THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Sessi0.n 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR, JR. 
EXPLANATORYNOTE 
The Local Government Code authorizes the Lupong Tagapamayapa to amicably 
settle minor criminal cases where the penalty does not exceed one (1) year 
imprisonment. 
This bill aims to expand the scope of the said policy, through the Department of 
Justice, involving offenses punishable by a maximum penalty of one (1) year and/or a 
fine not exceeding Five Thousand Pesos (P5,OOO.OO). 
With this proposed measure, it is hoped that the court dockets will be de- 
clogged, enabling the judiciary to focus on graver offenses and to give the contending 
parties a final opportunity to settle differences before deciding to bring it to court. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought. 


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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 
INTRODUCED BY HON. MANUEL B. VILLAR, JR. 
AN ACT 
GRANTING THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE THE AUTHORITY TO SETTLE MINOR 
CRIMINAL OFFENSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. The Department of Justice (DOJ) through the Office of the Chief 
State Prosecutor shall have the authority to bring together the parties before them and 
settle their cases provided that the subject criminal offenses are minor in character as 
hereinafter defined. 
SECTION 2. Minor criminal offenses shall mean those offenses punishable by 
imprisonment not exceeding one (1) year and/or a fine not exceeding Five Thousand 
Pesos (P5,OOO.OO). 
SECTION 3. The authority of the DOJ to settle minor criminal offenses shall 
include those cases not settled by the Lupong Tagapamayapa or the Barangay Court; 
Provided however, that the authority of the DOJ herein given shall not include any 
offenses under the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972 (Republic Act No. 6425, as amended) 
and the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination 
Act (Republic Act No. 7610). 
Minor cases that have already been filed in court but have not yet been decided 
by the trial courts are not covered by this Act; however, on-going preliminary 
investigation of minor offenses shall not be covered under this Act. Moreover, the 
prescriptive period of minor offenses shall be suspended to enable the parties to settle 
the matter as herein provided. 
SECTION 4. The DOJ shall notify in writing the parties concerned, setting forth 
the date and time and purpose of the meeting. The parties are not prohibited from 
bringing their respective counsels if they so desire. 


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SECTION 5. The settlement shall be in writing, signed under oath by all the 
parties, with the assistance of counsels, as the case may be. 
SECTION 6. The settlement shall be deemed final from the date of signing and 
shall automatically extinguish the criminal and/or civil liability of the accused upon 
compliance with the terms of the agreement. 
SECTION 7. Failure to reach a settlement within thirty (30) working days from 
the time the parties met with the DOJ representatives or to comply with the terms of 
the settlement within the time frame set therein, or within a reasonable time if no 
such time frame was included in the settlement, 
the proceeding of the case. 
shall result in the RESUMPTION of 
SECTION 8. The DOJ shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary in the 
implementation of this Act. 
SECTION 9. All laws, decrees, orders inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed 
or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 10. This Act takes effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,