FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 
5 
__ ___ 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Theft, robbery and destruction of public school property are more than just 
crimes against public property. They certainly constitute brazen assault on our 
educational institutions and a grievous attack to our country's educational system. 
Given that the materials involved are vital components of the educational 
process, such crimes undermine the education of our children, jeopardize their 
future and threaten to derail the government's avowed mission to provide quality 
education to all Filipinos. 
This bill will increase the jail time and monetary penalties for felons convicted 
of theft, robbery and destruction of public school property. In view of the security 
vulnerabilities of our schools, there is undoubtedly an urgent need for a stronger 
deterrent against such crimes. 
This proposed legislative measure, if enacted into law, will certainly provide 
that much-needed deterrent. 
Hence, the passage of this bill is hereby earnestly sought. 


I 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
IO 
I 1  
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
I8 
19 
20 
21 
FOURTEENTHCONGRESSOFTHE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
Senate Bill No. 
31 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING STIFFER PENALTlES FOR THEFT, ROBBERY AND DESTRUCTION 
OF PUBLIC SCHOOL PROPERTY 
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 "Public School 
Security Act of 2008". 
SEC. 2. Definition of Terms. - 
a. "School property" refers to all buildings, grounds and other property, real 
and personal, which belong to apublic school, whether the property is acquired 
through public funds, loans, donations or lease. 
b. "Public School" refers to all state-owned schools, colleges and universities. 
SEC. 3. Penalty for Theft and Robbery of School Property. - Any person 
convicted of the crime of theft or robbery as defined under Chapters One and Three 
of Title Ten of the Revised Penal Code of any school property shall be punished by 
the penalty next higher in degree than those respectively specified in the 
aforementioned articles of the Revised Penal Code: Provided, That the additional 
penalty specified herein shall no longer be made applicable if the imposable penalty 
is in its maximum period. 
SEC. 4. Penalty for Destruction of School Property. - A  public school building 
shall be considered a building of public ownership devoted to the use of public in 
general under Article 320 of the Revised Penal Code. Any peJ-son sho shall burn a 
public school building shall be convicted of the crime of destructive arson as defined 
in Article 320 of the Revised Penal Code. 
SEC. 5. Penalty for Special Case of Malicious Mischief. - Destruction to 
school property not covered by the immediately preceding Sections shall be 
2 


I 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
I 
8 
9 
IO 
I I  
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
I 8  
19 
20 
21 
considered a special case of malicious mischief under Chapter Nine of Title Ten of 
the Revised Penal Code. Any person who shall cause damage to school property 
shall be punished with the penalty next higher in degree than those specified in 
Articles 328 and 329 of the Revised Penal Code. 
SEC. 6. Penalty for Public Officials. - If the person convicted of the crimes 
referred in this Act is a public official as defined in Republic Act No. 6713 or the 
Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, the 
additional penalty of perpetual disqualification from public office shall be imposed. 
Conviction of a public officer under this Act is without prejudice to criminal 
prosecution andlor administrative proceedings under applicable Civil Service laws 
and regulations, Republic Act No. 6713, and Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft 
and Corrupt Practices Act. 
SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, 
and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 8. Separability Clause. - If any portion of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby shall 
remain in force and effect. 
SEC. 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect 15 days after its 
complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
3