependencies of an inhabited house, public
building, or building dedicated to religious 3. Offender took therefrom personal
worship – All interior courts, corrals, property belonging to another with
warehouses, granaries, barns, intent to gain.
coachhouses, stables, or other
departments, or enclosed interior entrance
connected therewith and which form part of Under Article 303, if the robbery under
the whole. Orchards and other lands used Article 299 and 302 consists in the taking of
for cultivation or production are not cereals, fruits, or firewood, the penalty
included, even if closed, contiguous to the imposable is lower.
building, and having direct connection
therewith.
Article 304. Possession of Picklock or
Similar Tools
Article 302. Robbery in An Uninhabited
Place or in A Private Building Elements
Elements 1. Offender has in his possession
picklocks or similar tools;
1. Offender entered an uninhabited
place or a building which was not a 2. Such picklock or similar tools are
dwelling house, not a public building, especially adopted to the
or not an edifice devoted to religious commission of robbery;
worship;
3. Offender does not have lawful cause
2. Any of the following circumstances for such possession.
was present:
a. The entrance was effected Article 305 defines false keys to include the
through an opening not following:
intended for entrance or
egress; 1. Tools mentioned in Article 304;
2. Genuine keys stolen from the owner;

a. He in any manner aids, abets

3. Any key other than those intended or protects such band of
by the owner for use in the lock brigands;
forcibly opened by the offender.
b. He gives them information of
the movements of the police
Brigandage – This is a crime committed by or other peace officers of the
more than three armed persons who form a government; or
band of robbers for the purpose of
committing robbery in the highway or c. He acquires or receives the
kidnapping persons for the purpose of property taken by such
extortion or to obtain ransom, or for any brigands.
other purpose to be attained by means of
force and violence.
Distinction between brigandage under the
Article 306. Who Are Brigands Revised Penal Code and highway
robbery/brigandage under Presidential
Elementsofbrigandage DecreeNo.532:
1. There are least four armed persons; (1) Brigandage as a crime under the
Revised Penal Code refers to the
2. They formed a band of robbers; formation of a band of robbers by
more than three armed persons for
2. The purpose is any of the following: the purpose of committing robbery in
the highway, kidnapping for

a. To commit robbery in the purposes of extortion or ransom, or
highway; for any other purpose to be attained
by force and violence. The mere
b. To kidnap persons for the forming of a band, which requires at
purpose of extortion or to least four armed persons, if for any
obtain ransom; or of the criminal purposes stated in
Article 306, gives rise to brigandage.
c. To attain by means of force
and violence any other (2) Highway robbery/brigandage under
purpose. Presidential Decree No. 532 is the
seizure of any person for ransom,
extortion or for any other lawful
Article 307. Aiding and Abetting A Band purposes, or the taking away of the
of Brigands property of another by means of
violence against or intimidation of
Elements persons or force upon things or
other unlawful means committed by
1. There is a band of brigands; any person on any Philippine
highway.
2. Offender knows the band to be of
brigands; Brigandage under Presidential Decree No.
532 refers to the actual commission of the
3. Offender does any of the following robbery on the highway and can be
acts: committed by one person alone. It is this
brigandage which deserves some attention
because not any robbery in a highway is
brigandage or highway robbery. A depredation wherein the unlawful acts are

distinction should be made between directed not only against specific, intended
highway robbery/brigandage under the or preconceived victims, but against any
decree and ordinary robbery committed on and all prospective victims anywhere on the
a highway under the Revised Penal Code. highway and whoever they may potentially
be.
In People v. Puno, decided February 17,
1993, the trial court convicted the accused
of highway robbery/ brigandage under Article 308. Who Are Liable for Theft
Presidential Decree No. 532 and sentenced
them to reclusion perpetua. On appeal, the
Personsliable
Supreme Court set aside the judgment and
found the accused guilty of simple robbery
1. Those who with intent to gain, but
as punished in Article 294 (5), in relation to
without violence against or
Article 295, and sentenced them
accordingly. The Supreme Court pointed intimidation of persons nor force
out that the purpose of brigandage “is, inter upon things, take personal property
alia, indiscriminate highway robbery. And of another without the latter’s
that PD 532 punishes as highway robbery consent;
or Brigandage only acts of robbery
perpetrated by outlaws indiscriminately 2. Those who having found lost
against any person or persons on a property, fails to deliver the same to
Philippine highway as defined therein, not the local authorities or to its owner;
acts committed against a predetermined or
particular victim”. A single act of robbery 3. Those who, after having maliciously
against a particular person chosen by the damaged the property of another,
offender as his specific victim, even if remove or make use of the fruits or
committed on a highway, is not highway objects of the damage caused by
robbery or brigandage. them;
In US v. Feliciano, 3 Phil. 422, it was 4. Those who enter an enclosed estate

pointed out that highway robbery or or a field where trespass is forbidden
brigandage is more than ordinary robbery or which belongs to another and,
committed on a highway. The purpose of without the consent of its owner,
brigandage is indiscriminate robbery in hunt or fish upon the same or gather
highways. If the purpose is only a particular fruits, cereals or other forest or farm
robbery, the crime is only robbery or products.
robbery in band, if there are at least four
armed participants.
Elements
Presidential Decree No. 532 introduced
amendments to Article 306 and 307 by 1. There is taking of personal property;
increasing the penalties. It does not require
at least four armed persons forming a band 2. The property taken belongs to
of robbers. It does not create a another;
presumption that the offender is a brigand
when he an unlicensed firearm is used 3. The taking was done with intent to
unlike the Revised Penal Code. But the gain;
essence of brigandage under the Revised
Penal Code is the same as that in the 4. The taking was done without the
consent of the owner;
Presidential Decree, that is, crime of
5. The taking is accomplished without fencing even if he paid the price because of
the use of violence against or the presumption.
intimidation of persons of force upon
things. Cattle Rustling and Qualified Theft of Large
Cattle – The crime of cattle-rustling is
defined and punished under Presidential
Fencing under Presidential Decree No. Decree No. 533, the Anti-Cattle Rustling law
1612 is a distinct crime from theft and of 1974, as the taking by any means,
robbery. If the participant who profited is method or scheme, of any large cattle, with
being prosecuted with person who robbed, or without intent to gain and whether
the person is prosecuted as an accessory. committed with or without violence against
If he is being prosecuted separately, the or intimidation of person or force upon
person who partook of the proceeds is things, so long as the taking is without the
liable for fencing.
consent of the owner/breed thereof. The
crime includes the killing or taking the meat
In People v. Judge de Guzman, it was or hide of large cattle without the consent of
held that fencing is not a continuing offense.
the owner.
Jurisdiction is with the court of the place
where the personal property subject of the
Since the intent to gain is not essential, the
robbery or theft was possessed, bought,
killing or destruction of large cattle, even
kept, or dealt with. The place where the
without taking any part thereof, is not a
theft or robbery was committed was
crime of malicious mischief but cattle-
inconsequential.
rustling.
Since Section 5 of Presidential Decree No.
The Presidential Decree, however, does not
1612 expressly provides that mere
supersede the crime of qualified theft of
possession of anything of value which has
large cattle under Article 310 of the Revised
been subject of theft or robbery shall be
Penal Code, but merely modified the
prima facie evidence of fencing, it follows
penalties provided for theft of large cattle
that a possessor of stolen goods is
presumed to have knowledge that the and, to that extent, amended Articles 309
goods found in his possession after the fact and 310. Note that the overt act that gives
of theft or robbery has been established. rise to the crime of cattle-rustling is the
The presumption does not offend the taking or killing of large cattle. Where the
presumption of innocence in the large cattle was not taken, but received by
fundamental law. This was the ruling in the offender from the owner/overseer
Pamintuan v. People, decided on July 11, thereof, the crime is not cattle-rustling; it is
1994. qualified theft of large cattle.
Burden of proof is upon fence to overcome Where the large cattle was received by the
presumption; if explanation insufficient or offender who thereafter misappropriated it,
unsatisfactory, court will convict. This is a the crime is qualified theft under Article 310
malum prohibitum so intent is not material. if only physical or material possession
But if prosecution is under the Revised thereof was yielded to him. If both material
Penal Code, as an accessory, the criminal and juridical possession thereof was yielded
intent is controlling. to him who misappropriated the large cattle,
the crime would be estafa under Article 315
When there is notice to person buying, (1b).
there may be fencing such as when the
price is way below ordinary prices; this may
serve as notice. He may be liable for
Presidential Decree No. 533 is not a special If the property stolen is any property of the
law in the context of Article 10 of the National Library or of the National Museum
Revised Penal Code. It merely modified the
penalties provided for theft of large cattle Article 312. Occupation of Real Property
under the Revised Penal Code and or Usurpation of Real Rights in Property
amended Article 309 and 310. This is
explicit from Section 10 of the Presidential Actspunished:
Decree. Consequently, the trial court
should not have convicted the accused of 1. Taking possession of any real
frustrated murder separately from cattle- property belonging to another by
rustling, since the former should have been means of violence against or
absorbed by cattle-rustling as killing was a intimidation of persons;
result of or on the occasion of cattle-
rustling. It should only be an aggravating 2. Usurping any real rights in property
circumstance. But because the information belonging to another by means of
did not allege the injury, the same can no violence against or intimidation of
longer be appreciated; the crime should, persons.
therefore be only, simple cattle-rustling.
(People v. Martinada, February 13, 1991)
Elements
Article 310. Qualified Theft 1. Offender takes possession of any
real property or usurps any real
Theftisqualifiedif rights in property;
1. Committed by a domestic servant; 2. The real property or real rights

