EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBUC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. B. No. 1003
;i> ic 
f t  t i l '  
t ' r p
*19 
SEP -3 
A11 •■48
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "B^NG" T. GO
AN ACT
AMENDING ARTICLES 29, 97, 98, AND 99 OF ACT NO. 3815, OTHERWISE 
KNOWN AS THE REVISED PENAL CODE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Republic Act No. 10592, enacted during the 15th Congress, has recently been 
made the subject of differing interpretations due to the formulation of the wording of 
its provisions. As a consequence, prisoners, including recidivists, habitual delinquents, 
escapees, and persons charged with heinous crimes, were granted allowances under 
Articles 29, 97, and 98 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended.
It has recently become known to the public that under the law and its 
implementing rules and regulations, a number of criminals convicted of heinous crimes 
have been released. This has caused outrage and anger among the public. This 
outrage is shared by no less than the President of the Philippines whose hard stance 
against criminality has been well documented and well known to the public.
This representation has, time and again, emphasized the importance of 
eliminating criminality. It is one of the ways by which the country can achieve true 
progress that is actually felt by the people. In order to achieve this goal, the 
government's hard-line stance against criminality must be exhibited not only through 
police operations and similar activities, but even in dealing with criminals convicted of 
committing crimes which demonstrate deep depravity and vicious tendencies.
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There must be no doubt left in the depraved minds of these criminals that no 
silver lining can be had once they cross the line and choose to commit heinous crimes. 
True deterrence can be achieved only if our laws exhibit the same rigidness which our 
leaders display.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is hereby earnestly sought.
SENATOR CHRI
HER LAWRENCE "BONG" T. GO


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EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
Senate Bill No. 1003
•19 
SEP -3 
A ll :48
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE 'f^bNG"'T. GO­
AN ACT
AMENDING ARTICLES 29, 97, 98, AND 99 OF ACT NO. 3815, OTHERWISE 
KNOWN AS THE REVISED PENAL CODE, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it  enacted b y  the Senate and the House o f Representatives o f  the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
WHEREAS, in 2013, the Fifteenth Congress of the Republic of the Philippines 
enacted Republic Act No. 10592, which amended, among others. Articles 29, 97, 98, and 
99 of Act No. 3815, otherwise known as the Revised Penal Code;
WHEREAS, in 2014, pursuant to Section 7 of Republic Act No. 10592, the Secretary 
of the Department of Justice and the Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local 
Government issued the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 10592;
WHEREAS, such Implementing Rules and Regulations did not categorically state 
that recidivists, habitual delinquents, escapees, and persons charged with heinous crimes 
are excluded from the benefits under Republic Act No. 10592;
WHEREAS, notwithstanding the ambiguity in the law and its implementing rules, 
the Bureau of Corrections interpreted both Republic Act No. 10592 and its Implementing 
Rules and Regulations to mean, among others, that recidivists, habitual delinquents, 
escapees, and persons charged with heinous crimes are eligible to be granted allowances


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under Articles 29, 97 and 98 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Republic Act No. 
10592;
WHEREAS, because of such interpretation by the Bureau of Corrections, prisoners, 
including recidivists, habitual delinquents, escapees, and persons charged with heinous 
crimes, were granted allowances under Articles 29,97, and 98 of the Revised Penal Code, 
as amended by Republic Act No. 10592;
WHEREAS, because of grants of allowances, 2159 prisoners who were convicted 
of heinous crimes were released by the Bureau of Corrections;
WHEREAS, the release of such prisoners had the effect of diluting the gravity of 
the offenses they have committed; and
WHEREAS, Articles 29, 97, and 98 of the Revised Penal Code should be amended 
further to clearly state the intent and policy of the law not to extend the benefits of time 
allowances to prisoners who are recidivists, habitual delinquents, escapees, as well as to 
those who are charged with and convicted of heinous crimes;
WHEREAS, in recognition of the fact that the governmental institutions, including 
the Bureau of Corrections and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, are not 
infallible, there is a need to provide for a mechanism for mandatory review of the grants 
of time allowances to prisoners;
Now, therefore.
Section 1. Article 29 of Act No. 3815, otherwise known as the "Revised Penal 
Code," is further amended to read as follows:


