FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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Second Regular Session 
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SENATE 
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REPORT NO. 
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Submitted jointly by the Committees on Justice and Human Rights; and Civil Service and 
Government Reorganization on 
3 1 2008 . 
Re: Senate Bill No. 24 98 . 
Recommending its approval in substitution of Senate Bill No. 729. 
Sponsor: Senator Escudero. 
MR. PRESIDENT: 
The Committees on Justice and Human Rights; and Civil Service and Government 
Reorganization to which was referred Senate Bill No. 729, introduced by Senator Revilla, Jr., 
entitled: 
“AN ACT 
DECLARING THE FILING OF FALSE COMPLAINTS AGAINST PUBLIC 
OFFICERS AS A CRIME AGAINST HONOR, PRESCRIBING PENALTIES 
THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES” 
have considered the same and have the honor to report it back to the Senate with the 
recommendation that the attached bill, Senate Bill No. ‘d, 4 9 , prepared by the Committee, 
entitled: 
“AN ACT 
AMENDING ARTICLE 359 OF ACT NO. 3815, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
REVISED PENAL CODE, AS AMENDED” 
be approved in substitution of Senate Bill No. 729, with Senators Revilla, Jr., Escudero, 
Trillanes IV and Lacson as authors thereof. 
Respectfully submitted: 
Chairmen: 
ANTONIO “SONNY” F. TRILLANES IV 
Committee on Civil Service and Government 
Reorganization 
FRANCIS “CHIZ” G. ESCUDERO 
Committee on Justice and Human Rights 
Government Reorganization 
Member, Committee on Civil Service and 
on Civil Service 
an Go ernme; Reorganization 
Y.Y 


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Committee Report on SBN 729-Crime Against Honor. 
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Vice-Chairman: 
BENIGN0 %Gq 
SI 
ON ‘ NOYNOY” S. AQUINO 111 
Commiffek on Ju tice and Human Rights 
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Members: 
OMPANERO” S. CAYETANO 
and Human Rights 
rvice and Government Reorganization 
G REVILLA JR. 
C
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Civil Service and Government Reorganization 
Committee on Civil Service and Government Reorganization 
Committee on Justice and Human Rights 
A 
EDGARD 
L..h J& 
J.AN 
A 
Commiffee on Civil Service and Government 
Reorganizafion 
LOREN B. LEGARDA 
Committee on Civil Service and Government 
Reorganization 
Ex-Officio Members: 
Minority Leader 
Hon. MANNY VILLAR 
Senate President 
Senate of the Philippines 
Pasay City 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
1 
Prepared and submitted jointly by the Committees on Justice and Human 
Rights and Civil Service and Government Reorganization with Senators 
Revilla Jr., Escudero, Trillanes IV, and Eacson as authors thereof 
AN ACT AMENDING ARTICLE 359 OF ACT NO. 3815, OTHERWISE 
KNOWN AS THE REVISED PENAL CODE, AS AMENDED 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives oftlie Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Article 359 of Act No. 3815, as amended, is further amended 
to read as follows: 
"Art. 359. Slander by deed. - The penalty of [arresto mayor in its 
maximum] PRISION MAYOR IN ITS MINIMUM period to 
[prision correccional in its minimum] ITS MAXIMUM period or a 
fine [ranging from 200 to 1,000 pesos] OF 100,000 PESOS, OR 
BOTH, shall be imposed upon any person who shall perform any 
act not included and punished in this title, which shall cast 
dishonor, discredit, or contempt upon another person, SUCH AS, 
BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE INTENTIONAL FILING OF A 
FALSE COMPLAINT IN COURT OR IN ANY OTHER 
AGENCIES 
OF 
GOVERNMENT 
EXERCISING 
QUASI- 
JUDICIAL OR ADMINISTRATIVE POWERS. If said act is not of 
a serious nature, the penalty shall be [arresto menor] PRISION 
MAYOR IN ITS MINIMUM TO ITS MEDIUM PERIOD or a fine 
[not exceeding 200 pesos] OF 50,000 PESOS. 
IF DURING THE COURSE OF THE INVESTIGATION 
OR TRIAL IT IS PROVEN THAT THE ABOVE FALSE 
COMPLAINT HAS BEEN OR IS BEING USED BY THE 
COMPLAINANT AS A LEVERAGE AGAINST ANY PERSON 
IN ORDER TO GAIN ADVANTAGE OR TO RECEIVE A 
FAVORABLE DECISION, ACTION OR RESOLUTION ON ANY 
MATTER, THE MAXIMUM PENALTY PROVIDED HEREIN 
SHALL BE IMPOSED." 
SEC. 2. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared 
invalid by a competent court, the remainder of this Act or any provision not 
affected by such declaration of invalidity shall remain in force and effect. 
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Approved, 
SEC. 3. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive 
orders, other executive issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof are 
hereby repealed amended or modified accordingly. 
SEC 4. Effectivity - This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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