Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Sixteenth Congress
First Regular Session

4447

House Bill No.

Introduced by AKBAYAN Representatives
Ibarra “Barry” M. Gutierrez III and Walden F, Bello

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The main consideration for the Reviied Penal Code’s definition of ‘persons in authority’ and ‘agents
of persons in authority’ is to ensure that a person will be amply protected in carrying out and in
enforcing rules and regulations and laws that ensure the maintenance of public order and of the

security of life and property.

When a plane is in flight, members of a flight crew are the only people who effectively have
jurisdiction over the passengers of a plane. During a flight, it is incumbent upon the plane pilot,
co-pilot, flight stewards and stewardesses, and other members of a flight crew to ensure that order

is maintained in order to avoid greater injury to the life and property of everyone in the plane.

Unfortunately, members of a flight crew risk being disrespected whenever they enforce and
impose tules for the protection of passengers. There is a need to elevate the position of members
of a flight crew to allow them to effectively maintain order in a plane when it is in flight. This bill
will ensure that passengers will be bound to follow the reasonable orders of membets of the flight
crew, and will ensure that members of a flight crew are protected from harassment and

unwatranted distespect whenever they issue reasonable orders inside a plane.

‘The immediate passage of this bill is, therefore, earnestly sought.

IB. “Bi " UTIERREZ IT WALDEN F. BELLO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Sixteenth Congress
First Regular Session

4447

House Bill No

Introduced by AKBAYAN Representatives
Ibarra “Barry” M. Gutierrez III and Walden F. Bello

AN ACT

ROD

DECLARING FLIGHT ATTENDANTS AND CREW MEMBERS AS PERSONS IN
AUTHORITY, AMENDING FOR THAT PURPOSE ARTICLE 152 OF ACT
NUMBER 3815 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “REVISED PENAL CODE OF
‘THE PHILIPPINES”

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 “Amendment to the Definition of Persons
in Authority Act of 2014.”

SECTION 2. Amendatory provision —Article 152 of Act No. 3815 otherwise known as the
Revised Penal Code of the Philppines is hereby amended to read:

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“Axticle 152. Persons in authority and agents of persons in authority; Who
shall be deemed as such—In applying the provisions of the preceding
and other atticles of this Code, any person directly vested with
jurisdiction, whether as an individual or as a member of some court
or governmental corporation, board, or commission, shall be deemed
4 person in authority. A barrio captain and a barangay chairman shall

also be deemed a person in authority.

‘A person who, by direct provision of law or by election or by
appointment by competent authority, is charged with the

maintenance of public order and the protection and secutity of life


and property, such as a barrio councilman, barrio policeman and
barangay leader and any person who comes to the aid of persons in

authority, shall be deemed an agent of a person in authority.

In applying the provisions of Article 148 and 151 of this Code,
teachers, professors and persons charged with the supervision of
public or duly recognized private schools, colleges and universities,

and lawyers in the actual performance of thei professional duties or

on the occasion of such performance, and pilots, co-pilots, flight
shall be deemed persons in authority.”

SECTION 3. Separability clause—If any past, section of provision of this Act is held invalid

or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 4. Repealing clause—All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or other
issuances, particularly that of the Revtsed Penal Cade, which are inconsistent with the provisions of
this Act, ate hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly. Article 152 of the Revised Penal
Code is expressly amended.

SECTION 5. Effectivity—This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the completion of
its publication in the Oficial Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,