Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Articles 178 and 348 of the Revised Penal Code penalize those persons who use 
fictitious name and conceal their identity or usurp the civil status of another. However, 
these penal provisions do not apply to persons who, for any reason of their own, induce 
or cause one to do these prohibited acts. 
The bill seeks to penalize not only those who directly commit the prohibited acts under 
these Articles, but also those who enable the commission of such acts.  
In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is sought. 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
November 10, 2022
2:54 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
AN ACT 
PENALIZING ANY PERSON WHO INDUCES OR CAUSES ANOTHER TO USE A 
FICTITIOUS NAME, OR CONCEALS HIS TRUE NAME, OR USURPS THE CIVIL 
STATUS OF ANOTHER PERSON, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE ARTICLES 178 
AND 348 OF THE REVISED PENAL CODE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Article 178 of the Revised Penal Code is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
"Art. 178. 
Using fictitious name and concealing true name. The penalty 
of prision mayor and a fine not to exceed Fifty Thousand Pesos 
(P50,000.00) shall be imposed upon any person who shall publicly use a 
fictitious name for the purpose of concealing a crime, evading the 
execution of a judgment or causing damage. 
Any person who conceals his true name and other personal circumstances 
shall be punished by arresto menor or a fine not to exceed Two Hundred 
Pesos (P200.00). 
THE PENALTY OF PRISION MAYOR AND A FINE NOT TO EXCEED 
FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS (P50,000.00) SHALL BE IMPOSED UPON 
ANY 
PERSON 
WHO, 
FOR 
ANY 
PURPOSE 
WHATSOEVER, 
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KNOWINGLY INDUCES ANOTHER TO USE A FICTITIOUS NAME OR 
CONCEAL 
HIS 
TRUE 
NAME 
AND 
OTHER 
PERSONAL 
CIRCUMSTANCES. 
 
SECTION 2. Article 348 of the Revised Penal Code is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
"Art. 348. 
Usurpation of civil status. – The penalty of prision mayor shall 
be imposed upon any person who shall usurp the civil status of another, 
should he do for the purpose of defrauding the offended party or his heirs; 
otherwise, the penalty of prision correccional in its medium and maximum 
periods shall be imposed. 
 
THE PENALTY OF PRISION MAYOR IN ITS MAXIMUM PERIOD SHALL 
BE IMPOSED UPON ANY PERSON WHO KNOWINGLY INDUCES OR 
CAUSES ANOTHER TO USURP THE CIVIL STATUS OF ANOTHER 
FOR ANY PURPOSES WHATSOEVER. 
 
SECTION 3. Separability Clause. - If any provision, or part hereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
remain valid and subsisting. 
 
SECTION 4. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, or 
inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended 
accordingly. 
 
SECTION 5. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,