Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
AN ACT 
AMENDING ACT NO. 3815, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
PENAL CODE, ARTICLE 310, TO INCREASE THE PENALTIES IN CERTAIN 
INSTANCES OF QUALIFIED THEFT   
This bill seeks to amend Act No. 3815, otherwise known as the Penal Code, Chapter 
3, Article 310, by increasing the penalties for certain instances of qualified theft. The 
reason for the increase of penalty for certain cases of qualified theft is found in the 
debased form of criminality met in one who, in the midst of a great calamity, instead of 
lending aid to the afflicted, adds to their suffering by taking advantage of their 
misfortune to despoil them. 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
9118
March 23, 2021
1:13 PM


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
AN ACT 
AMENDING ACT NO. 3815, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
PENAL CODE, ARTICLE 310, TO INCREASE THE PENALTIES IN CERTAIN 
INSTANCES OF QUALIFIED THEFT  
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Article 310, Chapter 3 of Republic Act No. 3815, as amended, otherwise 
known as the Penal Code, is hereby further amended to read as follows: 
“ART. 310. Qualified Theft. – The crime of theft shall be punished by the penalties 
next higher by two degrees than those respectively specified in the next preceding 
articles, if committed by a domestic servant, or with grave abuse of confidence, or if 
the property stolen is a motor vehicle, mail matter or large cattle or consists of 
coconut taken from the premises of the plantation or fish taken from a fishpond or 
fishery. 
THE PENALTY OF RECLUSION TEMPORAL IN ITS MAXIMUM PERIOD TO 
RECLUSION PERPETUA SHALL BE IMPOSED IF THE PROPERTY IS TAKEN ON 
THE OCCASION OF THE FOLLOWING OR IMMEDIATELY THEREAFTER: 
A) FIRE, EARTHQUAKE, TYPHOON, VOLCANIC ERUPTION, FLOODS, OR ANY 
OTHER CALAMITY NATURAL OR MAN-MADE;
B) CIVIL DISRUPTION OR DISTURBANCE, PUBLIC WANT OR EMERGENCY; 
AND
C) ACCIDENTS INVOLVING LAND, SEA, AIR AND TRANSPORT.  THE PENALTY 
SHALL ALSO APPLY IF THE PROPERTY IS TAKEN FROM A VICTIM OF A CRIME 
COMMITTED BY ANOTHER, OR FROM PERSONS IN DISTRESS.
THE PENALTY OF RECLUSION PERPETUA SHALL BE IMPOSED IF THE 
OFFENDER IS A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENT OR OFFICER; A BARANGAY 
OFFICIAL, IF SUCH HAPPENS IN HIS JURISDICTION; A FIREMAN OF THE 
9118


 
 
BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION AND OF OTHER CIVIL ORGANIZATIONS 
EXERCISING THE SAME FUNCTIONS AND ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT 
OFFICIAL OR EMPLOYEE ENTRUSTED WITH A DUTY TO RENDER ASSISTANCE 
ON THE FOREGOING OCCURRENCES.” 
 
SECTION 2. Repealing Clause. – Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, or 
inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly. 
 
SECTION 3. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,