Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 738

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill reenacts House Bill No. 1641 which has been approved by
the 14" Congress of the House of Representatives on 08 September 2009
and has been transmitted to the Senate on same date. It has been
received by the Senate on 15 September 2009.

The new and heightened sense of history and national identity
which has been achieved in this country has not been without adverse
side effects. One of the most deplorable is the theft of religious icons and
cultural objects or artifacts from churches, temples and museums all over
the country by criminal elements who have found a new and lucrative
market among equally unscrupulous dealers and middlemen in these
objects.

This type of larceny threatens the gains attained in establishing our
people’s links to it’s past. Where religious objects are stolen, it also
outrages our people’s sense of the sacred and the holy.

The theft of these objects and, likewise of cultural artifacts and
artistic works, which constitute the finest expressions of our art, culture,
traditions, and way of life, has aroused national indignation. This national
indignation should find corresponding utterance in our criminal laws.

It is for this reason that it is here proposed that the penalty
imposable on crimes involving the unlawful taking of religious and
cultural objects from churches, temples and museums should be higher
by two degrees than the penalty imposed for theft or robbery.

From the viewpoint of public policy and penology, such a measure
is justifiable on the following grounds:

1. Theft or robbery, involving the unlawful taking of these
objects from churches and museums, demonstrates a
higher degree of perversity on the part of the offenders.


2. Museums and churches are open to the public and the
objects frequently stolen from them are invariably openly
displayed. They are also comparatively less well guarded
than other public places because stringent security
measures are sometimes incompatible with their very
nature, not to mention the fact that they are not usually
financially equipped to provide an elaborate security
system. It is therefore relatively easier to gain entry to
these places and to obtain access to the valuable objects
on display in their premises.

3. The preservation of our religious and cultural heritage
embodied in religious statues and cultural objects and
artifacts is a matter of national concern.

On these grounds, therefore, the adoption of the measure erein
proposed is most strongly urged.

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LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE


8

‘Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BILi'no. 738

Introduced by HONORABLE LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE

AN ACT TO INCREASE THE PENALTY FOR THEFT OR ROBBERY
COMMITTED WITHIN THE PREMISES OF CHURCHES, TEMPLES
AND MUSEUMS

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

SECTION1. The penalty to be imposed for theft or robbery
committed within any church, temple or public museum shall be higher
by two (2) degrees than that imposable for such offenses under existing
law.

Sec. 2. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,