FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
s.No.2651 
'11 
JAN 24 P 5 :34 
Introduced by Senator FRANC~S G, ESCUDERO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Carnapping is a criminal offense that is"oftentimes committed with great 
ease and success. In fact, the use of a stolen vehicle serves as a means of 
committing other crimes such as robbery, murder and kidnapping. And sadly, 
the current law that seeks to address carnapping proves insufficient, if not 
inutile. 
Republic Act No. 6539 or the Anti-Carnappping Act of 1972 defines the 
crime of carnapping. However, the penalty prescribed therefor in relation to 
Section 13, Article IIP of the Constitution, entitles an accused to post bail as a 
matter right. Consequently, carnapping is viewed as a less serious crime, which 
may be done repeatedly in the absence of immediate incarceration upon 
indictment and pending trial of the accused. 
Albeit, there is a graduation of penalties 'under Section 142 of the said law, 
the act of carnapping per se is punishable "by imprisonment for not less than 
fourteen years and eight months and not more than seventeen years and four 
months, when the carnapping is committed without violence or intimidation of 
persons, or force upon things." As such, it fallg short of the minimum period for 
reclusion perpetua, which is at least twenty years and one day, for the first 
1 All persons, except those charged with offenses punishable by reclusion perpetun when 
evidence of guilt is st1"Ong, shall, before conviction, be bailable by sufficient sureties, or 
be released on recognizance as may be provided by law. The right to bail shall not be 
impaired even when the privilege o{ the Wlit of habeas corpus is suspended. Excessive 
bail shall not be required. 
2 Penally Jor Camapping. Any person who is found guilty of carnapping, as this term is 
defined in Section two of this Act. shall, irrespective of the value o{ motor vehicle taken, 
be punished by imprisolIDlent {or not less than fourteen years and eight months and not 
more than seventeen years and four months, when the carnapping is committed without 
violence or intimidation of persons, or force upon things; and by imprisonment for not 
less than seventeen years and four months and not more than thirty years, when the 
carnapping is committed by means of violence against or intimidation of any person, or 
force upon things; and the penalty of life imprisonment to death shall be imposed when 
the owner, driver or occupant of the carnapped motor vehicle is killed in the 
commission of the carnapping. 


requisite to deny bail as a right under the abovecited constitutional provision to 
be present. 
It is thus submitted that the penalty be increased by making twenty years 
and one day the minimum penalty imposable for the crime of cm"napping 
thereby satisfying the period covered by reclusion perpetua.3 
In view of the foregoing, this bill is being advanced for study and 
deliberation. And accordingly, its approval. 
FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 
3 Twenty years and one day to forty years. Article 27, Revised Penal Code. 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
') 
SENATE' 
s.No.2651 
.;ie1'1I1tl.' 
{!!lffo" of I~,.}>""!.,,U 
'11 
JAN 24 P 5 :34 
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 
AN ACT 
INCREASING 
THE 
PENALTY 
FOR 
THE 
CRIME 
OF 
CARNAPPING AMENDING FOR THAT PURPOSE SECTION 14 
OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6539 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. Section 14 of Republic Act No. 6539 is hereby amended to 
2 
read as follows: 
3 
4 
"Section 14. Penalty for Carnapping. Any person who is found guilty of 
5 
carnapping, as this term is defined in Section two of this Act, shall, irrespective of the 
6 
value of motor vehicle taken, be punished by imprisonment for not less than TWENTY 
7 
YEARS AND ONE DAY [fourteen years and eight monthsJ and not more than 
8 
THIRTY YEARS [seventeen years and four months], when the carnapping is committed 
9 
without violence or intimidation of persons, or force upon things; and by imprisonment 
10 
for not less than THIRTY YEARS AND ONE DAy [seventeen years and four months] 
11 
and not more than FORTY YEARS [thirty years], ruhen the carnapping is committed by 
12 
means of violence against or intimidation of any person, or force upon things; and the 
13 
penalty of life imprisonment to death shall be imposed when the owner, driver or 
14 
occupant of the carnapped motor vehicle is killed in the commission of the carnapping. 
15 
ANY PERSON CHARGED WITH CARNAPPING AS PENALIZED 
16 
HEREOF SHALL BE DENIED BAIL WHEN EVIDENCE OF GUILT IS 
17 
STRONG." 
' 
18 
SEC. 2. 
All 
laws, 
presidential' 
decrees, 
executive 
orders, 
19 
proclamations and/ or administrative regulations which are inconsistent with the 
20 
provisions of this Act are hereby amended, modified, superseded or repealed 
21 
accordingly. 
, 
22 
SEC. 3. 
Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
23 
from its publication in the Official Gazette or at least three (3) newspapers of 
24 
national circulation. 
25 
Approved,