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"Article 
29. 
Period o f  preventive 
im prisonm ent 
deducted from  term  o f im prisonm ent -  Offenders or accused 
who have undergone preventive imprisonment, EXCEPT 
THOSE 
WHO 
ARE 
RECIDIVISTS, 
HABITUAL 
DELINQUENTS, 
ESCAPEES 
OR THOSE 
WHO ARE 
CHARGED 
W ITH  
AND 
CONVICTED 
OF 
HEINOUS 
CRIMES, shall be credited in the service of their sentence 
consisting of deprivation of liberty, with the full time during 
which they have undergone preventive imprisonment if the 
detention prisoner agrees voluntarily in writing after being 
informed of the effects thereof and with the assistance of 
counsel to abide by the same disciplinary rules imposed upon 
convicted prisoners, except [in the f-oliowing cases:
1. When they arc recidivists, or have been convicted 
previously twice or more times of eny crime; and
2. When] WHEN THE OFFENDER OR ACCUSED,
upon being summoned for the execution of their sentence, 
they have failed to surrender voluntarily.
"If the detention prisoner does not agree to abide by 
the same disciplinary rules imposed upon convicted prisoners, 
he shall do so in writing with the assistance of a counsel and 
shall be credited in the service of his sentence with four-fifths 
of the time during which he has undergone preventive 
imprisonment.
"Credit for preventive imprisonment for the penalty of 
reclusion perpetua shall be deducted from thirty (30) years.
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"Whenever an accused has undergone preventive 
imprisonment for a period equal to the possible maximum 
imprisonment of the offense charged to which he may be 
sentenced and his case is not yet terminated, he shall be 
released immediately without prejudice to the continuation of 
the trial thereof or the proceeding on appeal, if the same is 
under review[. Computation of proventivo imprisonment for 
purposes of immediate release under this paragraph shall-be 
the actual period of detention with good conduct time 
allowance.]; Provided, [ however,] That if the accused is 
absent without justifiable cause at any stage of the trial, the 
court may m otu proprio order the rearrest of the accused[T]-
"IN  CASE THE MAXIMUM PENALTY TO W HICH 
THE ACCUSED MAY BE SENTENCED IS  DESTIERRO, HE 
SHALL BE RELEASED AFTER THIRTY (3 0 ) DAYS OF 
PREVENTIVE 
IMPRISONMENT, 
PROVIDED 
HE 
IS 
ELIGIBLE UNDER THE FIRST PARAGRAPH OF THIS 
PROVISION.
"COMPUTATION 
OF 
THE 
PERIOD 
OF 
PREVENTIVE IMPRISONMENT FOR PURPOSES OF 
IMMEDIATE 
RELEASE 
UNDER 
THE 
FOREGOING 
PARAGRAPHS SHALL BE THE ACTUAL PERIOD OF 
DETENTION 
W ITH 
ANY 
APPLICABLE 
TIME 
ALLOWANCES; [ Provided, finally. That recidivists, habitual 
dolinquefits, escapees and persons -charged with heinous 
crimes ■ are excluded from the coverage of this Act] 
PROVIDED, THAT IN  THE CASE OF RECIDIVISTS,
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HABITUAL DELINQUENTS, ESCAPEES, OR THOSE WHO 
ARE CHARGED W ITH AND CONVICTED OF HEINOUS 
CRIMES, THE COMPUTATION SHALL BE THE ACTUAL 
PERIOD OF DETENTION ONLY.
[ In case the maximum penalty to which the accused 
may be sentenced is destierro, he shall be rclcasccl after thirty 
(30) days of preventive imprisonment.]
"FOR PURPOSES OF THIS PROVISION, HEINOUS 
CRIMES SHALL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING OFFENSES:
1. 
TREASON;
2. 
PIRACY IN  GENERAL AND MUTINY ON 
THE HIGH SEAS OR IN  PHILIPPINE WATERS;
3. 
QUALIFIED PIRACY;
4. 
QUALIFIED BRIBERY;
5. 
PARRICIDE;
6. 
MURDER;
7. 
INFANTICIDE;
8. 
KIDNAPPING 
AND 
SERIOUS 
ILLEGAL 
DETENTION;


