NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 2149
23 HAY-9 A 8:48
RlTEIVtQ BV:
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
AMENDING ARTICLE 179 OF THE REVISED PENAL CODE (ACT NO. 3815, 
AS AMENDED) BY INCREASING THE PENALTY PROVIDED THEREFOR AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
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) That the offender makes use of insignia, uniform or dress.
b) 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.
c) That side insignia, uniform or dress is used publicly and improperly.
The poor 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 and/or using insignia in 
perpetrating serious crimes like kidnapping, robbery or even murder to avoid 
resistance from the victims.
Such falsities or misrepresentation as defined in the aforementioned Revised 
Penal Code provision, should be treated more seriously by providing a heavier 
penalty. Presently, the penalty imposable is only arresto 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 is 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 thereof 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 \n its maximum period.
I am refiling this measure which I earlier submitted during the previous 
Congresses.
The passage of this legislation is earnestly sought.
NGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
s. No. 2149
of tl’C uftt;rp
23 MAY-9 A 8:48
RBCEIVED BV.
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
AMENDING ARTICLE 179 OF THE REVISED PENAL CODE (ACT NO. 3815, 
AS AMENDED) BY INCREASING THE PENALTY PROVIDED THEREFOR AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Article 179 of the Revised Penal Code (Act No. 3815, as amended)
2 
is hereby amended to read as follows:
3 
"ART 179. Illegal use of uniforms and insignia. The penalty of
4 
[arrcsto mayor] PRISION MAYOR IN ITS MINIMUM AND MEDIUM
5 
PERIODS shall be imposed upon any person who shall publicly and
6 
improperly made of insignia, uniforms or dress pertaining to an office not
7 
held by such person or to a class of persons of which [be] THE
8 
PERSON is not a member, PROVIDED, THAT IF THE OFFENDER IS
9 
A PUBLIC OFFICIAL, THE PENALTY TO BE IMPOSED SHALL BE IN
10 
ITS MAXIMUM PERIOD."
11 
Sec. 2. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
12 
unconstitutional, the remaining provision not affected thereby shall continue to be in
13 
full force and effect.
14 
Sec. 3. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders or regulations or part
15 
thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.


1 
Sec. 4. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following the
2 
completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of
3 
general circulation.
Approved,