FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
First Regular Session 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
SENATE 
S.No. 1.510 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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. 
This bill is a product of the public hearings conducted by the Committee on 
Constitutional Amendments, Revision of Codes and Laws during the Tenth Congress.* 
* This bill was re-filed during the Thirteenth Congress, First Regular Session. 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
First Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
S. No. '%.SI0 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
AMENDING ACT NO. 38 15, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PENAL 
CODE, ARTICLE 3 10, 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 
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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 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. ESfectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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