FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 522 
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INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The elements of the crime punishable under Article 179 of the Revised 
Penal Code (Act No. 3815, as amended) are the following: 
a) That the offender makes use of insignia, uniform or dress. 
b) That the insignia, unifqrm or dress pertains to an office nor head by 
the offender or to a class of persons of which he is not a member. 
c) That side insignia, uniform or dress is used publicly and improperly. 
As stated in another bill filed by this author seeking to amend Article 177 
of the Revised Penal Code, our poor uneducated countrymen are the usual 
victims of the violation of the particular penal provision. Not a few come to the 
author's office complaining that persons, wearing uniforms and/or using insignia 
pretending to be police officers, accosted and extorted money from them. It is 
also common that private individuals pretend to be police officers by wearing 
uniforms and/or using insignia in perpetrating serious crimes like kidnapping, 
robbery or even murder to avoid resistance from the victims. 
Such falsities or mispresentations as defined in the aforementioned 
Revised Penal Code provision, should be treated more seriously by providing a 
heavier penalty. Presently, the penalty imposable is only arresto mayor. This 
means that any person found to be violating this provision may suffer only a 
possible imprisonment of ONE MONTH AND ONE DAY TO SIX MONTHS. 
The author submits that the penalty imposable if not commensurate to the 
kind of offense committed and the damage that may be incurred to the victim, 
especially if the perpetrator is a public official. 
This bill seeks to amend Article 179 of the Revised Penal Code (Republic 
Act No. 3815, as amended) by increasing the penalty provided thereof to prision 
mayor in its minimum and medium periods. However, if the offender is a public 
official, the penalty to be imposed shall be prision mayor in its maximum period. 
In the light of the foregoing considerations, passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
Senator 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
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JUL -7 A9:17 
Senate Bill No. 522 
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INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
AMENDING ARTICLE 179 OF THE REVISED PENAL CODE (ACT NO. 3815 
AS AMENDED) BY INCREASING THE PENALTY PROVIDED THEREFOR 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Article 179 of the Revised Penal Code (Act No. 3815, as 
amended) is hereby amended to read as follows:. 
ART 179. Illegal use of uniforms and insignia. The 
penalty of (arresto mayor) PRISON MAYOR IN ITS MINIMUM 
AND MEDIUM PERIODS shall be imposed upon any person 
who shall publicly and improperly made of insignia, uniforms or 
dress pertaining to an office not held by such person or to a 
class of persons of which he is not a member, PROVIDED, 
THAT IF THE OFFENDER IS A PUBLIC OFFICIAL, THE 
PENALTY TO BE IMPOSED SHALL BE IN ITS MAXIMUM 
PERIOD. 
SEC. 2. 
Repealing Clause. 
All laws, decrees, ordinance, rules and 
regulations, executive or administrative orders, and other presidential issuance 
inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 3. 
Effectivity. This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
following its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,