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9. 
ROBBERY W ITH VIOLENCE AGAINST OR 
IN TIM ID A TIO N  OF PERSONS;
10. 
DESTRUCTIVE ARSON;
11. 
RAPE;
12. 
PLUNDER;
13. 
THE 
FOLLOWING 
VIOLATIONS 
OF 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9165, WHERE THE SAME IS  
PUNISHABLE BY RECLUSION PERPETUATO DEATH OR 
DEATH:
a. 
IMPORTATION 
OF 
DANGEROUS
DRUGS AND/OR CONTROLLED PRECURSORS 
AND ESSENTIAL CHEMICALS;
b. 
SALE, 
TRADING,
ADM INISTRATION, DISPENSATION, DELIVERY, 
DISTRIBUTION 
AND 
TRANSPORTATION 
OF 
DANGEROUS 
DRUGS AND/O R CONTROLLED 
PRECURSORS AND ESSENTIAL CHEMICALS;
C. 
MAINTENANCE OF A DEN, DIVE OR
RESORT;
d. 
MANUFACTURE 
OF 
DANGEROUS
DRUGS AN D/O R  CONTROLLED PRECURSORS 
AND ESSENTIAL CHEMICALS;


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e. POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS DRUGS;
f. 
CULTIVATION 
OR 
CULTURE 
OF 
PLANTS CLASSIFIED AS DANGEROUS DRUGS OR 
ARE SOURCES THEREOF;
g. 
UNLAWFUL 
PRESCRIPTION 
OF 
DANGEROUS DRUGS;
h. 
MISAPPROPRIATION,
MISAPPLICATION OR FAILURE TO ACCOUNT 
FOR 
THE 
CONFISCATED, 
SEIZED 
AND/OR 
SURRENDERED 
DANGEROUS 
DRUGS, 
PLANT 
SOURCES 
OF 
DANGEROUS 
DRUGS, 
CONTROLLED PRECURSORS AND ESSENTIAL 
CHEMICALS, 
INSTRUMENTS/PARAPHERNALIA 
AND/OR LABORATORY EQUIPMENT INCLUDING 
THE PROCEEDS OR PROPERTIES OBTAINED 
FROM THE UNLAWFUL ACT COMMITTED BY A 
PUBLIC OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE; OR
i. 
PLANTING OF EVIDENCE;
14. 
CARNAPPING."
Sec. 2. Article 97 of Act No. 3815, otherwise known as the "Revised Penal Code," 
is further amended to read as follows:


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"Article 97. Allowance fo r g o od conduct. -  The good 
conduct of any offender qualified for credit for preventive 
imprisonment pursuant to Article 29 of this [Gede] ACT, or of 
any convicted prisoner in any penal institution, rehabilitation 
or detention center or any other local jail shall entitle him to 
the following deductions from the period of his sentence;
"1. During the first two years of imprisonment, he shall 
be allowed a deduction of twenty days for each month of good 
behavior during detention;
"2. During the third to the fifth year, inclusive, of his 
imprisonment, he shall be allowed a reduction of twenty-three 
days for each month of good behavior during detention;
"3. During the following years until the tenth year, 
inclusive, of his imprisonment, he shall be allowed a deduction 
of twenty-five days for each month of good behavior during 
detention;
"4. During the eleventh and successive years of his 
imprisonment, he shall be allowed a deduction of thirty days 
for each month of good behavior during detention; and
” 5. At any time during the period of imprisonment, he 
shall be allowed another deduction of fifteen days, in addition 
to numbers one to four hereof, for each month of study, 
teaching or mentoring service time rendered.


