, 
~ 
Introduced by Senator Franklin M. Drilon 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The problem of fake or fabricated titles of lands has been around for so 
long and the seeming inability of the government to prevent it makes a mockery 
of the stability of the certificates of the title under the Torrens System of 
Registration in our country. 
To give teeth to the Torrens System, the practice of tinkering with torrens 
titles needs to be abated by imposing stiff penalties on anyone who falsifies such 
document. 
Such imposition of stiff penalties is the purpose of this bill and the 
immediate passage of which will greatly help the government in dealing with the 
problem. 
Hence, the passage of this measure is earnestly urged. 


,
‘
 
, 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
e/ 
” 
S. No. 
IO 
Introduced by Senator Franklin M. Drilon 
AN ACT 
TO IMPOSE STIFFER PENALTY FOR THE FALSIFICATION OF 
TORRENS CERTIFICATES OF TITLE, AMENDING FOR THE 
PURPOSE ARTICLES 171 AND 172 OF ACT NO. 3815, AS 
AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS, THE REVISED PENAL 
CODE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Section 171 of Act No. 3815, as amended, otherwise known 
as, the Revised Penal Code, is hereby amended to read as follows: 
“Art. 171. 
Falsification by public, employee or notaty or 
ecclesiastic minister. - The penalty of prison mayor and a fine not 
to exceed 5,000 pesos shall be imposed upon any public officer, 
employee, or notary who, taking advantage of his official position, 
shall falsify a document by committing any of the following acts: 
x x x  
The same penalty shall be imposed upon any ecclesiastical 
minister who shall commit any of the offenses enumerated in the 
preceding paragraphs of this article, with respect to any record or 
document of such character that. its falsification may affect the civil 
status of persons. 
THE PENALTY OF RECLUSION TEMPORAL AND A FINE OF 
P50,OOO SHALL BE IMPOSED IF THE DOCUMENT FALSIFIED IS A 
TORRENS CERTIFICATE OF TITLE. 
SECTION 2. Article 172 of Act No. 3815, as amended, otherwise known 
as, the Revised Penal Code, is hereby amended to read as follows: 
“Art. 172. 
Falsiifation by private individual and use of 
falsified documents. - The penalty of prision correccional in its 
medium and maximum periods and a fine of not more that 5,000 
pesos shall be imposed upon: 


c 
(I) Any private individual who shall commit any 
of the falsifications enumerated in the next preceding 
article in any public or official document or letter of 
exchange or any other kind of commercial document; 
PROVIDED, THAT, THE PENALTY OF PRlSION MA YOR 
AND A FINE OF P25,OOO SHALL BE IMPOSED IF THE 
DOCUMENT FALSIFIED I S  A TORRENS CERTIFICATE 
OFTITLE; and 
(2) Any person who, to the damage of a third 
party, or with the intent to cause such damage, shall 
in any private document commit any of the acts of 
falsification enumerated in the next preceding article. 
Any person who shall knowingly introduce in 
evidence in any judicial proceeding or to the damage 
of another or who, with the intent to cause such 
damage, shall use any of the false documents 
embraced in the next preceding article, or in any of 
the foregoing subdivision of this article, shall be 
punished by the penalty next lower in degree. 
SECTION 3. If any provision of this Act shall be declared invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remaining part or provisions not otherwise affected shall 
remain in force. 
SECTION 4. Any law, decree, ordinance, administrative circulars not 
consistent with any provision of this Act is hereby amended, repealed or modified 
accord i ng l y . 
. 
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation. 
Approved.