FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 3114 
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) 
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Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Aside from media noche, 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 ad campaigns that show pictures of mangled hands of previous 
victims of firecracker blasts. Secretary Enrique Ona of the Department of Health even 
spearheaded the "A.P.I.R. 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 Philippine National Police Chief Nicanor Bartolome 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 454 from firecracker blasts and 18 
from stray bullets this New Year 2012. Records of people injured by stray bullets from previous 
years show that there had been 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 preventable deaths which result from wanton and reckless acts by irresponsible 
individuals 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. 
~ .. c::) 
MA~LITO" M. LAPID 
Senator 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 3114 
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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, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE 
KNOWN AS THE REVISED PENAL CODE 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Article 254 of Act 3815, as amended, otherwise known as the 
Revised Penal Code is hereby further amended to read as follows: 
"Article 254. Discharge of firearms. -
Any person who shall shoot [at 
another with] any firearm WITHOUT LAWFUL AUTHORITY shall suffer the penalty 
of prision correccional in its [minimum and medium] MAXIMUM PERIOD, unless 
the facts of the case are such that the act can be held to constitute frustrated or 
attempted parricide, murder, homicide or any other crime for which a higher 
penalty is prescribed by any of the articles of this Code. 
IF THE SHOOTING SHALL RESULT TO THE DEATH OF A VICTIM, THE 
PENALTY OF RECLUSION PERPETUA SHALL BE IMPOSED. 
IF THE PERSON SHOOTING SHALL BE A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL 
POLICE, ARMED FORCES OR ANY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY AUTHORIZED 
BY LAW TO BEAR ARMS, THE PENAL TV OF RECLUSION TEMPORAL IN ITS 
MAXIMUM PERIOD SHALL BE IMPOSED." 
SEC. 2. 
Repealing Clause. • All laws, orders, proclamations, rules and 
regulations, or part thereof, which are inconsistent with any provision of this Act are 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 


SEC. 3. 
Separability Clause . • If any provision or part of this Act, or the 
application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held unconstitutional or invalid, the 
remainder of this Act shall not be affected thereby. 
SEC. 4. 
Effectivity Clause . • This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
from the date of its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) 
newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,