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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
1 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Second Regular Session 
) 
S E N A T E  
S.B. 2G9 
Introduced by Senator Villar 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Through the years, re-electionist public officials have not been able to resist the 
temptation of dipping their hands into public funds for the purpose of satisfying their own 
personal needs, and also, to build up their own personal war chest for their re-election 
campaigns. 
Due to the nearing election period, it is best to arm the Commission on Elections 
with another effective weapon to fight the very evil being committed by the same public 
officials, whose sworn duty it is to fight the same. Henceforth, the urgent passage of this 
legislation is earnestly sought, 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
1 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
, L/ - . .. 
Second Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T E  
S. B
.
m
 
Introduced by Senator Villar 
AN ACT 
AMENDING SECTION 227 OF ACT NO. 3815, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
REVISED PENAL CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES, AS AMENDED. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Article 227 of the Revised Penal Code is hereby amended to read 
as follows: 
"Art. 217. Malversation of public funds or property; Presumption of malversation. 
- 
Any public officer who, by reason of the duties of his office, is accountable for 
public funds or property, shall appropriate the same or shall take or 
misappropriate or shall consent, through abandonment or negligence, shall 
permit any other person to take such public funds, or property, wholly or partially, 
or shall otherwise be guilty of the misappropriation or malversation of such funds 
or property, shall suffer: 
1. The penalty of prision correcciqnal in its medium and maximum periods, if the 
amount involved in the misappropriation or malversation does not exceed two 
hundred pesos. 
2. The penalty of prision mayor in its minimum and medium periods, if the 
amount involved is more than two hundred pesos but does not exceed six 
thousand Desos. 
3. The penalty of prision mayor in its maximum period to reclusion temporal in its 
minimum period, if the amount involved is more than six thousand pesos but is 
less than twelve thousand pesos. 
4. The penalty of reclusion temporal, in its medium and maximum periods, if the 
amount involved is more than twelve thousand pesos but is less than twenty-two 
thousand pesos. If the amount exceeds the latter, the penalty shall be reclusion 
temporal in its maximum period to reclusion perpetua. 
In all cases, persons guilty of malversation shall also suffer the penalty of 
perpetual special disqualification and a fine equal to the amount of the funds 
malversed or equal to the total value of the property embezzled. 


The failure of a public officer to have duly forthcoming any public funds or 
property with which he is chargeable, upon demand by any duly authorized 
officer, shall be prima facie evidence that he has put such missing funds or 
property to personal use. (As amended by RA 1060). 
IF PUBLIC FUNDS WERE DIVERTED FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES, THE 
PENALTY OF PRlSlON MAYOR IN ITS MAXIMUM PERIOD AND THE 
PENALTY OF PERPETUAL SPECIAL DISQUALIFICATION SHALL BE 
IMPOSED.” 
SECTION 2. Repealing Clause. - All laws, orders, proclamations, rules and 
regulations, or part thereof, which are inconsistent with any provision of this Act are 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
, .  
SECTION 3. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
following its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two newspapers of general 
circulation. 
Approved