EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
'L ■
.>: •' ^ 
i 0 • 
-■ •
’19 
JUL 15 
A1C-.00
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
TO 
FURTHER 
STRENGTHEN 
THE 
APPREHENSION 
AGAINST 
THE 
OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 1 OF 
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1829, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS PENAUZING 
OBSTRUCTION OF APPREHENSION AND PROSECUTION OF CRIMINAL 
OFFENDERS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The proper administration of justice is essential in maintaining the peace and 
order in any country. It entails the observance of due process in the investigation, 
prosecution, as well as in the apprehension of suspects in criminal cases. Thus, 
justice is deemed served when a criminal receives punishment fit for the criminal act 
that he committed -  such is retributive justice in favor of the victim as well as the 
victim's family. In other words, justice is attained with the help of the unrestricted 
stewardship of the government.
The purpose of PD 1829, otherwise known as Penalizing Obstruction of 
Apprehension and Prosecution of Criminal Offenders or Obstruction of Justice, is to 
discourage public indifference or apathy towards the apprehension and prosecution 
of criminal offenders. In People vs. Pacalna (SB-17-CRM-0049), Justice Pahimna 
says:
"The general meaning of "obstruction of justice" denotes an 
interference with the orderly administration of law, impeding or 
obstructing those who seek justice in court or those who have duties 
or power of administering justice therein."


The current form of Section 1 of PD 1829 is as follows:
"Section 1. The penalty of prision correcciona! in its maximum 
period, or a fine ranging from 1,000 to 6,000 pesos, or both, shall be 
imposed upon any person who knowingly or willfully obstructs, 
impedes, frustrates or delays the apprehension of suspects and the 
investigation and prosecution of criminal cases by committing any of 
the following acts:
X X x"
An increase in the amount of the fine imperative given that PD 1829 was 
enacted in 1981. Moreover, PD 1829 can be the last resort of the prosecution if the 
factual allegations in the information or the evidence presented fails to depict the 
accused as an accessory to a crime. An accessory suffers a penalty two (2) degrees 
less than that suffered by an accomplice. Further, PD 1829 is also the remedy if 
Chapter 4 of RA 10175 otherwise known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 is 
not followed. Therefore, a stiffer penalty is essential to give the pertinent law a 
backbone.
Given the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is sought.
RAMO^BONG REVILLA, JR.


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B. NO. 
4 5 5
'\^ff fr ol l-i;
'19 
JUL 15 
AlO’-OO
RECE,' . :  !.•
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
TO 
FURTHER 
STRENGTHEN 
THE 
APPREHENSION 
AGAINST 
THE 
OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 1 OF 
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 1829, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS PENALIZING 
OBSTRUCTION OF APPREHENSION AND PROSECUTION OF CRIMINAL 
OFFENDERS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Section 1 of PD1829 is hereby amended to read as follows:
2 
"Section 1. The penalty of prision correcciona! \x\ its maximum
3 
period, or a fine ranging from THIRTY THOUSAND PESOS
4 
(P30,000.00) TO ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS
5 
(100,000.00) [ 1,000 to 6,000 pesos,] or both, shall be
6 
imposed upon any person who knowingly or willfully obstructs,
7 
impedes, frustrates or delays the apprehension of suspects and
8 
the investigation 
and 
prosecution 
of criminal 
cases 
by
9 
committing any of the following acts:
10 
X X x"
11 
Sec. 3. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its
12 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
13
14 
Approved,