belong to another;
2. Committed with grave abuse of
confidence; 3. Violence against or intimidation of
persons is used by the offender in
3. The property stolen is a motor occupying real property or usurping
vehicle, mail matter, or large cattle; real rights in property;
4. The property stolen consists of 4. There is intent to gain.

coconuts taken from the premises of
a plantation;
Use the degree of intimidation to determine

5. The property stolen is fish taken the degree of the penalty to be applied for
from a fishpond or fishery; or the usurpation.
6. If property is taken on the occasion Usurpation under Article 312 is committed
of fire, earthquake, typhoon, volcanic in the same way as robbery with violence or
eruption, or any other calamity, intimidation of persons. The main
vehicular accident, or civil difference is that in robbery, personal
disturbance. property is involved; while in usurpation of
real rights, it is real property. (People v.
Judge Alfeche, July 23, 1992)
Article 311. Theft of the Property of the
National Library or National Museum Usurpation of real rights and property
should not be complexed using Article 48
when violence or intimidation is committed.
There is only a single crime, but a two- On squatting

tiered penalty is prescribed to be
determined on whether the acts of violence According to the Urban Development and
used is akin to that in robbery in Article 294, Housing Act, the following are squatters:
grave threats or grave coercion and an
incremental penalty of fine based on the 1. Those who have the capacity or means
value of the gain obtained by the offender. to pay rent or for legitimate housing but
are squatting anyway;
Therefore, it is not correct to state that the
threat employed in usurping real property is 2. Also the persons who were awarded lots
absorbed in the crime; otherwise, the but sold or lease them out;
additional penalty would be meaningless.
3. Intruders of lands reserved for socialized
The complainant must be the person upon housing, pre-empting possession by
whom violence was employed. If a tenant occupying the same.
was occupying the property and he was
threatened by the offender, but it was the
owner who was not in possession of the Article 313. Altering Boundaries or
property who was named as the offended Landmarks
party, the same may be quashed as it does
not charge an offense. The owner would, at Elements
most, be entitled to civil recourse only.
1. There are boundary marks or
monuments of towns, provinces, or
On carnapping and theft of motor vehicle estates, or any other marks intended
to designate the boundaries of the
The taking with intent to gain of a motor same;
vehicle belonging to another, without the
latter’s consent, or by means of violence or 2. Offender alters said boundary
intimidation of persons, or by using force marks.
upon things is penalized as carnapping
under Republic Act No. 6539 (An Act
Preventing and Penalizing Carnapping), Article 314. Fraudulent Insolvency
as amended. The overt act which is being
punished under this law as carnapping is Elements
also the taking of a motor vehicle under
circumstances of theft or robbery. If the 1. Offender is a debtor, that is, he has
motor vehicle was not taken by the offender obligations due and payable;
but was delivered by the owner or the
possessor to the offender, who thereafter 2. He absconds with his property;
misappropriated the same, the crime is
either qualified theft under Article 310 of the 3. There is prejudice to his creditors.
Revised Penal Code or estafa under Article
315 (b) of the Revised Penal Code.
Qualified theft of a motor vehicle is the Article 315. Swindling (Estafa)
crime if only the material or physical
possession was yielded to the offender; Elementsingeneral
otherwise, if juridical possession was also
yielded, the crime is estafa. 1. Accused defrauded another by
abuse of confidence or by means of
deceit; and
property by the offender, or denial on

This covers the three different ways his part of such receipt;
of committing estafa under Article
315; thus, estafa is committed – 3. Such misappropriation or conversion
or denial is to the prejudice of
a. With unfaithfulness or abuse another; and
of confidence;
4. There is a demand made by the
b. By means of false pretenses offended party to the offender.
or fraudulents acts; or
(The fourth element is not necessary
c. Through fraudulent means. when there is evidence of
misappropriation of the goods by the
(The first form under subdivision 1 is defendant. [Tubb v. People, et al.,
known as estafa with abuse of 101 Phil. 114] ).
confidence; and the second and
third forms under subdivisions 2 and
3 cover cover estafa by means of Under Presidential Decree No. 115, the
deceit.) failure of the entrustee to turn over the
proceeds of the sale of the goods,
2. Damage or prejudice capable of documents, or instruments covered by a
pecuniary estimation is caused to trust receipt, to the extent of the amount
the offended party or third person. owing to the entruster, or as appearing in
the trust receipt; or the failure to return said
goods, documents, or instruments if they
Elements of estafa with unfaithfulness of were not sold or disposed of in accordance
abuseofconfidenceunderArticle315(1) with the terms of the trust receipt constitute
estafa.
Underparagraph(a)
1. Offender has an onerous obligation

Underparagraph(c)
to deliver something of value;
1. The paper with the signature of the
2. He alters its substance, quantity, or offended party is in blank;
quality;
2. Offended party delivered it to the
3. Damage or prejudice is caused to
offender;
another.
3. Above the signature of the offended
Underparagraph(b)
party, a document is written by the
offender without authority to do so;
1. Money, goods, or other personal
property is received by the offender
4. The document so written creates a
is trust, or on commission, or for
liability of, or causes damage to, the
administration, or under any other
offended party or any third person.
obligation involving the duty to make
delivery of, or to return, the same;
Elements of estafa by means of false
2. There is misappropriation or
pretenses or fraudulent acts under Article
conversion of such money or
315(2)
Actspunishedunderparagraph(a) bracelet and draws a check without

insufficient funds. The jeweler sells
1. Using fictitious name; her the bracelet solely because of
the consideration in the check.)
2. Falsely pretending to possess
power, influence, qualifications, (3) It does not cover checks where the
property, credit, agency, business or purpose of drawing the check is to
imaginary transactions; or guarantee a loan as this is not an
obligation contemplated in this
3. By means of other similar deceits. paragraph
The check must be genuine. If the check is

