Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH (19th) CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO._______ 
_____________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by REP. JOSEPH STEPHEN S. PADUANO 
_____________________________________________________________________ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Road signs are essential for motorist in navigating and staying safe in driving 
on our roads and streets.  They provide warnings for drivers when to slow down 
whenever there are road repairs or closures, and other applicable scenarios.  Road signs 
also provide different information, and let drivers know such as where are the essential 
facilities such as phones, hospital, lay-bays, and other services that often needed in 
emergency situations, in highways or expressways. 
Unfortunately, one common problem in our roads and streets are vandalized or 
stolen road or traffic signs.  Vandalized road signs cause confusion for motorists, with 
either defaced or torn signage, while stolen road signs will totally leave motorists 
clueless of where to turn or what is coming ahead. 
An article by Rappler in 2017 reported a data from the Department of Public 
Works and Highways (DPWH) that “42,558 have been stolen or vandalized in 2013” 
that will result to errors of motorists, and even pedestrians due to lack of proper traffic 
signages or early warning devices.  The said public works department attested to this 
when in 2019, they warned the public of the dangers in vandalizing road signages that 
causes vehicular accidents.  This is in relation to stolen, damaged, or removed road 
signages installed by contractors working on road projects. 
On this note, this Representation wishes to forward this measure that seeks 
stronger penalties against vandalism and undue damages to traffic and road signs, and 
will eventually curb such acts, and will further serve as deterrent to this kind of crime. 
August 11, 2022
3:34 pm
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In the 18th Congress, House Bill (HB) No. 7886, titled “An Act Imposing Stiffer 
Penalties for the Offenses of Stealing or Vandalizing of Government Road and Traffic 
Signs, Warning Devices, Accessories and other Facilities”, with this Representation 
included as principal author of the Third Reading Copy, with the main proponents of 
similar bills that was substituted by the aforementioned measure. It was approved on 
third and final reading by the members of the 18th Congress after it was deliberated 
and submitted to the Plenary by the Committees on Revision of Laws.  Afterwards it 
was transmitted to the Senate, however, due to various factors; it was not enacted into 
law.  Also, there were similar bills that were filed in the 16th and 17th Congress that 
contributes to the length and depth of processes for this proposed measure. 
Hence, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 JOSEPH STEPHEN S. PADUANO 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH (19th) CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO._______ 
_____________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by REP. JOSEPH STEPHEN S. PADUANO 
_____________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT 
IMPOSING STIFFER PENALTIES FOR THE OFFENSES OF STEALING OR 
VANDALIZING OF GOVERNMENT ROAD AND TRAFFIC SIGNS, WARNING 
DEVICES, ACCESSORIES AND OTHER FACILITIES 
Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the 
Philippines  in Congress  assembled:  
SECTION 1. Short Title – This Act shall be known as the "Stealing or Vandalizing of 
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Government Road and Traffic Signs and Devices Act".  
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SEC.  2. Declaration of Policy – It is the policy of the State to protect the safety of 
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people and their property. In this regard, the State shall endeavor to continually improve the 
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condition of roads and make vehicular traffic as safe as possible by providing motorists with 
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appropriate information through signs and accident-prevention devices. In pursuit of this end, 
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the State shall mandate concerned government agencies and instrumentalities to install, in 
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conspicuous and appropriate places, road and traffic signs and devices, to warn motorists of 
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risks and dangers on the road. 
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SEC. 3. Theft and Damage of Government Traffic and Road Signs and Devices – It 
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shall be unlawful to steal or vandalize government road and traffic signs, warning devices, 
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accessories, and other facilities, installed by national and local governments for the purpose of 
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cautioning motorists of imminent dangers along the road. 
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SEC. 4. Government Road and Traffic Signs Warning Devices and Accessories – As 
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used in this Act, the term "road and traffic signs, warning devices and accessories, and other 
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facilities" shall mean road or traffic signs exemplified by the signs "Stop", "Yield", "Slippery 
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When Wet". Signs indicating zigzagging sections of roads, railings, and similar devices shall 
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serve to provide road information, notices and warnings to motorists and the public to facilitate 
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vehicular traffic and avoid the occurrence of accidents, loss of life and damage to property. A 
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man-hole cover shall be considered a road accident-prevention accessory. 
