Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUSTAVO S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING STIFFER PENALTIES FOR ROBBERY, THEFT, AND DESTRUCTION OF 
PUBLIC PROPERTY 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Destruction of public property such as but not limited to street names, traffic signals and 
signages, steel railings, and waiting sheds have become so rampant nowadays and it is the 
hope that through this piece of legislation, people would be deterred from committing such 
acts in the future. 
This measure defines public property and provides penalties for the commission of punishable 
acts constituting destruction, theft, robbery, and arson of public property.  
The rampant destruction of public property is not only inimical to the resources of the national 
coffer but also if remains unabated, will remain a constant or recurring affair much to 
detriment of the community. 
On behalf of the people of Parañaque City’s Second District, and for the common good of the 
Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought. 
REP GUSTAVO S. TAMBUNTING 
2nd District, Parañaque City 
August 23, 2022
2:27 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ______ 
Introduced by HON. GUSTAVO S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING STIFFER PENALTIES FOR ROBBERY, THEFT, AND DESTRUCTION OF 
PUBLIC PROPERTY 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the "Public Property Security Act." 
SECTION 2. Definition. – For purposes of this Act, the following term shall mean: 
(a) Public Property - Any property that is not owned by a private individual or a company.
It belongs to the public at large and not to any one person. It covers premises and
facilities that are owned by the government or a community.
SECTION 3. Theft of Robbery of Public Property; Penalty. – Any person convicted of 
the crime of the theft of robbery of any public property shall be punished by the penalty next 
higher in degree than those imposable for such offenses under Chapters One and Three of 
Title Ten of the Revised Penal Code: Provided, That the penalty specified herein shall no longer 
be made applicable if the imposable penalty is in its maximum period.  
SECTION 4. Destruction of Public Property; Penalty. – A public property shall be 
considered a building of public ownership devoted to the use of the public in general under 
Article 320 of the Revised Penal Code. Any person who shall burn a public building shall be 
convicted of the crime of destructive arson as defined in Article 320 of the Revised Penal Code. 
SECTION 5. Special Case of Malicious Mischief; Penalty. – Destruction to public 
property not covered by the immediately preceding sections shall be 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 public property shall be punished with the penalty next higher in 
degree than those imposable under Articles 328 and 329 of the Revised Penal Code. 
SECTION 6. The penalty for Public Officials. – If the person convicted of the crimes 
referred to in this Act is a public official as defined in Republic Act NO. 6713 of the Code of 
Conduct and Ethical Standards for public office shall be imposed. Conviction of a public officer 
under this Act is without prejudice to criminal prosecution and/or administrative proceedings 
under applicable or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. 
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SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Department of the Interior 
and Local Government (DILG) and other appropriate government agencies shall promulgate 
the revised implementing rules and regulations necessary for the effective implementation of 
this Act. 
 
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. – All other laws, decrees, orders, issuances, rules, and 
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended or repealed 
accordingly. 
 
SECTION 9. Separability Clause. – The provisions of this Act are hereby declared to be 
separable and, in the event any of such provisions is declared unconstitutional, the order 
provision, which is not affected thereby, shall remain in full force and effect. 
 
SECTION 10. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,