Underparagraph(b) falsified and is cashed with the bank or
exchanged for cash, the crime is estafa thru
Altering the quality, fineness, or weight of falsification of a commercial document.
anything pertaining to his art or business.
The general rule is that the accused must
be able to obtain something from the
Underparagraph(c)
offended party by means of the check he
issued and delivered. Exception: when the
Pretending to have bribed any government
check is issued not in payment of an
employee, without prejudice to the action for
obligation.
calumny which the offended party may
deem proper to bring against the offender.
It must not be promissory notes, or
guaranties.
Underparagraph(d)
Good faith is a defense.
1. Offender postdated a check, or
If the checks were issued by the defendant
issued a check in payment of an
and he received money for them, then
obligation;
stopped payment and did not return the
money, and he had an intention to stop
2. Such postdating or issuing a check
payment when he issued the check, there is
was done when the offender had no
estafa.
funds in the bank, or his funds
deposited therein were not sufficient
Deceit is presumed if the drawer fails to
to cover the amount of the check.
deposit the amount necessary to cover the
check within three days from receipt of
notice of dishonor or insufficiency of funds
Note that this only applies if –
in the bank.
(1) The obligation is not pre-existing;
Batas Pambansa Blg. 22
(2) The check is drawn to enter into an
obligation;
Howviolated
(Remember that it is the check that A. 1. A person makes or draws
is supposed to be the sole and issues any check;
consideration for the other party to
have entered into the obligation. For
example, Rose wants to purchase a
2. The check is made or drawn If the check is drawn for a pre-

and issued to apply on existing obligation, there is criminal
account or for value; liability only under Batas Pambansa
Blg. 22.
Thus, it can apply to pre-
existing obligations, too.
(2) Estafa under Article 315 (2) (d) is a
crime against property while Batas
3. The person who makes or
Pambansa Blg. 22 is a crime against
draws and issued the check
public interest. The gravamen for
knows at the time of issue
the former is the deceit employed,
that he does not have
while in the latter, it is the issuance
sufficient funds in or credit
of the check. Hence, there is no
with the drawee bank for the
double jeopardy.
payment of such check in full
upon its presentment;
(3) In the estafa under Article 315 (2)
(d), deceit and damage are material,
3. The check is subsequently
while in Batas Pambansa Blg. 22,
dishonored by the drawee bank
they are immaterial.
for insufficiency of funds or
credit, or would have been
(4) In estafa under Article 315 (2) (d),
dishonored for the same reason
knowledge by the drawer of
had not the drawer, without any
insufficient funds is not required,
valid reason, ordered the bank to
while in Batas Pambansa Blg. 22,
stop payment.
knowledge by the drawer of
insufficient funds is reqired.
B. 1. A person has sufficient funds
in or credit with the drawee
When is there prima facie evidence of
bank when he makes or
knowledge of insufficient funds?
draws and issues a check;
There is a prima facie evidence of
2. He fails to keep sufficient
knowledge of insufficient funds when the
funds or to maintain a credit
check was presented within 90 days from
to cover the full amount of
the date appearing on the check and was
the check if presented within
dishonored.
90 days from the date
appearing;
Exceptions
3. The check is dishonored by
the drawee bank. 1. When the check was presented after
90 days from date;
Distinction between estafa under Article 2. When the maker or drawer --

315 (2) (d) of the Revised Penal Code and
violation of Batas Pambansa Blg. 22: a. Pays the holder of the check
the amount due within five
(1) Under both Article 315 (2) (d) and banking days after receiving
Batas Pambansa Blg. 22, there is notice that such check has
criminal liability if the check is drawn not been paid by the drawee;
for non-pre-existing obligation.
b. Makes arrangements for
payment in full by the drawee
of such check within five

banking days after notice of Estafa through any of the following
non-payment fraudulentmeansunderArticle315(3)
The drawee must cause to be written or Underparagraph(a)
stamped in plain language the reason for
the dishonor. 1. Offender induced the offended party
to sign a document;
If the drawee bank received an order of
stop-payment from the drawer with no 2. Deceit was employed to make him
reason, it must be stated that the funds are sign the document;
insufficient to be prosecuted here.
3. Offended party personally signed the
The unpaid or dishonored check with the document;
stamped information re: refusal to pay is
prima facie evidence of (1) the making or 4. Prejudice was caused.
issuance of the check; (2) the due
presentment to the drawee for payment &
the dishonor thereof; and (3) the fact that Underparagraph(b)
the check was properly dishonored for the
reason stamped on the check. Resorting to some fraudulent practice to
insure success in a gambling game;
Actspunishedunderparagraph(e)
Underparagraph(c)
1. a. Obtaining food, refreshment,
or accommodation at a hotel, 1. Offender removed, concealed or
inn, restaurant, boarding destroyed;
house, lodging house, or
apartment house; 2. Any court record, office files,
documents or any other papers;
b. Without paying therefor;
3. With intent to defraud another.
c. With intent to defraud the
proprietor or manager.
In Kim v. People, 193 SCRA 344, it was
2. a. Obtaining credit at held that if an employee receives cash
any of the establishments; advance from his employer to defray his
travel expenses, his failure to return
b. Using false pretense; unspent amount is not estafa through
misappropriation or conversion because
3. a. Abandoning or ownership of the money was transferred to
surreptitiously removing any employee and no fiduciary relation was
part of his baggage in the created in respect to such advance. The
establishment; money is a loan. The employee has no
legal obligation to return the same money,
b. After obtaining credit, food, that is, the same bills and coins received.
refreshment,
accommodation; In Saddul Jr. v. CA, 192 SCRA 277, it was
held that the act of using or disposing of
c. Without paying. another’s property as if it were one’s own,
or of devoting it to a purpose or use drawer is liable under Batas Pambansa Blg.

different from that agreed upon, is a 22.
misappropriation and conversion to the
prejudice of the owner. Conversion is For criminal liability to attach under Batas
unauthorized assumption an exercise of the Pambansa Blg. 22, it is enough that the
right of ownership over goods and chattels check was issued to "apply on account or
belonging to another, resulting in the for value" and upon its presentment it was
alteration of their condition or exclusion of dishonored by the drawee bank for
the owner’s rights. insufficiency of funds, provided that the
drawer had been notified of the dishonor
In Allied Bank Corporation v. Secretary and inspite of such notice fails to pay the
Ordonez, 192 SCRA 246, it was held that holder of the check the full amount due
under Section 13 of Presidential Decree No. thereon within five days from notice.
115, the failure of an entrustee to turn over
the proceeds of sale of the goods covered
Under Batas Pambansa Blg. 22, a drawer
by the Trust Receipt, or to return said goods
must be given notice of dishonor and given
if they are not sold, is punishable as estafa
Article 315 (1) (b). five banking days from notice within which
to deposit or pay the amount stated in the
check to negate the presumtion that drawer
On issuance of a bouncing check knew of the insufficiency. After this period,
it is conclusive that drawer knew of the
The issuance of check with insufficient insufficiency, thus there is no more defense
to the prosecution under Batas Pambansa
funds may be held liable for estafa and
Batas Pambansa Blg. 22. Batas Pambansa Blg. 22.
Blg. 22 expressly provides that prosecution
under said law is without prejudice to any The mere issuance of any kind of check
regardless of the intent of the parties,
liability for violation of any provision in the
Revised Penal Code. Double Jeopardy whether the check is intended to serve
merely as a guarantee or as a deposit,
may not be invoked because a violation of
Batas Pambansa Blg. 22 is a malum makes the drawer liable under Batas
Pambansa Blg. 22 if the check bounces. As
prohibitum and is being punished as a
crime against the public interest for a matter of public policy, the issuance of a
worthless check is a public nuisance and
undermining the banking system of the
country, while under the RevisedPenal must be abated.
Code, the crime is malum in se which
In De Villa v. CA, decided April 18, 1991, it
requires criminal intent and damage to the
was held that under Batas Pambansa Blg.
payee and is a crime against property.
22, there is no distinction as to the kind of
check issued. As long as it is delivered
In estafa, the check must have been issued
within Philippine territory, the Philippine
as a reciprocal consideration for parting of
courts have jurisdiction. Even if the check
goods (kaliwaan). There must be is only presented to and dishonored in a
concomitance. The deceit must be prior to Philippine bank, Batas Pambansa Blg. 22
or simultaneous with damage done, that is, applies. This is true in the case of dollar or
seller relied on check to part with goods. If foreign currency checks. Where the law
it is issued after parting with goods as in makes no distinction, none should be made.
credit accommodation only, there is no
estafa. If the check is issued for a pre- In People v. Nitafan, it was held that as
existing obligation, there is no estafa as long as instrument is a check under the
damage had already been done. The negotiable instrument law, it is covered by
Batas Pambansa Blg. 22. A memorandum
check is not a promissory note, it is a check

