SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
r' 
235 
S.No. __ 
) 
) 
) 
'13 
JUL -1 
P5 :05 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapia:' 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Aside from media 
nache, 
extravagant fireworks 
and deafening 
firecrackers now form part of the Filipino practice of celebrating New Year's 
Eve. Many Filipinos, mostly influenced by tradition, believe that loud New 
Year's celebrations drive away evil and misfortune. 
However, some have 
embraced and carried this superstition to extremes, setting off massive 
firecrackers and firing guns to welcome the New Year despite threats of arrest 
and warning against possible firecracker-related mishaps. 
Government health officials have, time and again, attempted to 
discourage dangerous celebrations by launching media campaigns that show 
pictures of mangled hands of victims of firecracker blasts. Secretary 
Enrique Ona of the Department of Health even spearheaded the "AP.LR. sa 
New Year" campaign, which proposed five alternative ways of spending 
New Year's Eve, with the end in view of curtailing injuries and deaths 
during this holiday. Reports also cite that even the head of the national police 
has threatened his men with dismissal if they fired their guns in revelry. 
However, despite the efforts of government, 
the 
violent 
tradition 
has 
continued, injuring around 39 from stray bullets, killing Stephanie Nicole Ella 
and Ranjilo Nemer, who suffered from four gunshot wounds to his head and 
body, in this year's celebration (2013). Records of people injured by stray 
bullets from previous years show that there had been 18 reported incidents in 
2012, 15 reported incidents in 2011, 33 reported incidents in 2010 and 39 
reported incidents in 2009. 
This measure aims to provide for stiffer penalties on celebratory 
gunfire so as to altogether stop deaths which result from wanton and reckless 
acts by irresponsible individtlals who have no regard for the interest and safety 
of others. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
( 
til> ZQ.c:;) 
MANUEL "LITO" M. L7' 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
( 
235 
s. No. --'-'--"'--..::: 
) 
) 
) 
'13 JIlL -1 P5:()6 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR STIFFER PENALTIES ON 
ILLEGAL 
DISCHARGE OF FIREARMS AMENDING FOR THAT PURPOSE 
ARTICLE 254 OF TITLE VIII CHAPTER ONE OF ACT 3815,1 AS 
AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE REVISED PENAL 
CODE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. Article 254 of Act 3815, as amended, otherwise known 
2 
as the Revised Penal Code is hereby further amended to read as follows: 
3 
4 
"Article 254. Discharge of firearms . • Any person who shall shoot [at 
5 
another with] any firearm WITHOUT LAWFUL AUTHORITY shall suffer the 
6 
penalty of prision correccional in its [minimum and medium] MAXIMUM 
7 
PERIOD, unless the facts of the case are such that the act can be held to 
8 
constitute frustrated or attempted parricide, murder, homicide or any other 
9 
crime for which a higher penalty is prescribed by any of the articles of this 
10 
Code. 
11 
. IF THE SHOOTING SHALL RESULT TO THE DEATH OF A 
12 
VICTIM, 
THE PENALTY OF RECLUSION PERPETUA SHALL BE 
13 
IMPOSED. 
14 
IF THE PERSON SHOOTING SHALL BE A MEMBER OF THE 
15 
NATIONAL POLICE, ARMED FORCES OR ANY LAW. ENFORCEMENT 
16 
AGENCY AUTHORIZED BY LAW TO BEAR ARMS, THE PENAL TV OF 
17 
RECLUSION 
TEMPORAL 
IN 
ITS MAXIMUM PERIOD $HALL BE 
18 
IMPOSED." 
19 
1 


\ 
1 
SEC. 2. 
Repealing Clause. - All laws, orders, proclamations, jules 
2 
and regulations, or part thereof, which are inconsistent with any provision 
3 
of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
4 
SEC. 3. 
Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act, or 
5 
the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held unconstitutional or 
6 
invalid, the remainder of this Act shall not be affected thereby. 
7 
SEC. 4. 
Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) 
8 
days from the date of its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in 
9 
at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
2