Fifteenth Congress of the Republic 
Of the Philippines 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 2637 
'11 
J~N 17 P 4 :01 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Since the fall of the Marcos' dictatorship, and our consequent reacquaintance with 
democracy, our country has slowly begun abusing its new-found freedom. It seems we are now 
quick to point the accusing finger at public officers, sometimes intentionally accusing them of 
false criminal and administrative charges, indifferent to the repercussions such an act could 
create. 
It is great that our country's public officials now are no longer deemed as "untouchables" 
in the eye of the public. Their constituents now have the right and the power to blow the whistle 
on public officers who abuse their powers and are involved in illegal acts. This keeps these 
officials in check and on their toes. What the people should learn to realize though, is that just as 
the public servants must be responsible in using their powers, they too must be careful of their 
freedom. 
To date, there are no means with which to protect public officials from individuals 
bringing malicious accusations at them, yet the Revised Penal Code provides aggravated 
criminal liability for any public officer found taking advantage of his position. There should be a 
counter-balance to this law, otherwise anyone can just falsely accuse a public official of a crime 
without fear of prosecution except for a counter-suit. And in such cases, the defendant, being a 
public officer, will have to suffer loss of integrity (which he may never regain regardless of the 
outcome of the case). More importantly, the public official may be hindered from doing his 
duties competently. 
' 
In the end it is the public who ultimately suffers. It is a waste of the government's time 
and money to investigate these false accusations only to dismiss them later on, This bill punishes 
false accusers of government officials so that it may serve as a deterrent to the former, who may 
use the complaint to disparage and embarrass the later. 
Hence, the passage of this bill is immediately sought. 
NG REVILLA, JR. 


Fifteenth Congress of the Republic 
Of the Philippines 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
S.B.No. 2637 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
'11 
JAN 17 P 4 :01 
AN ACT DECLARING THE FILING OF FALSE COMPLAINTS AGAINST 
PUBLIC OFFICERS AS A CRIME AGAINST HONOR, PRESCRIBING 
PENALTIES THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Phdlppznes in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Declaration of State Policy and Principles. - It shall be the policy of the 
State to preserve the honor and integrity of its public servants. The State therefore declares the 
deliberate filing of false complaints against a public officer inimical to public interest and 
hinders public service. To this end, the State shall institute measures to ensure that anyone found 
guilty of filing a false complaint against a public officer shall be contained and penalized. 
SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. -Under this Act: 
a. "Public Officer" refers to a person whose duties, not being of a clerical or manual 
nature, involves the exercise of discretion in the performance of the functions of the 
government. When used with reference to a person having authority to do a partiCUlar 
act or perform a particular function in the exercise of government power, "officer" 
includes any government employee, agent or body having authority to do the act or 
exercise that function. 
b. "Government" refers to the corporate governmental entity through which the 
functions of the government are exercised throughout the Philippines, including, save 
as the contrary appears from the context, the various arms through which political 
authority is made effective in the Philippines, whether pertaining to the autonomous 
regions, the provincial, city, municipal or barangay subdivisions or other forms of 
local government. 
c. "Honor" a person of superior standing, used ·especially as a title for a holder of high 
office. 
d. "Complaint" shall refer to a sworn written statement charging a person with an 
offense, subscribed by the offended party, any peace officer or the republic officer 
charged with the enforcement ofthe law violated. 
SECTION 3. Punishment. - A person who knowingly files a false complaint against a 
public officer of a government agency or any of its subsidiaries including local government units 
shall suffer the penalty of prision mayor in its minimum to its medium period and pay a fine of 
fifty thousand pesos (P 50,000.00) or both at the discretion of the court. 
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If during the course of the investigation or trial it is proven that the false complaint was 
used by the accuser as a leverage against the public officer in order to gain advantage in a 
government contract or to receive a favourable decision or resolution in an ongoing dispute, 
controversy or matter where the latter is the governing authority, the former shall suffer a penalty 
of prision mayor in its minimum to its maximum period and pay a fine of one hundred thousand 
pesos or both at the discretion of the court, 
SECTION 4. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid by a 
competent court, the remainder of this Act or any provi'sion not affected by such declaration of 
invalidity shall remain in force and effect 
SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, other 
executive issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof are hereby repealed amended or 
modified accordingly, 
SECTION 6. Effectivity - This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved 
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