which have the word “memo,” “mem”, Elements
“memorandum” written across the face of
the check which signifies that if the holder 1. There is an immovable, such as a
upon maturity of the check presents the parcel of land or a building;
same to the drawer, it will be paid
absolutely. But there is no prohibition 2. Offender who is not the owner
against drawer from depositing represents himself as the owner
memorandum check in a bank. Whatever thereof;
be the agreement of the parties in respect
of the issuance of a check is 3. Offender executes an act of
inconsequential to a violation to Batas ownership such as selling, leasing,
Pambansa Blg. 22 where the check encumbering or mortgaging the real
bounces. property;
But overdraft or credit arrangement may be 4. The act is made to the prejudice to
allowed by banks as to their preferred the owner or a third person.
clients and Batas Pambansa Blg. 22 does
not apply. If check bounces, it is because
bank has been remiss in honoring Under paragraph 2 – by disposing of real
agreement. property as free from encumbrance,
although such encumbrance be not
The check must be presented for payment recorded
within a 90-day period. If presented for
payment beyond the 90 day period and the Elements
drawer’s funds are insufficient to cover it,
there is no Batas Pambansa Blg. 22 1. The thing disposed is a real
violation. property:
Where check was issued prior to August 8, 2. Offender knew that the real property
1984, when Circular No. 12 of the was encumbered, whether the
Department of the Justice took effect, and encumbrance is recorded or not;
the drawer relied on the then prevailing
Circular No. 4 of the Ministry of Justice to 3. There must be express
the effect that checks issued as part of an representation by offender that the
arrangement/agreement of the parties to real property is free from
guarantee or secure fulfillment of an encumbrance;
obligation are not covered by Batas
Pambansa Blg. 22, no criminal liability 4. The act of disposing of the real
should be incurred by the drawer. Circular property is made to the damage of
should not be given retroactive effect. another.
(Lazaro v. CA, November 11, 1993, citing
People v. Alberto, October 28, 1993)
Under paragraph 3 – by wrongfully taking by
the owner of his personal property from its
Article 316. Other Forms of Swindling lawful possessor
Under paragraph 1 – By conveying, selling, Elements

encumbering, or mortgaging any real
property, pretending to be the owner of the 1. Offender is the owner of personal
same property;
2. Said personal property is in the 3. He sells, mortgages, or in any

lawful possession of another; manner encumbers said real
property;
3. Offender wrongfully takes it from its
lawful possessor;
4. Such sale, mortgage or
encumbrance is without express
4. Prejudice is thereby caused to the
authority from the court, or made
possessor or third person.
before the cancellation of his bond,
or before being relieved from the
obligation contracted by him.
Under paragraph 4 – by executing any
fictitious contract to the prejudice of another
Article 317. Swindling A Minor
Under paragraph 5 – by accepting any
Elements
compensation for services not rendered or
for labor not performed
1. Offender takes advantage of the
inexperience or emotions or feelings
of a minor;
Under paragraph 6 – by selling, mortgaging
or encumbering real property or properties
2. He induces such minor to assume
with which the offender guaranteed the
an obligation or to give release or to
fulfillment of his obligation as surety
execute a transfer of any property
right;
Elements
3. The consideration is some loan of
1. Offender is a surety in a bond given
money, credit or other personal
in a criminal or civil action;
property;
2. He guaranteed the fulfillment of such
4. The transaction is to the detriment of
obligation with his real property or such minor.
properties;
Article 318. Other deceits
Actspunished
1. Defrauding or damaging another by

any other deceit not mentioned in
the preceding articles;
2. Interpreting dreams, by making

forecasts, by telling fortunes, or by
taking advantage or the credulity of
the public in any other similar
manner, for profit or gain.
Article 319. Removal, Sale or Pledge of

Mortgaged Property
Actspunished 2. Offender, who is the

mortgagor of such property,
1. Knowingly removing any personal sells or pledges the same or
property mortgaged under the any part thereof;
Chattel Mortgage law to any
province or city other than the one in 3. There is no consent of the
which it was located at the time of mortgagee written on the
execution of the mortgage, without back of the mortgage and
the written consent of the mortgagee noted on the record thereof
or his executors, administrators or in the office of the register of
assigns; deeds.
Elements:
Arson
1. Personal property is
mortgaged under the Chattel Kindsofarson
Mortgage Law;
1. Arson, under Section 1 of
2. Offender knows that such Presidential Decree No. 1613;
property is so mortgaged;
2. Destructive arson, under Article 320
3. Offender removes such of the Revised Penal Code, as
mortgaged personal property amended by Republic Act No. 7659;
to any province or city other
than the one in which it was 3. Other cases of arson, under Section
located at the time of the 3 of Presidential Decree No. 1613.
execution of the mortgage;
4. The removal is permanent; Article 327. Who Are Liable for Malicious
Mischief
5. There is no written consent of
the mortgagee or his Elements
executors, administrators or
assigns to such removal. 1. Offender deliberately caused
damage to the property of another;

2. Selling or pledging personal property
already pledged, or any part thereof, 2. Such act does not constitute arson
under the terms of the Chattel or other crimes involving destruction;
Mortgage Law, without the consent
of the mortgagee written on the back 3. The act of damaging another’s
of the mortgage and noted on the property was committed merely for
record thereof in the office of the the sake of damaging it;
register of deeds of the province
where such property is located.
There is destruction of the property of
Elements: another but there is no misappropriation.
Otherwise, it would be theft if he gathers the
1. Personal property is already effects of destruction.
pledged under the terms of
the Chattel Mortgage Law;
Article 328. Special Case of Malicious Personsexemptedfromcriminalliability

Mischief
1. Spouse, ascendants and
Actspunished descendants, or relatives by affinity
in the same line;
1. Causing damage to obstruct the
performance of public functions;
2. Widowed spouse with respect to the
property which belonged to the
2. Using any poisonous or corrosive
deceased spouse before the same
substance;
passed into the possession of
another
3. Spreading any infection or contagion
among cattle;
3. Brothers and sisters and brothers-in-
law and sisters-in-law, if living
4. Causing damage to the property of
together.
the National Museum or National
Library, or to any archive or registry,
waterworks, road, promenade, or
any other thing used is common by Only the relatives enumerated incur no
liability if the crime relates to theft (not
the pubic.
robbery), swindling, and malicious mischief.
Third parties who participate are not
Article 329. Other Mischiefs exempt. The relationship between the
spouses is not limited to legally married
All other mischiefs not included in the next couples; the provision applies to live-in
partners.
preceding article
Estafa should not be complexed with any
Article 330. Damage and Obstruction to other crime in order for exemption to
Means of Communication operate.
This is committed by damaging any railway,

telegraph or telephone lines. TITLE XI. CRIMES AGAINST CHASTITY
Crimesagainstchastity
Article 331. Destroying or Damaging
Statues, Public Monuments, or Paintings 1. Adultery (Art. 333);
2. Concubinage (Art. 334);

Article 332. Persons Exempt from
Criminal Liability 3. Acts of lasciviousness (Art. 336);
Crimesinvolvedintheexemption 4. Qualified seduction (Art. 337);
1. Theft; 5. Simple seduction (Art. 338);
2. Estafa; and 6. Acts of lasciviousness with the

consent of the offended party (Art.
3. Malicious mischief. 339);
7. Corruption of minors (Art. 340);

