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Republic of the Philippines (> RECEIVED Z|
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Nineteenth Congress
Third Regular Session

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HOUSE BILL NO. 16685

Introduced by Representative MA. VICTORIA CO-PILAR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Since 1978, the Philippine government adheres to the system of amicably settling disputes at the
barangay level. This is evidenced by the enactment of Presidential Decree 1508 (PD 1508) signed by
then President Ferdinand Marcos under which the Lupon Tagapamayapa was created to resolve
conflicts between parties residing in the same city or municipality.

Forty-six (46) years later, PD 1508 was repealed by Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government
Code (LGC) wherein the title “Katarungang Pambarangay” (KP Law) was used in Chapter VII. The
cases covered by the KP Law became more comprehensive due to the expansion of the enumerated
exceptions on the subject matter for amicable settlement provided in Section 408.

In item (c) of Section 408, offenses punished by imprisonment exceeding one (1) year or a fine
exceeding five thousand (5,000) pesos is no longer covered by the mandatory conciliation at the
barangay level. These are adjusted values from the thirty (30) days imprisonment and two hundred
(200) pesos fine provided by PD 1508.

With this proposed measure, the fine is sought to be adjusted from 5,000 pesos to forty thousand
(40,000) pesos in view of the enactment of Republic Act 10951 adjusting the amount or the value of
property and damage on which a penalty is based, and the fines imposed under the revised penal code.
The adjustment is imperative considering the effectiveness of the KP Law in resolving community
conflicts by providing a local mechanism for dispute resolution.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Nineteenth Congress
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.1G685

Introduced by Representative MA. VICTORIA CO-PILAR

AN ACT
EXPANDING THE CASES COVERED BY THE KATARUNGANG PAMBARANGAY
THEREBY AMENDING SECTION 408(c) OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160 OTHERWISE KNOWN
AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 408 (C) of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local
Government Code of 1991 is hereby amended to read as follows:

(©) Offenses punishable by imprisonment exceeding one (1) year or a fine exceeding Five

thousand pesos {P5,000.00) FORTY THOUSAND PESOS (P40,000.00);

SEC 2. Separability Clause - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or unconstitutional,
the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting,

SEC 3. Repealing Clause - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, letter of
instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the provision of

this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

SEC 4. Effectivity Clause - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,