Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. i512

INTRODUCED BY HON. MARCELINO R. TEODORO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The proposal seeks to provide stiffer penalties for theft, robbery, vandalism or
destruction of public school properties.

Given the problems plaguing the Philippine educational system, like classroom
shortage, insufficient textbooks, other educational materials and facilities, and dismal
teacher-student ratio due mainly to lack of appropriate funding from the national
government, it is just proper to enact legislation that would protect the scarce resources
of public schools in the country.

The measure, specifically, proposes to (1) impose a higher penalty for theft or
robbery under Chapters 1 and 3 of Title 10 of the Revised Penal Code when the object
of the crime is a school property; (2) provide the definition of destructive arson the
burning of a public schoo! building which under Article 320 of the Revised Penal Code is
punishable by reclusion perpetua; (3) provide that the destruction of property not
covered by the other provisions of the Act shall be considered as a Special Case of
Malicious Mischief under Article 328 of the Revised Penal Code punishable by prision
correctional its minimum and medium periods, if the value of the damage caused
exceeds 1,000 pesos, arresto mayor, if such value does not exceed the abovementioned
amount but is over 200 pesos, and by arresto menor, if such value does not exceed 200
pesos; and (4) ia penalty higher by one degree than provided in Revised Penal Code
when the object of malicious mischief (under Article 328 of the Revised Penal Code) or
other malicious acts (under Article 329 of the Revised Penal Code) is a school property.

In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

5
/
/ —
[et (ecb
MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO,

Representative, 1°* District
City of Marikina


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

512.
House Bill No,__ L512

INTRODUCED BY HON. MARCELINO R. TEODORO.

AN ACT
PROVIDING STIFFER PENALTIES FOR ROBBERY, THEFT AND
DESTRUCTION OF PUBLIC SCHOOL PROPERTY

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

SECTION 1. Short Title— This Act shall be known as the “Public School
Security Act of 2010".

SEC. 2. Definition. -

(a) “School property’ refers to all buildings, grounds and other property, real
or personal, which belong to a public school, whether the property is
acquired through public funds, loans, donations or lease.

(b) “Public school” refers to all State-owned schools, colleges and
universities.

SEC. 3. Theft or Robbery of School Property; Penalty. - Any person
convicted of the crime of theft or robbery of any school property shall be punished
by the penalty next higher in degree than those imposable for such offenses under
Chapters One and Three of Title Ten of the Revised Penal Code: Provided, That
the penalty specified herein shall no longer be made applicable if the imposable
penalty is in its maximum period.

SEC. 4. Destruction of School Property; Penalty. — A public school building
shall be considered a building of public ownership devoted to the use of the public
in general under Article 320 of the Revised Penal Code. Any person who shall burn
a public school building shall be convicted of the crime of destructive arson as
defined in Article 320 of the Revised Penal Code.

SEC. 5. Special Case of Malicious Mischief; Penalty. - Destruction to
school property not covered by the immediately preceding sections shall be
considered a special case of malicious mischief under Chapter Nine of Title Ten of
the Revised Penal Code. Any person who shall cause damage to school property
shall be punished with the penalty next higher in degree than those imposable
under Articles 328 and 329 of the Revised Penal Code.

SEC. 6. Penalty for Public Officials. — \f the person convicted of the crimes
referred to in this Act is a public official as defined in Republic Act No. 6713 or the
Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, the


the additional penalty of perpetual disqualification from public office shall be
imposed. Conviction of a public officer under this Act is without prejudice to
criminal prosecution and/or administrative proceedings under applicable civil
service laws and regulations, Republic Act No. 6713, and Republic Act No. 3019
or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules and
regulations or other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 8. Separability Clause. — If any portion of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected thereby
shall remain in force and effect.

SEC. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days
following the completion of its publication either in the Official Gazette or in a
newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines.

Approved,