THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHlLlPPlNES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
S.8. No. 
I 
Introduced by Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The elements of the crime punishable under Article 179 of the Revised Penal 
Code {Act No. 3815, as amended) are the following: 
a) 
b) 
That the offender makes use of insignia, uniformor dress. 
That the insignia, uniform or dress pertains to an office nor head by the 
offender or to a class of persons of which he is not a member. 
That side insignia, uniform or dress is used publicly and improperly. 
c) 
As stated in another bill filed by this author seeking to amend Article 177 of the 
Revised Penal Code, our poor or uneducated countrymen are the usual victims of the 
violation of the particular penal provision. 
Not a few come to the author’s office 
complaining that persons, wearing uniforms and/or using insignia pretending to be 
police officers, accosted and extorted money from them. It is also common that private 
individuals pretend to be police officers by wearing uniforms andlor using insignia in 
perpetrating serious crimes like kidnapping, robbery or even murder to avoid resistance 
from the victims. 
Such falsities or misrepresentations as defined in the aforementioned Revised 
Penal Code provision, should be treated more seriously by prqviding a heavier penalty. 
Presently, the penalty imposable is 
arresfo mayor. This means that any person 
found to be violating this provision may suffer only a possible imprisonment of ONE 
MONTH AND ONE DAY to SIX MONTHS. 
The author submits that the penalty imposable if not commensurate to the kind of 
offense committed and the damage that may be incurred to the victim, especially if the 
perpetrator is a public official. 


This bill seeks to amend Article 179 of the Revised Penal Code (Republic Act No. 
3815, as amended) by increasing the penalty provided therefor to prision mayor in its 
minimum and medium periods. However, if the offender is a public official, the penalty 
to be imposed shall be prision mayor in its maximum period. 
In the light of the foregoing considerations, passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
4 
GGO EJERCITO ESTRADA 


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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
I 
"04 JUN 30 p?O 35 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
S.B. No. 
Introduced by Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada 
AN ACT 
AMENDING ARTICLE 179 OF THE REVISED PENAL CODE (ACT No. 3815 
AMENDED ) BY INCREASING THE PENALTY PROVIDED THEREFOR 
AND FOR OTHER URPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate of the Philippines and the House of Representatives 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION I. 
Article 179 of the Revised Penal Code (Act No. 381 5, as amended) 
is hereby amended to read as follows: 
ART. 179. Illegal uselof uniforms or insignia - The penalty of (arrest0 
mayor) PRlSlON MAYOR IN ITS MINIMUM AND MEDIUM PERIODS shall be 
imposed upon any person who shall publicly and improperly made of insignia, 
uniforms or dress pertainin$ to an office not held by such person or to a class of 
persons of which he is not a member, PROVIDED, THAT IF THE OFFENDER 
IS A PUBLIC OFFICIAL, THE PENALTY TO BE IMPOSED SHALL BE IN ITS 
MAXIMUM PERIOD. 
SECTION 2. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, ordinance, rules and 
regulations, executive or administrative orders, and other presidential issuance 
inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 3. BYectivjfy. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days 
following its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved.