Reeble of the Philip
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
wesan City
MLROW
Queen City

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Sine.

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
‘Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 8583

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT
IMPOSING HIGHER PENALTIES FOR VEHICULAR ACCIDENT

The Penal Code, Article 365, on imprudence and negligence is the law which governs
vehicular accidents resulting in damage to persons and to property, or both.

Due to the frequency of vehicular incidents, judges all over the country have voiced the

This bill increases the penalty from arresto mayor in its maximum period to prison
correccional in its maximum period as the minimum penalty and death as the maximum
penalty. It also changes the presumption of negligence to one of malice or intent. Since
this bill provides that the provisional remedy of attachment shall only be resorted to when
both the offender and the person responsible for such offender are insolvent, the
imposition of higher civil penalties thereof, is favored over the provisional remedy of
attachment since victims are usually in need of immediate cash for hospitalization and
medical expenses and it takes a long time for a victim to recover under the remedy of

attachment.
LUIS eee . VILLAFUERTE, JR.

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Reeblec oft fo, Philipines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 8583

Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.
—

AN ACT
IMPOSING HIGHER PENALTIES FOR VEHICULAR ACCIDENT

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Vehicle Accidents Act.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of State Policy. — The laws on transportation were enacted to
promote public safety and to punish violators. Towards this end, when the laws are no
longer adequate to protect the public, the State shall ensure through the imposition of
stiffer penalties that vehicular drivers who are guilty of intentionally causing damage to
persons and property or are guilty of grossly irresponsible and unlawful behavior are
punished accordingly.

SECTION 3. Vehicular Incidents, Penalties. — Any person who shall commit any act
resulting in physical injuries or death and/or damage to property on account of a
vehicular incident, shall suffer the penalty of prison mayor in its maximum period to
death.

Unless proven otherwise, it shall be presumed that any act which causes damage to
person and/or property under this section was done maliciously and with intent.

Prison mayor in its maximum shall be imposed upon the offender who fails to lend on the
spot to the injured parties such help as may be in his hand to give.

ECTION 4. C S. — When the execution of the Act covered by this aiticle
shall have only resulted in damage to the property of another, the offender shall be
punished by a fine ranging from an amount equal to the value of said damages to three
times such value, but which in no case shall be less than ten thousand pesos (P10,



000.00).

The provisional remedy of attachment of vehicle shall only be imposed when the
offender and/or the person who has supervision or control over the offender are
insolvent.

Section 5. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law of the provision not otherwise affected shall
remain valid and subsisting.

Section 6. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order,
letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, or inconsistent
with, the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accord.

Section 7. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) newspaper of general circulation

Approved,