This is so because whether he knows the

8. White slave trade (Art. 34); woman to be married or not is a matter of
defense and its up to him to ventilate that in
9. Forcible abduction (Art. 342); formal investigations or a formal trial.
If after preliminary investigation, the public
10. Consented abduction (Art. 343). prosecutor is convinced that the man did
not know that the woman is married, then
he could simply file the case against the
The crimes of adultery, concubinage, woman.
seduction, abduction and acts of

lasciviousness are the so-called private The acquittal of the woman does not
crimes. They cannot be prosecuted except necessarily result in the acquittal of her co-
upon the complaint initiated by the offended accused.
party. The law regards the privacy of the
offended party here as more important than In order to constitute adultery, there must be
the disturbance to the order of society. For a joint physical act. Joint criminal intent is
the law gives the offended party the not necessary. Although the criminal intent
preference whether to sue or not to sue. may exist in the mind of one of the parties
But the moment the offended party has to the physical act, there may be no such
initiated the criminal complaint, the public intent in the mind of the other party. One
prosecutor will take over and continue with may be guilty of the criminal intent, the
prosecution of the offender. That is why other innocent, and yet the joint physical act
under Article 344, if the offended party necessary to constitute the adultery may be
pardons the offender, that pardon will only complete. So, if the man had no knowledge
be valid if it comes before the prosecution that the woman was married, he would be
starts. The moment the prosecution starts, innocent insofar as the crime of adultery is
the crime has already become public and it concerned but the woman would still be
is beyond the offended party to pardon the guilty; the former would have to be
offender. acquitted and the latter found guilty,
although they were tried together.
Article 333. Who Are Guilty of Adultery
A husband committing concubinage may be
Elements required to support his wife committing
adultery under the rule in pari delicto.
1. The woman is married;
There is no frustrated adultery because of
2. She has sexual intercourse with a the nature of the offense.
man not her husband;
For adultery to exist, there must be a
3. As regards the man with whom she
marriage although it be subsequently
has sexual intercourse, he must
annulled. There is no adultery, if the
know her to be married.
marriage is void from the beginning.
Adultery is an instantaneous crime which is

Adultery is a crime not only of the married
consummated and completed at the
woman but also of the man who had
moment of the carnal union. Each sexual
intercourse with a married woman knowing
intercourse constitutes a crime of adultery.
her to be married. Even if the man proves
Adultery is not a continuing crime unlike
later on that he does not know the woman
concubinage.
to be married, at the beginning, he must still
be included in the complaint or information.
Illustration:
3. As regards the woman, she knows

Madamme X is a married woman residing in that the man is married.
Pasay City. He met a man, Y, at Roxas
Boulevard. She agreed to go with to
Baguio City, supposedly to come back the With respect to concubinage the same
next day. When they were in Bulacan, they principle applies: only the offended spouse
stayed in a motel, having sexual intercourse can bring the prosecution. This is a crime
there. After that, they proceeded again and committed by the married man, the
stopped at Dagupan City, where they went husband. Similarly, it includes the woman
to a motel and had sexual intercourse. who had a relationship with the married
man.
There are two counts of adultery committed
in this instance: one adultery in Bulacan, It has been asked why the penalty for
and another adultery in Dagupan City. adultery is higher than concubinage when
Even if it involves the same man, each both crimes are infidelities to the marital
intercourse is a separate crime of adultery. vows. The reason given for this is that
when the wife commits adultery, there is a
probability that she will bring a stranger into
Article 334. Concubinage the family. If the husband commits
concubinage, this probability does not arise
Actspunished because the mother of the child will always
carry the child with her. So even if the
1. Keeping a mistress in the conjugal husband brings with him the child, it is
dwelling; clearly known that the child is a stranger.
Not in the case of a married woman who
2. Having sexual intercourse, under may bring a child to the family under the
scandalous circumstances; guise of a legitimate child. This is the
reason why in the former crime the penalty
3. Cohabiting with her in any other is higher than the latter.
place.
Unlike adultery, concubinage is a continuing
crime.
Elements
1. The man is married; Article 335. Rape
2. He is either – This has been repealed by Republic Act No.

8353 or the Anti-Rape Law of 1997. See
a. Keeping a mistress in the Article 266-A.
conjugal dwelling;
b. Having sexual intercourse Article 336. Acts of Lasciviousness
under scandalous
circumstances with a woman
Elements
who is not his wife; or
1. Offender commits any act of
c. Cohabiting with a woman
lasciviousness or lewdness;
who is not his wife in any
other place;
2. It is done under any of the following
circumstances:
a. By using force or
offender took advantage of his
intimidation;
position of ascendancy over the
offender woman either because he
b. When the offended party is
is a person in authority, a domestic,
deprived or reason of
a househelp, a priest, a teacher or a
otherwise unconscious; or
guardian, or there was a deceitful
promise of marriage which never
c. When the offended party is
would really be fulfilled.
another person of either sex.
See Article 339.
Note that there are two kinds of acts of
Always remember that there can be no
lasciviousness under the Revised Penal
frustration of acts of lasciviousness, rape or
Code: (1) under Article 336, and (2) under
adultery because no matter how far the
Article 339.
offender may have gone towards the
realization of his purpose, if his participation
1. Article 336. Acts of Lasciviousness
amounts to performing all the acts of
execution, the felony is necessarily
Under this article, the offended party
produced as a consequence thereof.
may be a man or a woman. The
crime committed, when the act
Intent to rape is not a necessary element of
performed with lewd design was
the crime of acts of lasciviousness.
perpetrated under circumstances
Otherwise, there would be no crime of
which would have brought about the
attempted rape.
crime of rape if sexual intercourse
was effected, is acts of
lasciviousness under this article.
Article 337. Qualified Seduction
This means that the offended party
is either –
Actspunished
(1) under 12 years of age; or
1. Seduction of a virgin over 12 years
and under 18 years of age by certain
(2) being over 12 years of age,
persons, such as a person in
the lascivious acts were
authority, priest, teacher; and
committed on him or her
through violence or
Elements
intimidation, or while the
offender party was deprived
1. Offended party is a virgin,
of reason, or otherwise
which is presumed if she is
unconscious.
unmarried and of good
reputation;
2. Article 339. Acts of Lasciviousness
with the Consent of the Offended
2. She is over 12 and under 18
Party: years of age;
Under this article, the victim is 3. Offender has sexual

limited only to a woman. The intercourse with her;
circumstances under which the

lascivious acts were committed must 4. There is abuse of authority,
be that of qualified seduction or confidence or relationship on
simple seduction, that is, the the part of the offender.
2. Seduction of a sister by her brother, For purposes of qualified seduction, virginity

or descendant by her ascendant, does not mean physical virginity. It means
regardless of her age or reputation. that the offended party has not had any
experience before.
Personliable Although in qualified seduction, the age of
the offended woman is considered, if the
1. Those who abused their authority – offended party is a descendant or a sister of
the offender – no matter how old she is or
a. Person in public authority; whether she is a prostitute – the crime of
qualified seduction is committed.
b. Guardian;
Illustration:
c. Teacher;
If a person goes to a sauna parlor and finds
d. Person who, in any capacity, there a descendant and despite that, had
is entrusted with the sexual intercourse with her, regardless of
education or custody of the her reputation or age, the crime of qualified
woman seduced; seduction is committed.
2. Those who abused confidence In the case of a teacher, it is not necessary
reposed in them – that the offended woman be his student. It
is enough that she is enrolled in the same
a. Priest; school.
b. House servant; Deceit is not necessary in qualified
seduction. Qualified seduction is committed
c. Domestic; even though no deceit intervened or even
when such carnal knowledge was voluntary
3. Those who abused their relationship on the part of the virgin. This is because in
– such a case, the law takes for granted the
existence of the deceit as an integral
a. Brother who seduced his element of the crime and punishes it with
sister; greater severity than it does the simple
seduction, taking into account the abuse of
b. Ascendant who seduced his
confidence on the part of the agent. Abuse
descendant.
of confidence here implies fraud.
This crime also involves sexual intercourse.