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The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) shall provide a list of all 
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lawful road and traffic signs, warning devices and accessories, and other facilities owned by the 
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government. The list shall be updated as the need arises. 
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SEC. 5. Prohibited Acts — It shall be unlawful for any person to commit any of the 
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following acts: 
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1) Steal government road and traffic signs, warning devices, accessories, and other 
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facilities or any parts thereof, installed by national and local governments, listed 
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and duly provided by the DPWH under Section 4 of this Act;  
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2) Vandalize, damage, destroy, dismantle, or disassemble government road and traffic 
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signs, warning devices, accessories, and other facilities or any part thereof, installed 
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by national and local governments, listed and duly provided by the DPWH under 
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Section 4 of this Act; 
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3) Sell or buy stolen road and traffic signs, warning devices, accessories, and other 
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facilities or any part thereof, listed and duly provided by the DPWH under Section 
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4 of this Act; 
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4) Attempt to commit any of the aforementioned prohibited acts; and 
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5) Benefit from the proceeds or fruits of any of the abovementioned prohibited acts 
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knowing that the same are derived from the commission of a prohibited act. 
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SEC. 6. Penalties – The violation of this Act shall be punished with the following 
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penalties: 
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a. The penalty of imprisonment of not less than twelve (12) years but not more than 
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fifteen (15) years or a fine twice (2x) the market value of the government property 
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stolen in Philippine Currency, or both, at the discretion of the court, shall be 
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imposed on any person found guilty of stealing government road and traffic signs, 
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warning devices, accessories, and other facilities or any part thereof, including man-
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hole covers as defined in Section of this Act; 
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b. The same penalty provided under paragraph (a) of this Section shall be imposed on 
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any person found guilty of selling or buying government road and traffic signs, 
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other risk reduction or warning devices, accessories, and other facilities or any part 
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thereof as defined in Section 4 of this Act; 
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c. The penalty of imprisonment of not less than six (6) years but not more than ten 
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(10) years or a fine twice (2x) the market value of the government property in 
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Philippine Currency, or both, at the discretion of the court, shall be imposed on any 
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person found 
guilty of vandalizing, destroying, damaging, tampering, or 
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disassembling government road and traffic signs, warning devices, accessories, and 
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other facilities or any part thereof, including man-hole covers as defined in Section 
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4 of this Act; 
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d. The penalty of imprisonment of not less than six (6) years but not more than eight 
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(8) years or a fine equivalent to the market value of the government property in 
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Philippine Currency, or both, at the discretion of the court, shall be imposed on any 
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person who attempts to commit any of the prohibited acts provided Section 4 of this 
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Act; 
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e. The penalty of imprisonment of not less than two (2) years but not more than seven 
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(7) years or a fine twice (2x) the market value of the government property in 
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Philippine Currency, or both, at the discretion of the court, shall be imposed on any 
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person found guilty of unlawfully benefiting from the proceeds or fruits of any of 
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the prohibited acts enumerated in Section 4 of this Act; and 
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f. Government employees found guilty of violation of this Act either as principal or 
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as an accomplice shall be penalized according to the penalties prescribed in Section 
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6 of this Act. In addition, such government employees shall forfeit all their 
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retirement benefits and shall be barred from further employment with the 
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government. 
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SEC. 7. Incentives — Cash incentives shall be provided to a person or persons who will 
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provide information leading to the apprehension of violators of this Act. The amount of 
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incentives shall be provided for in the rules and regulations to be promulgated to implement 
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this Act. 
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SEC. 8. Non-applicability of Articles 308, 309 and 310 of the Revised Penal Code – 
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Articles 308, 309, and 310 of the Revised Penal Code shall not be applicable to cases 
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contemplated or enumerated in this Act. 
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SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations – Within one hundred eighty (180) days 
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from the effectivity of this Act, the DPWH shall issue the necessary rules and regulations tor 
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its implementation. 
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SEC. 10. Separability Clause – Any portion or provision of this Act which may be 
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declared unconstitutional or contrary to any existing law shall not have the effect of 
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nullifying other portions or provisions hereof. 
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SEC. 11. Repealing Clause - All other laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, and other 
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issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed or modified 
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accordingly. 
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SEC. 12. Effectivity – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
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in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
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Approved,  
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