Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

" 15™ CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2977

Introduced by REP. SALVADOR H. ESCUDERO IIL

EXPLANATORY NOTE

To date, there are no means with which to protect public officials from individuals
bringing malicious accusations at them, yet the Revised Penal Code provides aggravated
criminal liability for any public officer found taking advantage of his position. There: should
be a counter-balance to this law, otherwise anyone can just falsely accuse a public official of
a crime without fear of prosecution except for a counter-suit. Moreover and in such cases, the
defendant, being a public officer, will have to suffer loss of integrity (which he may never
regain regardless of the outcome of the case). More importantly, the public official may be
hindered from doing his duties competently.

In the end it is the public who ultimately suffers. It is a waste of the government's
time and money to investigate these false accusations only to dismiss them later on. This bill
punishes false accusers of government officials so that it may serve as a deterrent to the
former, who may use the complaint to disparage and embarrass the later.

Hence, the passage of this bill is immediately sought.

eE
SALVADOR H. ESCUDERO III
Representative
1* District, Sorsogon



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

15" CONGRESS
t Regular Session

nouse BiLLNo.__2977

Introduced by REP. SALVADOR H. ESCUDERO IIL

AN ACT.
AMENDING ARTICLE 359 OF ACT NO. 3815, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE REVISED PENAL CODE

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

SECTION 1. Article 359 of Act No. 3815, as amended, is further amended to read as
follows:

“Art. 359. Slander by deed. — The penalty of [arresto mayor in its maximum]
PRISION MAYOR IN ITS MINIMUM period to [prision correccional in its
minimum] ITS MAXIMUM period or a fine [ranging from 200 to 1,000
pesos] OF 100,000 PESOS, OR BOTH, shall be imposed upon any person
who shall perform any act not included and punished in this title, which shall
cast dishonor, discredit, or contempt upon another person, SUCH AS, BUT
NOT LIMITED TO, THE INTENTIONAL FILING OF A FALSE
COMPLAINT IN COURT OR IN ANY OTHER AGENCIES OF
GOVERNMENT EXERCISING — QUASI-JUDICIAL. OR
ADMINISTRATIVE POWERS. If said act is not of a serious nature, the
penalty shall be [arresto menor] PRISION MAYOR IN ITS MINIMUM TO
ITS MEDIUM PERIOD or a fine [not exceeding 200 pesos] OF 50,000
PESOS.

IF DURING THE COURSE OF THE INVESTIGATION OR
TRIAL IT IS PROVEN THAT THE ABOVE FALSE COMPLAINT
HAS BEEN OR IS BEING USED BY THE COMPLAINANT AS A
o AGAINST ANY PERSON IN ORDER TO GAIN
ADVANTAGE OR TO RECEIVE A FAVORABLE DECISION,
ACTION OR RESOLUTION ON ANY MATTER, THE MAXIMUM
PENALTY PROVIDED HEREIN SHALL BE IMPOSED.”



SEC. 2. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid by a
competent court, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected by such declaration
of invalidity shall remain in force and effect.

SEC.3. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, other
executive issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof are hereby repealed amended or
modified accordingly.

(C 4. Effectivity - This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,