Article 338. Simple Seduction
The offended woman must be over 12 but
below 18 years.
Elements
The distinction between qualified seduction
1. Offender party is over 12 and under
and simple seduction lies in the fact, among
18 years of age;
others, that the woman is a virgin in
qualified seduction, while in simple
2. She is of good reputation, single or
seduction, it is not necessary that the
widow;
woman be a virgin. It is enough that she is
of good repute.
3. Offender has sexual intercourse with

her;
This punishes any person who shall
promote or facilitate the prostitution or
4. It is committed by means of deceit.
corruption of persons under age to satisfy
the lust of another.
This crime is committed if the offended
It is not required that the offender be the
woman is single or a widow of good guardian or custodian of the minor.
reputation, over 12 and under 18 years of
age, the offender has carnal knowledge of It is not necessary that the minor be
her, and the offender resorted to deceit to prostituted or corrupted as the law merely
be able to consummate the sexual punishes the act of promoting or facilitating
intercourse with her. the prostitution or corruption of said minor
and that he acted in order to satisfy the lust
The offended woman must be under 18 but of another.
not less than 12 years old; otherwise, the
crime is statutory rape.
Article 341. White Slave Trade
Unlike in qualified seduction, virginity is not
essential in this crime. What is required is Actspunished
that the woman be unmarried and of good
reputation. Simple seduction is not 1. Engaging in the business of
synonymous with loss of virginity. If the prostitution;
woman is married, the crime will be
adultery. 2. Profiting by prostitution;
The failure to comply with the promise of 3. Enlisting the services of women for
marriage constitutes the deceit mentioned the purpose of prostitution.
in the law.
Article 342. Forcible Abduction

Article 339. Acts of Lasciviousness with
the Consent of the Offender Party Elements
Elements 1. The person abducted is any woman,
regardless or her age, civil status, or
1. Offender commits acts of reputation;
lasciviousness or lewdness;
2. The abduction is against her will;
2. The acts are committed upon a
woman who is a virgin or single or 3. The abduction is with lewd designs.
widow of good reputation, under 18
years of age but over 12 years, or a
sister or descendant, regardless of A woman is carried against her will or
her reputation or age; brought from one place to another against
her will with lewd design.
3. Offender accomplishes the acts by
abuse of authority, confidence, If the element of lewd design is present, the
relationship, or deceit. carrying of the woman would qualify as
abduction; otherwise, it would amount to
Article 340. Corruption of Minors kidnapping. If the woman was only brought
to a certain place in order to break her will In order to demonstrate the presence of the
and make her agree to marry the offender, lewd design, illicit criminal relations with the
the crime is only grave coercion because person abducted need not be shown. The
the criminal intent of the offender is to force intent to seduce a girl is sufficient.
his will upon the woman and not really to
restrain the woman of her liberty. If there is a separation in fact, the taking by
the husband of his wife against her will
If the offended woman is under 12 years constitutes grave coercion.
old, even if she consented to the abduction,
the crime is forcible abduction and not Distinction between forcible abduction and
consented abduction. illegal detention:
Where the offended woman is below the When a woman is kidnapped with lewd or
age of consent, even though she had gone unchaste designs, the crime committed is
with the offender through some deceitful forcible abduction.
promises revealed upon her to go with him
and they live together as husband and wife When the kidnapping is without lewd
without the benefit of marriage, the ruling is designs, the crime committed is illegal
that forcible abduction is committed by the detention.
mere carrying of the woman as long as that
intent is already shown. In other words, But where the offended party was forcibly
where the man cannot possibly give the taken to the house of the defendant to
woman the benefit of an honorable life, all coerce her to marry him, it was held that
that man promised are just machinations of only grave coercion was committed and not
a lewd design and, therefore, the carrying illegal detention.
of the woman is characterized with lewd
design and would bring about the crime of
abduction and not kidnapping. This is also Article 343. Consented Abduction
true if the woman is deprived of reason and
if the woman is mentally retardate. Forcible Elements
abduction is committed and not consented
abduction. 1. Offended party is a virgin;
Lewd designs may be demonstrated by the 2. She is over 12 and under 18 years
lascivious acts performed by the offender of age;
on her. Since this crime does not involve
sexual intercourse, if the victim is subjected 3. Offender takes her away with her
to this, then a crime of rape is further consent, after solicitation or cajolery;
committed and a complex crime of forcible
abduction with rape is committed. 4. The taking away is with lewd
designs.
The taking away of the woman may be
accomplished by means of deceit at the
beginning and then by means of violence Where several persons participated in the
and intimidation later. forcible abduction and these persons also
raped the offended woman, the original
The virginity of the complaining witness is ruling in the case of People v. Jose is that
not a determining factor in forcible there would be one count of forcible
abduction. abduction with rape and then each of them
will answer for his own rape and the rape of
the others minus the first rape which was
complexed with the forcible abduction. This whether he or she wanted the crime
ruling is no longer the prevailing rule. The committed on him or her to be made public
view adopted in cases of similar nature is to is his or hers alone, because the indignity or
the effect that where more than one person dishonor brought about by these crimes
has effected the forcible abduction with affects more the offended party than social
rape, all the rapes are just the order. The offended party may prefer to
consummation of the lewd design which suffer the outrage in silence rather than to
characterizes the forcible abduction and, vindicate his honor in public.
therefore, there should only be one forcible
abduction with rape. In the crimes of rape, abduction and
seduction, if the offended woman had given
In the crimes involving rape, abduction, birth to the child, among the liabilities of the
seduction, and acts of lasciviousness, the offender is to support the child. This
marriage by the offender with the offended obligation to support the child may be true
woman generally extinguishes criminal even if there are several offenders. As to
liability, not only of the principal but also of whether all of them will acknowledge the
the accomplice and accessory. However, child, that is a different question because
the mere fact of marriage is not enough the obligation to support here is not founded
because it is already decided that if the on civil law but is the result of a criminal act
offender marries the offended woman or a form of punishment.
without any intention to perform the duties of
a husband as shown by the fact that after It has been held that where the woman was
the marriage, he already left her, the the victim of the said crime could not
marriage would appear as having been possibly conceive anymore, the trial court
contracted only to avoid the punishment. should not provide in its sentence that the
Even with that marriage, the offended accused, in case a child is born, should
woman could still prosecute the offender support the child. This should only be
and that marriage will not have the effect of proper when there is a probability that the
extinguishing the criminal liability. offended woman could give birth to an
offspring.
Pardon by the offended woman of the
offender is not a manner of extinguishing
criminal liability but only a bar to the TITLE XII. CRIMES AGAINST THE CIVIL
prosecution of the offender. Therefore, that STATUS OF PERSONS
pardon must come before the prosecution is
commenced. While the prosecution is Crimesagainstthecivilstatusofpersons
already commenced or initiated, pardon by
the offended woman will no longer be 1. Simulation of births, substitution of
effective because pardon may preclude one child for another and
prosecution but not prevent the same. concealment or abandonment of a
legitimate child (art. 347);
All these private crimes – except rape –
cannot be prosecuted de officio. If any 2. Usurpation of civil status (Art. 348);
slander or written defamation is made out of
any of these crimes, the complaint of the 3. Bigamy (Art. 349);
offended party is till necessary before such
case for libel or oral defamation may 4. Marriage contracted against
proceed. It will not prosper because the provisions of law (Art. 350);
court cannot acquire jurisdiction over these
crimes unless there is a complaint from the 5. Premature marriages (Art. 351);
offended party. The paramount decision of
6. Performance of illegal marriage

preserve the inheritance of her child by a
ceremony (Art. 352).
former marriage, what then is the crime
committed?
Article 347. Simulation of Births,
The crime would fall under the
Substitution of One Child for Another,
second paragraph of Article 347. The
and Concealment of Abandonment of A
purpose of the woman is to cause the child
Legitimate Child
to lose its civil status so that it may not be
able to share in the inheritance.
Actspunished
3. Suppose a child, one day
1. Simulation of births;
after his birth, was taken to and left in the
midst of a lonely forest, and he was found
2. Substitution of one child for another;
by a hunter who took him home. What
crime was committed by the person who left
3. Concealing or abandoning any
it in the forest?
legitimate child with intent to cause
such child to lose its civil status.
It is attempted infanticide, as the act
of the offender is an attempt against the life
of the child. See US v. Capillo, et al., 30
Illustration:
Phil. 349.
People who have no child and who buy and
adopt the child without going through legal
Article 349. Usurpation of Civil Status
adoption.
This crime is committed when a person
If the child is being kidnapped and they
represents himself to be another and
knew that the kidnappers are not the real
assumes the filiation or the parental or
parents of their child, then simulation of
conjugal rights of such another person.
birth is committed. If the parents are parties
to the simulation by making it appear in the
birth certificate that the parents who bought
Thus, where a person impersonates
the child are the real parents, the crime is
another and assumes the latter's right as
not falsification on the part of the parents
the son of wealthy parents, the former
and the real parents but simulation of birth.
commits a violation of this article.
The term "civil status" includes one's public

