TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
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25 AUG -5 P3 54
S. No.
SENATE
933
Introduced by Senator 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
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, uniform 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.
The 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 misrepresentation as defined in the 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 
(1) month and one (1) day to six (6) months.
The penalty imposable is 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\n its maximum period.
I am refiling this measure which I earlier submitted during the previous 
Congresses.
The passage of this legislation is earnestly sought.
[NG<SOY EJERCITO ESTRADA


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:
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE 
S. No. 933
Introduced by Senator 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:
1 
Section 1. Article 179 of the Revised Penal Code (Act No. 3815, as amended)
2 
is hereby amended to read as follows:
3 
"ART 179. Illegal use of uniforms and Insignia. The
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penalty of [arrcsto mayor} PRISION MAYOR IN ITS
5 
MINIMUM AND MEDIUM PERIODS shall be imposed
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upon any person who shall publicly and improperly made of
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insignia, uniforms or dress pertaining to an office not held by
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such person or to a class of persons of which [be] THE
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PERSON is not a member: PROVIDED, THAT IF THE
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OFFENDER IS A PUBLIC OFFICIAL, THE PENALTY TO
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BE IMPOSED SHALL BE IN ITS MAXIMUM PERIOD."
12 
Sec. 2. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
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unconstitutional, the remaining provision not affected thereby shall continue to be in
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full force and effect.
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Sec. 3. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders or regulations or part
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thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.


1 
Sec. 4. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following the
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completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of
3 
general circulation.
Approved,