SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 1983 
) 
) 
) 
'13 
IIlV 27 P 3 :31 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution affirms the principle that the maintenance of peace and 
order, the protection of life, liberty and property, and the promotion of the general 
welfare are essential for the enjoyment by all the people of tile blessings of 
democracy. 
Dereliction of duty by a public officer through abetting the escape of a 
prisoner, however, is both a circumvention and a negation of this Constitutional 
provision. 
In view thereof, this bill seeks to amend Article 223 of the Revised Penal 
Code by imposing penalties on any public officer who, without proper court order 
or authorization, releases a prisoner and later allows him to return to his 
detention cell, or consents to or connives ill the escape of a prisoner under his 
custody or charge. 
Approval of this bill is therefore earnestly requested. 
t (-
Senator 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. ·1983 
) 
) 
) 
'13 
NOV 27 P 3:31 
RECEIVED In :~r . 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
PENALIZING PUBLIC OFFICERS FOR RELEASING PRISONERS IN ORDER 
TO COMMIT A CRIME AND ALLOWING THEM TO RETURN TO PRISON, 
AND FOR THIS PURPOSE AMENDING ARTICLE 223 OF THE REVISED 
PENAL CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Article 223 of the Revised Penal Code is hereby amended to 
read as follows: 
"ART. 223. Conniving With or Consenting to Evasion. - Any 
public 
officer 
who, 
WITHOUT 
COURT 
ORDER 
OR 
AUTHORIZATION, SHALL RELEASE A PRISONER AND ALLOW 
HIM TO RETURN TO PRISON OR DETENTION OR shall consent 
to the escape of a prisoner in his custody or charge, shall be 
punished: 
(1) 
By prison correctional in its medium and maximum 
periods and temporary special disqualifications in 
its 
maximum 
period 
to 
perpetual 
special 
disqualification, if the fugitive shall have been 
sentenced by final judgment to any penalty. 
(2) 
By prison correctional in its [minimum) MAXIMUM 
period and temporary special disqualification, in 
case the fugitive shall not have been finally 
convicted but only held as a detention prisoner for 
any crime or violation of law or municipal 
ordinance. 
(3) 
BY PRISON MAYOR IN ITS MAXIMUM PERIOD 
AND 
PERPETUAL 
ABSOLUTE 
DISQUALIFICATION IN CASE THE PRISONER 
COMMITTED AN 
OFFENSE OUTSIDE THE 
PRISON OR DETENTION CENTER." 


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 provisions 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 at least two {2} newspapers of general circul,ation. 
Approved,