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"An appeal by the accused shall not deprive him of 
entitlement to the above allowances for good conduct.
"TH IS PROVISION SHALL NOT BE APPLICABLE 
TO 
RECIDIVISTS, 
HABITUAL 
DELINQUENTS,
ESCAPEES, OR THOSE WHO ARE CHARGED W ITH AND 
CONVICTED OF HEINOUS CRIMES AS DEFINED UNDER 
ARTICLE 29 OF ACT NO. 3815."
Sec. 3. Article 98 of Act No. 3815, otherwise known as the "Revised Penal Code,' 
is further amended to read as follows:
"Article 98. Special tim e allowance fo r loyalty. -  A 
deduction of one fifth of the period of his sentence shall be 
granted to any prisoner who, having evaded his preventive 
imprisonment or the service of his sentence under the 
circumstances mentioned in Article 158 of this Code, gives 
himself up to the authorities within 48 hours following the 
issuance of a proclamation announcing the passing away of 
the calamity or catastrophe referred to in said article. A 
deduction of two-fifths of the period of his sentence shall be 
granted in case said prisoner chose to stay in the place of his 
confinement notwithstanding the existence of a calamity or 
catastrophe enumerated in Article 158 of this Code.
"This Article shall apply to any prisoner whether 
undergoing preventive imprisonment or serving sentence.
TO
"THIS PROVISION SHALL NOT BE APPLICABLE 
RECIDIVISTS, 
HABITUAL 
DELINQUENTS,


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ESCAPEES, OR THOSE WHO ARE CHARGED W ITH AND 
CONVICTED OF HEINOUS CRIMES AS DEFINED UNDER 
ARTICLE 29 OF ACT NO. 3 8 1 5 .'
Sec. 4. Article 99 of Act No. 3815, otherwise known as the "Revised Penal Code," 
is further amended to read as follows:
"Article 
99. 
Who 
grants 
tim e 
allowances; 
M A N D A T O R Y  R E V IE W ; TRANSPARENCY. -  Whenever 
lawfully justified, the Director of the Bureau of Corrections, 
the Chief of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology 
and/or the Warden of a provincial, district, municipal or city 
jail shall grant allowances for good conduct. [ Such allowances 
oncG granted shall not be revoke^r]
"ANY GRANT OF ALLOWANCES UNDER ACT NO.
3815 AND OTHER PENAL LAWS SHALL BE SUBJECT TO 
MANDATORY REVIEW BY THE SECRETARY OF THE 
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
"THE 
BUREAU 
OF 
CORRECTIONS 
SHALL 
BIANNUALLY PUBLISH THE LIST OF ALL PRISONERS 
WHO HAVE BEEN RELEASED BY VIRTUE OF THE 
GRANT OF ALLOWANCES UNDER ACT NO. 3815 AND 
OTHER PENAL LAWS.
"THE 
BUREAU 
OF 
CORRECTIONS 
SHALL 
BIANNUALLY SUBMIT TO CONGRESS A REPORT ON 
ALL PRISONERS WHO HAVE BEEN RELEASED BY
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VIRTUE OF THE GRANT OF ALLOWANCES UNDER ACT 
NO. 3815 AND OTHER PENAL LAWS."
Sec. 5. Im plem enting Rules and Regulations. -  The Secretary of the Department 
of Justice (DOJ) and the Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local 
Government (DILG) shall within sixty (60) days from the approval of this Act, promulgate 
rules and regulations necessary for the proper implementation of the provisions of this 
Act.
Sec. 6. Prospective Application. -  This Act and its effects shall apply prospectively.
Sec. 7. Separability Clause. -  If any part hereof is held invalid or unconstitutional, 
the remainder of the provisions not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.
Sec. 8. 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.
Sec. 9. E ffectivity Clause. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) new papers of general circulation.
Approved,
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