Questions & Answers station, or the rights, duties, capacities and
incapacities which determine a person to a
given class. It seems that the term "civil
1. A woman who has given birth
status" includes one's profession.
to a child abandons the child in a certain
place to free herself of the obligation and
duty of rearing and caring for the child. What
Article 349. Bigamy
crime is committed by the woman?
Elements
The crime committed is abandoning
a minor under Article 276.
1. Offender has been legally married;
2. Suppose that the purpose of
2. The marriage has not been legally
the woman is abandoning the child is to
dissolved or, in case his or her
spouse is absent, the absent spouse Distinction between bigamy and illegal
could not yet be presumed dead marriage:
according to the Civil Code;
Bigamy is a form of illegal marriage. The
3. He contracts a second or offender must have a valid and subsisting
subsequent marriage; marriage. Despite the fact that the
marriage is still subsisting, he contracts a
4. The second or subsequent marriage subsequent marriage.
has all the essential requisites for
validity. Illegal marriage includes also such other
marriages which are performed without
complying with the requirements of law, or
The crime of bigamy does not fall within the such premature marriages, or such
category of private crimes that can be marriage which was solemnized by one
prosecuted only at the instance of the who is not authorized to solemnize the
offended party. The offense is committed same.
not only against the first and second wife
but also against the state. For bigamy to be committed, the second
marriage must have all the attributes of a
Good faith is a defense in bigamy. valid marriage.
Failure to exercise due diligence to
ascertain the whereabouts of the first wife is Article 350. Illegal Marriage
bigamy through reckless imprudence.
Elements
The second marriage must have all the
essential requisites for validity were it not 1. Offender contracted marriage;
for the existence of the first marriage.
2. He knew at the time that –
A judicial declaration of the nullity of a
marriage, that is, that the marriage was void a. The requirements of the law
ab initio, is now required. were not complied with; or
One convicted of bigamy may also be b. The marriage was in
prosecuted for concubinage as both are disregard of a legal
distinct offenses. The first is an offense impediment.
against civil status, which may be
prosecuted at the instance of the state; the
second is an offense against chastity, and Marriagescontracted againsttheprovisions of
may be prosecuted only at the instance of laws
the offended party. The test is not whether
the defendant has already been tried for the 1. The marriage does not constitute
same act, but whether he has been put in bigamy.
jeopardy for the same offense.
2. The marriage is contracted knowing that
One who, although not yet married before, the requirements of the law have not
knowingly consents to be married to one been complied with or in disregard of
who is already married is guilty of bigamy legal impediments.
knowing that the latter’s marriage is still
valid and subsisting.
3. One where the consent of the other was

obtained by means of violence, 1. Libel by means of writings or similar
intimidation or fraud. means (Art. 355);
4. If the second marriage is void because 2. Threatening to publish and offer to
the accused knowingly contracted it prevent such publication for a
without complying with legal compensation (Art. 356);
requirements as the marriage license,
although he was previously married. 3. Prohibited publication of acts
referred to in the course of official
5. Marriage solemnized by a minister or proceedings (Art. 357);
priest who does not have the required
authority to solemnize marriages. 4. Slander (Art. 358);
5. Slander by deed (Art. 359);

Article 351. Premature Marriage
6. Incriminating innocent person (Art.
Personsliable 363);
1. A widow who is married within 301 7. Intriguing against honor (Art. 364).
days from the date of the death of
her husband, or before having
delivered if she is pregnant at the Article 353. Definition of Libel
time of his death;
A libel is a public and malicious imputation
2. A woman who, her marriage having of a crime, or of a vice or defect, real or
been annulled or dissolved, married imaginary, or any act, omission, condition,
before her delivery or before the status, or circumstances tending to cause
expiration of the period of 301 days the dishonor, discredit, or contempt of a
after the date of the legal separation. natural or juridical person, or to blacken the
memory of one who is dead.
The Supreme Court has already taken into Elements:
account the reason why such marriage
within 301 days is made criminal, that is, 1. There must be an imputation of a
because of the probability that there might crime, or of a vice or defect, real or
be a confusion regarding the paternity of imaginary, or any act, omission,
the child who would be born. If this reason condition, status, or circumstance;
does not exist because the former husband
is impotent, or was shown to be sterile such 2. The imputation must be made
that the woman has had no child with him, publicly;
that belief of the woman that after all there
could be no confusion even if she would 3. It must be malicious;
marry within 301 days may be taken as
evidence of good faith and that would 4. The imputation must be directed at a
negate criminal intent. natural or juridical person, or one
who is dead;
TITLE XIII. CRIMES AGAINST HONOR 5. The imputation must tend to cause
the dishonor, discredit or contempt
Crimesagainsthonor of the person defamed.
character is qualified, proof of malice in fact

Distinction between malice in fact and will be admitted to take the place of malice
malice in law in law. When the defamatory statement or
utterance is qualifiedly privileged, the malice
Malice in fact is the malice which the law in law is negated. The utterance or
presumes from every statement whose statement would not be actionable because
tenor is defamatory. It does not need proof. malice in law does not exist. Therefore, for
The mere fact that the utterance or the complainant to prosecute the accused
statement is defamatory negates a legal for libel, oral defamation or slander, he has
presumption of malice. to prove that the accused was actuated with
malice (malice in fact) in making the
In the crime of libel, which includes oral statement.
defamation, there is no need for the
prosecution to present evidence of malice. When a libel is addressed to several
It is enough that the alleged defamatory or persons, unless they are identified in the
libelous statement be presented to the court same libel, even if there are several
verbatim. It is the court which will prove persons offended by the libelous utterance
whether it is defamatory or not. If the tenor or statement, there will only be one count of
of the utterance or statement is defamatory, libel.
the legal presumption of malice arises even
without proof. If the offended parties in the libel were
distinctly identified, even though the libel
Malice in fact becomes necessary only if was committed at one and the same time,
the malice in law has been rebutted. there will be as many libels as there are
Otherwise, there is no need to adduce persons dishonored.
evidence of malice in fact. So, while malice
in law does not require evidence, malice in Illustration:
fact requires evidence.
If a person uttered that “All the Marcoses
Malice in law can be negated by evidence are thieves," there will only be one libel
that, in fact, the alleged libelous or because these particular Marcoses
defamatory utterance was made with good regarded as thieves are not specifically
motives and justifiable ends or by the fact identified.
that the utterance was privileged in
character. If the offender said, “All the Marcoses – the
father, mother and daughter are thieves.”
In law, however, the privileged character of There will be three counts of libel because
a defamatory statement may be absolute or each person libeled is distinctly dishonored.
qualified.
If you do not know the particular persons
When the privileged character is said to be libeled, you cannot consider one libel as
absolute, the statement will not be giving rise to several counts of libel. In
actionable whether criminal or civil because order that one defamatory utterance or
that means the law does not allow imputation may be considered as having
prosecution on an action based thereon. dishonored more than one person, those
persons dishonored must be identified.
Illustration: Otherwise, there will only be one count of
libel.
As regards the statements made by
Congressmen while they are deliberating or Note that in libel, the person defamed need
discussing in Congress, when the privileged not be expressly identified. It is enough that
he could possibly be identified because If a crime is a private crime, it cannot be

“innuendos may also be a basis for prosecuted de officio. A complaint from the
prosecution for libel. As a matter of fact, offended party is necessary.
even a compliment which is undeserved,
has been held to be libelous.
Article 355. Libel by Means of Writings
The crime is libel is the defamation is in or Similar Means
writing or printed media.
Alibelmaybecommittedbymeansof–
The crime is slander or oral defamation if it
is not printed.
1. Writing;
Even if what was imputed is true, the crime
2. Printing;
of libel is committed unless one acted with
good motives or justifiable end. Poof of
3. Lithography;
truth of a defamatory imputation is not even
admissible in evidence, unless what was
4. Engraving;
imputed pertains to an act which constitutes
a crime and when the person to whom the
5. Radio;
imputation was made is a public officer and
the imputation pertains to the performance
6. Photograph;
of official duty. Other than these, the
imputation is not admissible.
7. Painting;
8. Theatrical exhibition;
Whenproofoftruthisadmissible
9. Cinematographic exhibition; or
1. When the act or omission imputed
constitutes a crime regardless of
10. Any similar means.
whether the offended party is a
private individual or a public officer;
Article 356. Threatening to Publish and
2. When the offended party is a
Offer to Prevent Such Publication for A
government employee, even if the
Compensation
act or omission imputed does not
constitute a crime, provided if its
Actspunished
related to the discharged of his
official duties.
1. Threatening another to publish a
libel concerning him, or his parents,
spouse, child, or other members of
Requisitesofdefenseindefamation
his family;
1. If it appears that the matter charged
2. Offering to prevent the publication of
as libelous is true;
such libel for compensation or
money consideration.
2. It was published with good motives;
3. It was for justifiable ends.

