SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SEN1l824 
S.No. ___ _ 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
AMENDING ARTICLES 204, 205, 206, AND 207 OF ACT NO. 3815 
OR THE PENAL CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
'1:> 
JUN -8 P4 :36 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 27 states: "The State shall maintain honesty 
and integrity in the public service and take positive and effective measures against graft 
and corruption." 
The proposed measure seeks to amend Articles 204, 205, 206, and 207 of the 
Penal Code in order to ensure the efficient and judicious administration of justice. Under 
the existing law, only judges are criminally held liable for knowingly rendering unjust 
decisions, orders, or resolutions. 
The inclusion of public officers exercising quasi-judicial functions as among those 
covered in the articles will therefore ensure that due process is afforded to every person 
undergoing criminal, civil, or administrative investigation. 
This bill is a consolidation of related bills submitted during the Eleventh Congress 
before the Committee on Constitutional Amendments, Revision of Codes and Laws, of 
which the undersigned chaired. l 
1 This bill was originally filed in the Thirteenth Congress, First Regular Session. 
1 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
S.No. 
2824 
) 
) 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
'15 
JUN -8 P 4 :36 
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AMENDING ARTICLES 204, 205, 206, AND 207 OF ACT NO. 3815 
OR THE PENAL CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House o/the Representative o/the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. Act No. 3815 or the Penal Code, Articles 204, 205, 206, and 207 are 
2 
amended as follows: 
3 
Article 204. 
Knowingly Rendering Unjust Judgment OR ORDER. 
4 
-
Any judge or OFFICER EXERCISING QUASI-JUDICIAL 
5 
FUNCTIONS and who knowingly render an unjust judgment OR ORDER 
6 
in any case OR MATTER submitted to him for decision OR 
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RESOLUTION IN FINAL DISPOSITION THEREOF, shall be 
8 
punished by prision mayor and perpetual absolute disqualification. 
9 
Article 205. Judgment OR ORDER Rendered Through Negligence. 
10 
-
Any judge OR OFFICER EXERCISING QUASI-JUDICIAL 
11 
FUNCTIONS who, by reason of inexcusable negligence or ignorance, 
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shall render a manifestly unjust judgment OR ORDER in any case or 
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matter submitted to him for decision OR RESOLUTION IN FINAL 
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DISPOSITION THEREOF, shall be punished by arresto mayor and 
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temporary special disqualification. 
16 
Article 206. Unjust Interlocutory Order. - Any judge OR OFFICER 
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EXERCISING QUASI-JUDICIAL FUNCTIONS who shall knowingly 
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render an unjust interlocutory order or decree shall suffer the penalty of 
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arresto mayor in its minimum period and suspension, but if he shall have 
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acted by reason of inexcusable negligence or ignorance and the 
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interlocutory order of decree be manifestly unjust, the penalty shall be 
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suspension. 
23 
Article 207. Malicious Delay in the Administration of Justice. - The 
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penalty of prision correccional in its minimum period shall he imposed 
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upon any judge OR OFFICER EXERCISING QUASI-JUDICIAL 
26 
FUNCTIONS guilty of malicious delay in the administration of justice. 
1 
4 


1 
SECTION 2. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or 
2 
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other 
3 
provisions hereof. 
4 
SECTION 3. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, and issuances, or 
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portions thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby 
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repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
7 
SECTION 4. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
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its pUblication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
Imat3June20 15 
2