SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B.No. 591 
'13 
,JUL -(l 
D 1 :13 
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Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
To date, there are no means with which to protect public officials from individuals 
bringing malicious accusations at them, yet the Revised Penal Code provides aggravated 
criminal liability for any public officer found taking advantage of his position. There 
should be a counter-balance to this law, otherwise anyone can just falsely accuse a public 
official of a crime without fear of prosecution except for a counter-suit. Moreover and in 
.. such cases, the defendant, being a public officer, will have to suffer loss of integrity 
(which he may never regain regardless ofthe outcome of the case). More importantly, the 
public official may be hindered from doing his duties competently. 
In the end it is the public who ultimately suffers. It is a waste of the govermnent's 
time and money to investigate.these false accusations only to dismiss them later on. This 
bill punishes false accusers of government officials so that it may serve as a deterrent to 
the former, who may use the complaint to disparage and embarrass the later. 
Hence, the passage of this bill is immediately sought. 
FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S. B. No. 591 
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 
AN ACT 
'J3 
JUL -8 P 1 :1:3 
AMENDING ARTICLE 359 OF ACT NO. 3815, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE 
KNOWN AS THE REVISED PENAL CODE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Article 359 of Ac~ No. 3815, as amended, is further amended to 
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read as follows: 
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"Art. 359. Slander by Deed. - The penalty of [arresto mayor in its maximum] 
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PRISION MAYOR IN ITS MEDIUM period to [prision correccional in its minimum] 
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ITS MAXIMUM .period or a fine [ranging from 200 to 1,0.00 pesos] oF! 100,000 
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PESOS, OR BOTH, shall be imposed upon any person who shall perform arty act not 
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included and puriished in this title, which shall cast dishonor, discredit, or contempt upon 
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another person [.] , SUCH AS, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE, INTENTIONAL. 
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FILING OF A FALSE COMPLAINT IN COURT OR.IN ANY OTHER 
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AGENCIES 
OF 
GOVERNMENT 
EXERCISING 
QUASI-JUDICIAL 
OR 
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ADMINISTRATIVE POWERS. If said act is not of a serious nature, the penalty shall 
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be [arresto menor] PRISION MAYOR IN ITS MINIMUM PERIOD or a fine [not 
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exceeding 200 pesos] OF 50,000 PESOS. 
. 
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IF DURING THE COURSE OF ANY FORMAL INVESTIGATION OR 
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TRIAL OF THE CASE IT IS PROVEN THAT THE' ABOVE FALSE 
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COMPLAINT HAS BEEN OR IS BEING USED BY THE COMPLAINANT AS A 
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LEVERAGE AGAINST ANY PERSON IN ORDER TO GAIN- A/WANTAGE OR 
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TO RECEIVE A FAVORABLE DECISION, ACTION OR RESOLUTION ON 
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ANY MATTER, THE MAXIMUM PENALTY PROVIDED HEREIN SHALL BE 
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IMPOSED." 
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SEC. 2. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid by a 
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competent court, the remainder of this Act or any provision not oth\lrwise affected by 
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such declaration of invalidity shall remain in force and effect. 
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SEC. 3. Rep~aling Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive ordfrs, other 
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executive issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are contr¥y to or 
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inconsistent with· the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified or amended 
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accordingly. 
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SEC. 4. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
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circulation. 
Approved, 
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