Blackmail – In its metaphorical sense,
blackmail may be defined as any unlawful
extortion of money by threats of accusation
or exposure. Two words are expressive of
the crime – hush money. (US v. Eguia, et 2. Such act is performed in the
al., 38 Phil. 857) Blackmail is possible in presence of other person or
(1) light threats under Article 283; and (2) persons;
threatening to publish, or offering to prevent
the publication of, a libel for compensation, 3. Such act casts dishonor, discredit or
under Article 356. contempt upon the offended party.
Article 357. Prohibited Publication of Slander by deed refers to performance of an

Acts Referred to in the Course of Official act, not use of words.
Proceedings
Twokindsofslanderbydeed
Elements
1. Simple slander by deed; and
1. Offender is a reporter, editor or
manager of a newspaper, daily or 2. Grave slander by deed, that is,
magazine; which is of a serious nature.
2. He publishes facts connected with

the private life of another; Whether a certain slanderous act
constitutes slander by deed of a serious
3. Such facts are offensive to the nature or not, depends on the social
honor, virtue and reputation of said standing of the offended party, the
person. circumstances under which the act was
committed, the occasion, etc.
The provisions of Article 357 constitute the
so-called "Gag Law." Article 363. Incriminating Innocent
Persons
Article 358. Slander Elements
Slander is oral defamation. There are tow
1. Offender performs an act;
kinds of oral defamation:
2. By such an act, he incriminates or
(1) Simple slander; and
imputes to an innocent person the
commission of a crime;
(2) Grave slander, when it is of a
serious and insulting nature.
3. Such act does not constitute perjury.
Article 359. Slander by Deed

This crime cannot be committed through
verbal incriminatory statements. It is
Elements
defined as an act and, therefore, to commit
this crime, more than a mere utterance is
1. Offender performs any act not
required.
included in any other crime against
honor;
If the incriminating machination is made
orally, the crime may be slander or oral
defamation.
If the incriminatory machination was made

in writing and under oath, the crime may be In intriguing against honor, the offender
perjury if there is a willful falsity of the resorts to an intrigue for the purpose of
statements made. blemishing the honor or reputation of
another person.
If the statement in writing is not under oath,
the crime may be falsification if the crime is In incriminating an innocent person, the
a material matter made in a written offender performs an act by which he
statement which is required by law to have directly incriminates or imputes to an
been rendered. innocent person the commission of a crime.
As far as this crime is concerned, this has
been interpreted to be possible only in the TITLE XVI. CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE
so- called planting of evidence.
Article 365. Imprudence and Negligence

Article 364. Intriguing against Honor
Quasi-offensespunished
This crime is committed by any person who
shall make any intrigue which has for its 1. Committing through reckless
principal purpose to blemish the honor or imprudence any act which, had it
reputation of another person. been intentional, would constitute a
grave or less grave felony or light
felony;
Intriguing against honor is referred to as
gossiping. The offender, without 2. Committing through simple
ascertaining the truth of a defamatory imprudence or negligence an act
utterance, repeats the same and pass it on which would otherwise constitute a
to another, to the damage of the offended grave or a less serious felony;
party. Who started the defamatory news is
unknown. 3. Causing damage to the property of
another through reckless
Distinction between intriguing against honor imprudence or simple imprudence or
and slander: negligence;
When the source of the defamatory 4. Causing through simple imprudence
utterance is unknown and the offender or negligence some wrong which, if
simply repeats or passes the same, the done maliciously, would have
crime is intriguing against honor. constituted a light felony.
If the offender made the utterance, where
the source of the defamatory nature of the Distinction between reckless imprudence
utterance is known, and offender makes a and negligence:
republication thereof, even though he
repeats the libelous statement as coming The two are distinguished only as to
from another, as long as the source is whether the danger that would be
identified, the crime committed by that impending is easily perceivable or not. If
offender is slander. the danger that may result from the criminal
negligence is clearly perceivable, the
Distinction between intriguing against honor imprudence is reckless. If it could hardly be
and incriminating an innocent person:
perceived, the criminal negligence would

only be simple.
There is no more issue on whether culpa is

a crime in itself or only a mode of incurring
criminal liability. It is practically settled that
criminal negligence is only a modality in
incurring criminal liability. This is so
because under Article 3, a felony may result
from dolo or culpa.
Since this is the mode of incurring criminal

liability, if there is only one carelessness,
even if there are several results, the
accused may only be prosecuted under one
count for the criminal negligence. So there
would only be one information to be filed,
even if the negligence may bring about
resulting injuries which are slight.
Do not separate the accusation from the

slight physical injuries from the other
material result of the negligence.
If the criminal negligence resulted, for

example, in homicide, serious physical
injuries and slight physical injuries, do not
join only the homicide and serious physical
injuries in one information for the slight
physical injuries. You are not complexing
slight when you join it in the same
information. It is just that you are not
splitting the criminal negligence because
the real basis of the criminal liability is the
negligence.
If you split the criminal negligence, that is

where double jeopardy would arise.

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REVISED ORTEGA LECTURE NOTES ON CRIMINAL

TITLE I. CRIMES AGAINST NATIONAL

Crimesagainstnationalsecurity (1) Espionage, under Article 114 – This

Crimesagainstthelawofnations properties because the offender

reprisals (Art. 118); participate in the gulf war. If they

The crimes under this title can be Article 114. Treason

within the Philippines or

a. levy war against the

1. Testimony of at least two witnesses 2. He has knowledge of conspiracy to

2. Confession of accused in open 3. He conceals or does not disclose and

4. Disloyal acts or words in times of

2. The acts provoke or give occasion for – 3. The correspondence is either –

a. a war involving or liable to a. prohibited by the

b. exposure of Filipino citizens b. carried on in ciphers or

the offender shall be considered as an b. seize the whole or part of the

Questions & Answers In piracy, the criminal intent is for

a. whenever they have seized a Anti hi-jacking is another kind of piracy

(2) usurping or seizing control of an

9. Interruption of religious worship (Art. 2. There is no violent insanity of the

Distinction between arbitrary detention and

Distinction between arbitrary detention and

Question & Answer A had been collecting tong from

Elements Within what period should a police

b. 18 hours for correctional

Question & Answer

committed by a public officer. If committed

b. the performance of such Questions & Answers

Article 127. Expulsion Yes. Expulsion.

Actspunished 2. If a Filipino citizen is sent out

Article 128. Violation of Domicile

a. expels any person from the 2. Searching papers or other effects

The essence of this crime is coercion but Commonelements

1. Offender is a public officer or the searching officer from securing a

There are three ways of committing the

1. It was raining heavily. A

2. A person surreptitiously Article 130. Searching Domicile without

he must have perjured himself or

(1) As to the participation of the public

can only be committed through force and

To reiterate, before Article 135 was In People v. Lobedioro, an NPA cadre

In People v. Rodriguez, 107 Phil. 569, it (1) As to nature

In sedition, it is sufficient that the

3. The inciting is done by means of

There is conspiracy to commit rebellion Distinction betweenincitingtorebellion and

There is proposal to commit rebellion when 2. In proposal, the person who

3. In proposal, the person who

1. By failing to resist a rebellion by all

2. By continuing to discharge the duties Elements

a. To prevent the promulgation or

c. To inflict any act of hate or Article 142. Inciting to Sedition

Considering that the objective of sedition is

officials to discredit the government is

2. He arrests or searches any

According to Reyes, to be consistent with

2. The meeting is attended by

3. The purpose of the meeting

The gravamen of the offense is mere association to engage in an unlawful

Example: Persons conspiring to rob 1. In illegal association, it is not